Letters submitted by BDN readers are verified by BDN Opinion Page staff. Send your letters to [email protected]
The difference between Republicans and Democrats can be outlined by a few examples. In 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt helped pass the Social Security Act to assure workers financial support in their old age. Social Security also provided aid for those with disabilities, survivor benefits and supplemental aid for low-income citizens. Since then, Republicans have proposed cuts in benefits, raising the age to qualify, even plans to privatize it.
In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Medicare and Medicaid Act. Many Republicans voted against the bill. More than 138 million of our citizens are covered by these programs.
President Donald Trump’s massive tax cuts for the rich will be paid for in part by more than $1 trillion in cuts to these programs. The bill also cuts children’s health benefits and places limits on those still receiving help. Trump got the support for these attacks on working-class Americans from the Republican Congress.
The Affordable Care Act provided a path to health insurance for more than 44 million Americans. Supported by Democrats, Republicans in Congress have tried more than 100 times to kill it.
The Trump administration plans to undo limits on greenhouse gas emissions. They seek to weaken protection of clean water and clean air. They have opened our national forests to clear cutters and miners. Trump’s “beautiful coal” is a leading cause of global warming.
Trump’s tariffs will raise the cost of imported goods including food and medicines. Customers will see higher prices. Trump promised to deal with the rising cost of groceries; his tariffs will see those costs rise.
There is a clear distinction between Republicans and Democrats. Which do you prefer?
Ron Jarvella
Belfast
