THOUGHTS: State of the nation

Donald Trump’s brash tweets do not move critical legislation through the White House and Senate. His ego is damaging his presidency. He is his own worst enemy and needs to listen to his daughter, friends and advisors.

His nominee to the Supreme Court was well vetted and he seems to be working to improve the status of middle-class workers. Additionally, he has slowed the liberal assault on religion. I wish him well during the rest of his term.

The Senate and House have their work cut out for them. The present (June 29) plan to replace Obamacare needs revision. It shifts much of the cost from higher income taxpayers to the 55 to 64 age group and proposes severe cuts in Medicaid. The latter does need trimming but with a carving knife rather than a meat axe.

California, Illinois, New York, and other blue states have been very liberal in their handouts and exploit Medicaid by moving the cost of their programs to the federal government. How to balance the service and cost without keeping the added upper income tax is perplexing. Warren Buffett says that if the tax is rolled back he will receive a $690,000 reduction in his tax and says he doesn’t need the savings. Morally the tax should be retained but it is harder to justify than a tax to modernize the infrastructure. This group relies on electrical power grids, highways and airports to build and transport their commercial products (much more than the average taxpayer). Therefore, they should pay more to keep the systems and facilities updated.

Over the past decades Congress has crafted a fine medical plan for its members; it is now time to craft a plan for the electorate. Trickle-down economics has not, and probably will never, balance our federal budget. Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush touted the philosophy but both administrations added substantially to our national debt.

LEONARD BRANDT

Post Falls