Dear Editor,

Ms. Mauer’s response to Bill Thibedeau’s deserves a response. Her assertions consist solely of unsupported claims and hyperbole, which is typical of how Trump supporters argue. Truth and evidence are no longer relevant in a world where a political party claims any election it loses was rigged, any news it dislikes is fake, and supports its claims with “alternative facts,” which we once called “lies.”

The fallacies in Ms. Mauer’s letter are too numerous to mention. She begins with name calling, claiming Biden is a “puppet” of the “far left” without defining either term. The “far left” must be larger than I thought since 81,283,098 Americans voted for him. That’s a lot of puppet masters. And let me save Ms. Mauer the trouble of responding by telling me the election was “rigged.”

Ms. Mauer also ignores two hundred years of American history, and implies illegal immigration did not exist until Biden took office. And while illegal immigration is a concern, there are plenty of American citizens that commit violent crimes each year. I wonder if Ms. Mauer is concerned about American citizens who commit crimes? Crimes such as interfering in elections and violating laws governing classified documents. Of course not. Because the cult doesn’t care about crimes committed by cult members.

To answer Ms. Mauer’s questions:

Do you want open borders?

This is a typical Republican straw man argument because the Democrats have not advocated for open borders. I want sound policy that protects America and is also compassionate. I don’t want little Mexican children dying in the heat.

Do you want higher gasoline prices?

This assumes both that Biden has control over gas prices and that a Republican President would also have such control and would do better. The truth is our government has very little control over gas prices. Gas prices are largely a factor of what oil-producing nations decide to do.

Do you want higher prices on our grocery items?

Of course not. What is Ms. Mauer’s evidence that Republican policies will reduce the rate of increase in grocery prices more than Democratic policies would?

Do you want higher taxes?

I want higher taxes on the rich. I want to go back to the Eisenhower days where to top marginal tax rate was more than 90%. There was a time when Republicans understood economics before they adopted what the first President Bush called “Voodoo economics.” That would bring in eighty billion dollars in revenue each year. I want higher taxes on yachts and private planes. I want higher taxes on corporations that harm the environment.

Do you want more inflation?

Of course not, that’s why I vote for Democrats. Democrats tax the rich and reduce deficits while Republicans cut taxes for the rich and increase deficits.

Do you want higher interest rates?

The assumption here is that a President can control interest rates, which is largely false. I want sound economic policy, which begins with making the rich pay more so we can try to eat away at the deficit Trump created.

Can you afford an EV car?

I drive a 2016 Dodge Ram. I suppose Ms. Mauer is trying to argue that EV cars are more expensive and that climate change is a hoax. Yawn.

Do you want more wars and more of our soldiers losing their lives?

As a veteran, what I want is a President who doesn’t salute North Korean generals and is not encouraging Putin to invade NATO countries. Intelligent people learn the lessons of history. Allowing Trump’s pal, Putin, to invade Ukraine and other nations only encourages more aggression, and it’s better to put a stop to that now than to wait until Putin tries to move into western Europe.

Do you like the WOKE policies?

Another undefined term. If WOKE means having compassion for others, not being a racist, and valuing truth and reason, you can sign me up for WOKE. Jesus was WOKE.

Do you like parents not having any say in our children’s education?

Voters elect school boards. It’s called democracy. The Trump cult doesn’t like it when elected school boards try to teach our kids the truth about things like slavery. What I don’t want is some ignorant evangelical racist having any say in what the public schools teach our kids. Democracy only works when people think, and that’s why the Trump cult is so hostile to education. If you don’t like truth, home school your kids and brainwash them with whatever unsupported garbage you want. They will turn out like Jenna Ellis, a convicted felon.

Do you believe Bidenomics is working?

The evidence says it is. And it’s working despite Trump cult opposition to every attempt Biden makes to improve the lives of Americans.

Mark Cohen

Peak to Peak