Our Country Requires Leaders Who Do Not Deceive
Dear Editor,
I am responding to Ms. Claudia Antonucci’s January 17, 2023 letter.
Patriotism is defined as strong love and devotion to one’s county. Both Democrats and Republicans love their country and are patriotic. Patriots should make their voting decision based on examining issues, a candidate’s position on the issues, a candidate’s character including telling the truth. The latter tells a lot about a candidate’s character and suitability for office.
And now let’s examine several issues Ms. Antonucci’s raised in her letter.
500 miles border wall. Trump’s administration built only 52 miles of new primary border wall that blocked access for people on foot or vehicles. The majority of miles Trump claimed were for replacements of smaller and dilapidated primary and secondary barriers that did not add to the total miles of barriers along the southern border. When you replace your backyard fence, it is a new fence but you haven’t added to the fencing around your yard.
Rebuild military. Trump is claiming that he rebuilt the military and quotes a figure of $2.5 billion. The source of this is not clear but is likely that total of funds earmarked for defense. This includes all funds not just new equipment. Operation and maintenance costs make up 40% of military budgets, and military personnel makes up 23% of military budgets. Further, funds budgeted for new equipment will be spent over many years and are only a fraction of military budgets. President Biden’s military budgets increased over Trump’s budgets. Does this mean he is more successful than Trump?
Energy independence. The US exports more oil than it uses. Trump had little influence on this.
The trend line for the US becoming a net energy exporter started under President George Bush and continued under Presidents Obama, Trump and Biden. Under President Biden, US oil production rose to a new record in 2023. An article in the Washington Post on December 31, 2023, said that under Biden, oil production in 2023 reached 13.2 million gallons per day, and this exceeded what was produced under Trump.
No Wars Under Trump. Factually incorrect. The War in Afghanistan was being fought during all four years of Trump’s presidency and ended on August 30, 2021.
PGE bills. No question that they are too high, but Trump had no effect of PGE bills. Prices for electricity and natural gas are set by the California Public Utilities Commission. Electricity prices increased significantly because of CA’s wildfires and PGE’s aging infrastructure.
Patriotism seeks what is best of our country, and this requires leaders who do not deceive. While it is a time-honored tradition to exaggerate your record when running for office, Trump’s false claims exceeded normal exaggeration and are downright deceptive. Sadly, and inexorably, they are consistent with his past behavior and character and raise troubling questions about his fitness for office. Patriotism demands no less.
–Larry Bieber, Castro Valley
