Letters to the Editor | April 8, 2025

Many American presidents have faced economic challenges, including inflation, a high rate of joblessness, or a declining stock market. Never before Donald Trump has a U.S. leader knowingly and willfully tanked the economy, but that is what is now taking place — to the detriment of all of us. The president was handed an economy that was the envy of the world, according to experts in the field. Unemployment was near historic lows, inflation had been tamed, and the stock market had reached record levels. Why would anyone tamper with success?

Trump’s massive tariffs are already wreaking havoc. Consumers and businesses are newly cautious and pessimistic, the stock market has tumbled, and the seeds have been planted for a significant boost in the cost of a mammoth number of goods. This can be expected to lead to layoffs and inflation. Trump acknowledges there will be “a little pain” — easy to say for a billionaire. Just as he said he “couldn’t care less” about increasing the cost of foreign-made vehicles, so, too, is it obvious he couldn’t care less about the harm inflicted on the people, including countless numbers of his voters. Let us hope the man who would be king is compelled to reverse course before a worldwide depression is instigated.

Oren Spiegler, Peters Township

We made a serious mistake, and we are going to do whatever it takes to make sure it never happens again. That kind of apology would have gone a long way to reduce the impact of the serious blunder that was made by Trump administration staff regarding our recent bombing mission in Yemen. The mission was disclosed in an unclassified manner. The Atlantic’s editor was one of the people included in the disclosure, and he made it public. As is Donald Trump’s way, instead of apologizing, he attacked the editor. Pete Hegseth, secretary of defense, indicated that the mission was not classified. This was another example as to why Hegseth should not be defense secretary. The information disclosed placed our pilots at great risk.

Paul Bunkin, Turnersville

Thank you very much to Elizabeth Kleinfeld for her op-ed on the silent fear that haunts caregivers. I relate 100%. I am the caregiver for my wife who has Alzheimer’s disease. I, too, have constant thoughts about everything I do, with my filter being her care and safety. I used to be able to go out for about an hour, then half an hour, and now just 15 minutes or so for a walk in the morning before she awakens. My concern is always: What if something happens to me? I am more careful about the things I do, even using a sharp knife when cooking. We have a caregiver now who doesn’t really understand. She says I can go to the grocery store, which is very close, and not worry. I tell her I’m not worried about my wife. I am worried about something happening to me that leaves her alone. I can tell by the look in her eyes she doesn’t get it. That’s OK.

Thomas O’Donnell, West Chester, mat.od@verizon.net

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