Vote to change our course

To the Editor;

Since taking office, President Donald Trump has had all three branches of government on his side, so he could have gotten anything he wanted done. He promised a “Great Healthcare Plan” that would lower drug prices and lower insurance premiums, and promised to bring down the cost of living. Apparently, a military war with Iran, and trade wars with the rest of the world, were more important to him, and the Republican-controlled Congress did nothing to change his mind.

The Iran war has cost us, the U.S. taxpayers, $44 billion, so far, and despite estimates the war would be over in weeks, there is still no end in sight. Thanks to all these wars, the cost of heating oil has nearly doubled, gas and coffee are up by more than 30%, and beef by more than 20%.

As for making health care more affordable, rather than The Great Healthcare Plan, the Republicans passed a Big Beautiful Bill while medical insurance premiums, for those without employer-sponsored coverage, will rise more than 20%, while those with employer-sponsored insurance experienced the largest premium increases in 15 years.

Are you better off now than you were two years ago? Between now and Nov. 3, vote for Troy Jackson for U.S. Senate and Matt Dunlap for U.S. House of Representatives. I believe we need to change our course, away from chaotic self destruction, and toward a vibrant, compassionate economy that makes all of us better off, not just the rich. You can vote, in person, from Oct. 5 to Oct. 29.

Bob Lodato

Charleston