TNT letters: ‘Let’s go Brandon’; skyrocketing inflation; a gun for everyone?

Expletive by another name

Re: “Three cheers for ‘Let’s go Brandon’” (TNT, 11/26/2021)

The TNT’s (decision to publish) Marc Thiessen’s anti-Biden opinion piece was disappointing. Thiessen promotes using “Let’s Go Brandon” as a less offensive proxy for the expression “(expletive) Joe Biden.” However, using “Let’s Go Brandon” in this way serves to facilitate, not reduce, the dissemination and magnification of the offensive notion.

Should we feel comforted by emerging coded expressions of racism and white supremacy? No. The same applies to “Let’s Go Brandon.” Putting a bow on a box full of dung does not eliminate the stink. To sensible people, it makes the smell even more offensive, and it certainly is not “hilarious.” But perhaps most offensive is the misinformation Thiessen slips in about Biden’s presidency.

Biden followed what historians are already calling one of the worst presidents ever, and is working hard to correct the many problems Trump created: children torn from their parents at the border; environmental protection setbacks; household detergent response to the pandemic; failed Afghanistan withdrawal that made Biden’s job more difficult; and a failing economy for everyone but the rich. Biden’s policies are extremely popular among the public. His predecessor had no serious policies — other than to give tax breaks to billionaires.

John Alessio, Steilacoom

Federal spending

In the last two years our federal government has spent billions in the form of eagerly received stimulus payments — about half of which went to people who did not really need it.

Then it spent billions more in COVID-19 relief — much of which was poorly allocated, abused and even counterproductive.

Then, at the worst possible time, it wants to spend trillions — mainly on additional social programs of often questionable merit or practicality.

With all due respect, people should dream on when they claim that all of this will be properly financed by “soaking the rich” and “chasing tax cheats.”

The real results have only begun to arrive: First, deeper debt. Second, the dollar’s devaluation. Third, even more inflation.

Next year, Americans obviously need to think long and hard about for whom they vote. Meanwhile, get ready for an even bumpier economic road ahead.

Thomas Hoyle, University Place

Guns: Enough is enough

More innocent victims for conservatives’ obsession with the almighty gun. Guns are sacrosanct. Children are not.

Death is a daily occurrence. Children, police officers, family and bystanders are the victims. Schools, malls, churches and neighborhoods are scenes of mayhem. Our outrage is fleeting and numbed to the tragedies because we know nothing will change. Demand for sensible gun laws meets a powerful gun lobby and a Congress beholden to it. We are badgered to buy a gun. We are swimming in guns. Getting one is easy. If the good guys have guns they can kill the bad guys. The reality is different.

Children shoot one another. Guns are stolen. Parents are complicit or careless. Where is my constitutional right to be safe outside my home without having to be on the alert for someone carrying and their intent? Why does the Second Amendment seem to supersede all other laws and rights?

Dylan said: “And how many deaths will it take till we know that too many people have died? The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind.”

Sadly, no one is listening, and those who can save lives are not willing to say enough is enough.

Kathy Lorimer, Sumner