Editor:
The Republican Party has long courted disaster, electing those who find disruption to be their highest calling. Instead of pursuing a legislative agenda, they plan culture wars and vindictive investigations to placate their far-right base.
Republicans blame Democrats for runaway inflation and being soft on crime. These are classic examples of gaslighting in a world full of war, energy shortages, health crises and corporate price gouging. The GOP has no plan for these problems other than tax cuts for the rich and benefit cuts for the poor and middle class.
Republicans continue to resist legislation that would stem gun violence, a major cause of high crime rates. The most important determinant of gas prices is the world price of crude oil over which the U.S. has little control. Inflation is a consequence of many factors such as world crises, supply chains, and labor shortages.
While prices and crime rates will fluctuate, the war that Republicans wage on women’s rights, voting rights, Social Security, Medicare, equitable taxation and fair elections will only increase. The GOP is infected with conspiracy mongers, election deniers and white supremacists.
Republicans have added trillions to deficits but now demand a balanced budget. This would require painful changes such as tax increases or cuts to defense, Medicare and Social Security. Those changes would be unpopular and require more gaslighting.
Richard A. Weiherer
Wyomissing
Source: Berkshire mont