Who will fix the economy? For the answers, let us simply look at our nation’s history; we only need to go back to 1989.
In 1989, George H. Bush inherited a healthy economy. Four years later he lost an election to Democrat Bill Clinton. We all remember “It’s the economy stupid!” Bush left the economy in disarray. Nice job, Republicans!
In 1993 Clinton inherited a bad economy. However, by the end of his term in 2001 President Clinton not only fixed the economy, but he was also able to balance the budget. True Democrat and a true leader.
In 2001, Republican George W. Bush inherited a robust economy from Clinton. By the end of Bush’s term in 2009, his policies had led the U.S. into the worst economy since the Great Depression. Nice job, loser! Another Republican and another Bush!
In 2009 President Barack Obama inherited an economy in distress, which economists labeled the Great Recession and only a few steps from a Great Depression. Under President Obama’s leadership, we witnessed a booming economy, unprecedented growth in both GDP and job creation. True leader and a True Democrat!
In 2017 Donald Trump inherited one of the strongest economies in the history of the U.S. and we all know how that ended. Trump left our economy in shambles. No surprise there; historically Trump bankrupted his former companies, too many to list, and operated his companies and the economy in an unethical, incompetent and corrupt manner. Sound familiar? Biggest loser ever!
Now to the present: President Joe Biden inherited a failed economy. Does anyone see a historical pattern here? All created by the Republican presidents.
It won’t be easy, but yes, my fellow Americans, President Biden, a Democrat, will fix the economy; history is on our side.
Our country voted for a decent man and a patriot in 2020. Democrats will have no problem in explaining to future generations why we voted for President Biden. Good luck, my fellow Republicans, explaining to future generations why you voted for and continue to support a racist, hater, liar, misogynist and coward who attempted to overthrow our beloved democracy.
Not my opinion, just historical facts, which were kept simple so even the poorly educated, Trump’s words not mine, can comprehend and hopefully understand.
Always remember and never forget: True patriots do not storm the Capitol, nor do they support those who do.
Joe Villarreal
Edinburg
Income tax
promoted
The governor’s latest commercial boasts that by its Constitution, Texas does not have a state income tax. But is this really a good thing?
An income tax is a progressive tax, meaning that the more you make ideally the more you’ll pay (unless you consider loopholes). If you make $20,000 per year you pay little or no income tax. If you make $500,000 per year you pay much more. So, the burden lies more heavily on the rich.
Since Texas has no income tax it depends on other tax revenues and fees to function: sales tax, gas tax, license plate tags, etc. These are regressive taxes. If you make $20,000 per year you pay the same sales tax on a TV as the person who makes $500,000. You both pay the same tax on gas. You both pay the same for the plate tag. The thing is, a much larger percentage of the poorer tax payer’s income is used on these items than the percentage of the richer tax payer’s income. So, the burden of the tax now falls more heavily on the poor person.
Ideally, the state would have an income tax and greatly reduce the other taxes it places on its citizens. Of course, that will never happen. If an income tax were introduced, the state would keep all the other taxes because it would still soak the poor and it would probably provide enough loopholes that the rich would not seriously be taxed.
Still, the governor has nothing to boast about. Texas’ system hurts the poor much more than the rich.
Gerard Pahl
Edinburg
Christians
and politics
“Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people. I assure you: They’ve got their reward! But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” — Matthew 6:5-6
Oops, there are three Republican women who attended a prayer breakfast that no true Christian would go to. My suggestion would be to Google them by name, followed by the word “court.”
Mark 12:17: “And Jesus answering said unto them, ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s,’ and they marveled at him.” Caesar was one of the many gods worshipped. The Jewish God did not protect the Jews. Caesar became a God and was worshipped for 60 years before that statement was made. Caesar was the god of government and religion.
I Peter 3:1-3 “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel.” Peter instructed supposed Christian women how to act.
Does one actually think Jesus would vote for a hypocrite? Would Jesus vote for a woman?
A Christian is best defined as one who follows the teachings of Christ insofar as they are not inconsistent with a life of sin.
Hank Shiver
Mission
View beyond
tattered heart
As I stand on the bank of the Rio Grande, I see a view beyond the tattered heart of mine. I see reflections of discarded hope and abandoned dreams floating aimlessly atop the flowing current of the cold and deceiving river of illusions and delusions. And it is the debris of stolen lives and conflated motives that wash upon the river bank to wither and die in the land of glory, of hope and of dreams.
It is a view beyond the tattered heart of tired and beaten souls, who dared to dream of spacious skies and amber waves of grain. Of majestic mountains and fruited plains, and of the brotherhood, blessed by God’s very grace, and the impassioned character, nobility and faith of men and women of good will.
Once the thoroughfare to freedom, across the wilderness of time and hopelessness. A nation, incomplete and flawed, evolving and expanding with each challenge and each triumph and each loss. Mending broken fences, nourishing thirsty minds and healing broken and tattered hearts by those who loved country more than self, and mercy, truth and justice more than life itself they treasured and cherished above all.
Patriot dreams come in every color and every open mind that can see beyond the years, undimmed by fears or tears of what may lay ahead. It is the liberating strife of body, mind and heart, till selfish gain no longer stains the banner of the free, that the beauty of patriot dreams begins to thrive and the soul begins to strive to achieve the perfect harmony of life as it was meant to be — open and free, to flow with the gentle winds of time.
It takes a view beyond the tattered heart to see the beauty and the majesty of the dream that has captivated and enthralled the imagination and the envy of the world.
I still believe in the magic of dreams. I still believe in America, as it was meant to be — the land of the free, the home of the brave, and most certainly, a land for the tired, the poor and the huddled masses yearning to breathe free. We are the dream that was meant to be.
Al Garcia
San Juan
