Analyzing the presidential debate

Re “The presidential debate: We’re the suckers and losers” (July 2):

Rafael Perez called Trump a “complete moron,” in part because Trump argued the country was “incredibly” better off under him than under Biden. Prior to the pandemic, Trump stimulated the economy with tax cuts, yielding astounding results. Black, Hispanic and female unemployment fell to historic lows. For the first time in memory, wages in the lower incomes grew faster than the upper end. The corporate tax cut resulted in corporations hiring more workers and increasing benefits. And inflation was low, as Trump handed Biden an inflation rate below 1.5%. By contrast, within a year, Biden’s policies ran the inflation rate to 9%. The price of gasoline, groceries, and mortgage rates skyrocketed. Bottom line: if there was a moron on that debate stage, it certainly wasn’t Donald Trump.

— Gregory F. Wirzbicki, Yorba Linda

Newsom’s budget woes

Re “Newsom uses spending cuts to close $46.8B budget deficit” (July 1):

Who is Gov. Newsom trying to fool? Based on a quote in a syndicated article by the Associated Press, his target is California’s citizens. AP quoted California’s governor who stated: “Thanks to a careful stewardship of the budget over the past few years…” Whoa! If that’s not a lie, at the very least it’s an exaggeration. During the past few years his administration squandered more than $100B of surplus funds, resulting in California’s current budget deficit. What’s especially galling is that Newsom went on to declare in the AP piece, “Thanks to careful stewardship of the budget over the past few years, we’re able to meet this moment while protecting our progress on housing, homelessness, education, health care and other priorities that matter deeply to Californians.” Who is he kidding?! There never was any responsible or meaningful stewardship by him or the state legislature. Perhaps our governor should change his name to “Newsum.”

— Dain Gingerelli, Temecula

California housing and the homeless

Re “Time for state and cities to focus on the older homeless” (June 28):

I don’t understand. I keep reading over and over that people are homeless because housing is unaffordable in California. Are you saying that these homeless people have jobs they go to daily but don’t make enough to afford a place to live? If this is the case, why don’t they move to a state where they can work, and find affordable housing? There are plenty of them out there.

— Lea Osborne, Woodland Hills

Where’s the justice?

Re “Judge’s order greatly expands LGBTQ+ students protection: (July 3):

A federal rule concerning LGBTQ+ students was blocked by four states and “Biden’s administration must now consider whether forcing compliance.” If his administration enforces compliance, maybe they would also consider enforcing a federal mandate made in 2005 that “requires all education institutions that receive federal funds to hold an education program in the U.S. Constitution on September 17th of each year.”

That means on the anniversary day of the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787, all students from pre-school to higher education in public or private schools that receive federal funds are required to learn about the Constitution and celebrate it on that specific day every year.

I was a teacher for 23 years, and Constitution Day (sometimes referred to Citizenship Day) was never mentioned by the administration.

Other teachers, I have asked, have said the same. In my opinion, one of the most important things we can do as educators and parents is teach our children about the Constitution, and give it the attention and time it deserves on a special day. Where’s the justice?

— Barbara Speicher, Tustin

Supreme Court immunity ruling

Since when does trying to overthrow the results of a legitimate election come under the heading “legitimate duty?” The madness never ends.

— Beth Cowden, Rancho Palos Verdes