SAUNDERS: ‘Advice was flawed’

I followed Richard Saunders' advice and consumed some real news. Here is some of what I discovered about the economy, the border and fentanyl.

Economy: Mr. Saunders stated that the current inflation rate in the U.S. is 3.4%. This was true for 2023. He neglected to state that the 2021 inflation rate was 7%, and the 2022 inflation rate was 6.5%. The inflation that occurred in 2021 and 2022 did not magically disappear. The current inflation rate is on top of the past two years’ worth of inflation.

The Border: Mr. Saunders specified that as of Dec. 27, 2023, the current administration is deporting individuals at a rate 3.5 times higher per month than the previous administration. He failed to mention that in fiscal year 2020, there were 405,036 border encounters with people unauthorized to be in the United States. In fiscal year 2021, there were 1,662,167, in fiscal year 2022 — 2,214,652, and in fiscal year 2023 — 2,063,692. These figures don’t include the “got-aways.” 

Fentanyl: Mr. Saunders conveyed that the fentanyl surge started and peaked under Trump. “In calendar year 2023, DEA seized more than 77 million fentanyl pills and nearly 12,000 pounds of fentanyl powder nationwide. This is the most fentanyl seized by DEA in a single year. It amounts to more than 386 million deadly doses of fentanyl — enough to kill every American.” This quote was taken directly from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s website.

Mr. Saunders' advice was flawed. He stated that everyone needs to consume real news. I’d like to amend that by saying that we all need to consume real and complete news.

BARBARA NOLAN

Coeur d’Alene