Letters: Trump’s focus on billionaires; Engage in healthy aging

Trump’s focus on billionaires

Most Americans would agree that cutting wasteful government spending is a good thing. The U.S. needs to get its $36 trillion deficit under control and would definitely benefit from simplifying many government processes.

But are the culprits really climate and cancer research, veterans’ services, national parks and financial oversight?

Even foreign assistance, which accounts for less than 1% of the federal budget, more than pays for itself by promoting international stability, preventing pandemics and strengthening national security.

It’s not hard to imagine why a billionaire president, with 13 billionaire cabinet members, and its de facto leader, the richest man in the world, is laser focused on making the billionaire tax windfall permanent — at the expense of desperately needed VA services, Medicaid and Social Security benefits for hard-working Americans.

Our national debt exploded after Trump’s first term tax giveaway to the ultra-wealthy. DOGE’s sacking of dedicated government employees, while eliminating programs that keep us safe and healthy, cannot possibly recover the $3 billion a day interest on our national debt.

Trump and Musk promote their political schemes on their social media platforms where they amplify and disseminate lies that fuel resentment. No, we never sent $50 million worth of condoms to Gaza, and tens of millions of dead people aren’t receiving Social Security checks!

Getting our nation’s fiscal house in order would be a very worthwhile endeavor if only it were being done by sincere, knowledgeable civil servants seeking to make life better for all Americans and not just the billionaires.

Engage in healthy aging

Following a primarily plant-based healthy diet can raise the chances of “healthy aging” at age 70, according to a study of 105,000 people published last week in the prestigious journal Nature. The study defines the status of healthy aging as intact memory, lack of depression or other chronic health condition, and ability to perform basic physical tasks like climbing stairs or carrying groceries. Sadly, it found that less than 10% of their subjects had actually achieved healthy aging by age 70.

We are fortunate to live in a place and time that offers every opportunity to engage in healthy aging. Our supermarkets offer a rich array of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and grains, as well as grain and nut-based meats, milks, cheeses and ice creams. Most fast-food franchises and family restaurants follow suit. Many neighborhoods provide a gym for regular workouts, or a park for healthful walks. All we need is the will to engage in healthy aging and raise that dismal 10% figure.

Republicans’ dangerous war on science

If you are alive today, be sure to thank science.

Consider this: In 1900 the average U.S. life expectancy at birth was about 47 years. Today it is over 77 years ... 30 additional years in just over a century.

As Trump and his fellow Republicans attack science, remember that this dramatic increase in American life expectancy didn’t just happen.

We’re living longer and better because of science, including:

• medicines for now-curable infections (such as strep) and ailments (such as diabetes)
• surgeries for now-treatable conditions (such as stents for cardiovascular disease, knee replacements for arthritis)
• treatments that increased cancer survival rates
• healthier lifestyles, resulting from discoveries about diet and exercise
• vaccines for childhood illness that once were common killers
• vaccines for other conditions (such as COVID, pneumonia)
• improved agricultural production and nutrition
• ways to combat pollution and other environmental threats
• weather forecasts

These advances — and more — are based on solid science supported by the government. Drug companies and other industries don’t do their own basic science — they depend on research supported by the federal government.

Imagine where we would be without the medical treatments available to us — or the healthier food, or the advanced warnings of storms. Science produces tangible benefits — to our country and to the world.

But we’re not done. Challenges will always be here — and we need science to help us meet them. That’s why Republicans’ war on science is dangerous.

The best way to protect future generations is to invest in scientific research.

‘The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly’

I suggest that Congressman GT Thompson revise the format of his newsletter to read “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.” Here are just a few of the many possible items for The Ugly list.

The disgraceful treatment of thousands of dismissed federal employees, many of whom were subjected to unfounded accusations of laziness and fraudulent behavior.

The takeover or purchase of Greenland without consultation of the citizens of Greenland or of Denmark.

The proposal to make Canada the 51st U.S. state without consent of Canadian citizens.

The appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services, someone without medical qualifications and ignorant of medical science’s views on vaccinations.

Mr. Thompson, I think your constituents would love to hear your views on these issues and many other daily pronouncements by the president that belong on the Ugly list.