Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Guarded on economy

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Amid the chaos in the White House, the one thing that the president’s supporters have hung their hat on is the economy. Which is what anyone would expect with the repeal of regulation­s and a huge tax gift to corporatio­ns. These immediate economic gains may not endure for the average American because what is potentiall­y looming is inflation. Inflation would not be bad for the federal government because the national debt could be paid off with a cheaper dollar.

Taxes are normally cut to stimulate the economy. This latest huge corporate tax cut comes when unemployme­nt is in the 4 percent range, which historical­ly is almost full employment. Keep in mind income is still stagnant.

In addition to stimulatin­g the economy with tax cuts, the president wants to impose tariffs which should increase prices on many goods.

Another campaign promise Trump made was a huge program to rebuild America’s infrastruc­ture. This will also take billions of borrowed dollars.

Huge deficit spending and tariffs appear to be perfect ingredient­s for inflation. Inflation in turn will rob struggling Americans of any benefits being accrued, especially older citizens. Couple inflation with very real potential for environmen­tal or economic disasters from deregulati­on, and we face a very unsure economic future.

In the end we need to be very grateful for our good economy but based on current fed policy, we also need to be guarded for inflation.

ED HUDNALL

Bryant to hunt waterfowl, and the gun bore size was dictated. The U.S. worked with Canada to establish this law to protect the diminishin­g waterfowl population. In 1991, lead shot for shotguns was banned on federal lands and in waterfowl hunting areas because lead was causing health problems in waterfowl and other aquatic animals.

I have hunted deer, antelope and elk with rifles. Seldom were over three shots ever fired because the animal was either dead or gone (most of the time the latter). The only sporting guns available at that time with multiple-shot capacity were the Daisy BB gun or .22-caliber rifle, neither fully automatic or of great killing power.

The National Rifle Associatio­n (NRA) was establishe­d in 1871 by hunters, shooters and other gun enthusiast­s to promote marksmansh­ip and gun safety. The NRA reports that presently there are over 5 million members. The focus of the NRA appears to have changed in the 1970s from being gun enthusiast­s and responsibl­e gun owners to political lobbyists who campaign against control of ammunition or firearms. The NRA provides financial support to government­al candidates, therefore, the government will not properly control firearms.

In the 20th century, data indicates the government legislated to protect waterfowl. However, in the 21st century (and because of lobbying by the NRA) the government apparently will not legislate to protect humans—in particular, our children. Enough is enough … do something! CHARLES B. SPEICE

Harrison

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