President Trump

Richard Phillips asked a number of questions and, not surprisingly, got the results he liked since he answered those questions himself (The Capital, Sept. 18). I will try to give him my answers to some of the same questions.

“What have you done for President Trump?” I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, and hoped he would grow into the presidency. It didn’t happen.

“Were you working before he was elected?” I am retired, but I note that under President Barack Obama, the unemployment rate fell from 10% in 2009 to 4.7% in 2016, a 5.3% drop. Under President Trump, it continued to fall to 3.5%, a 1.2% drop (before the COVID virus struck — I am trying to be fair here).

“Did he get you a substantial income tax reduction through Congress?” Again, I am retired, but if I had been earning $80,000 a year, I would have received approximately $100 more per month due to the income tax changes.

But I also note that the tax reduction has resulted in the largest budget deficit since World War II.

“Did he get a substantial economic check to your family?” No, Congress did that in a bipartisan effort; Trump merely signed the bill.

“Do you believe President Trump has been overzealous in encouraging law and order?” I believe that his divisive rhetoric has not helped to resolve any issues.

“Don’t you feel a little threatened by the BLM inspired Socialist/Communist rioting and looting?” No, I don’t feel threatened, but I do deplore any violence as a means to get justice for all Americans.

“Do you personally know anyone who was hospitalized or died from the Covid-19 virus?” Yes, I do, including a family physician in his 50s who a close friend of mine worked with, who died fromthe virus.

“Do you feel better about life today under President Trump than you did under President Obama?” No.

Until 2016 I was proud to be an American. Now I hope that after this election I will be able to put the American flag out in front ofmy house again. NORM POULSEN Annapolis