Dear Editor,
I think us engaging and pushing the conversation that affects us is more important than whining about Trump. We know what he is. We know what he is doing.
What are we doing on our side of the fence.
I think controlled or regulated borders and immigration should still be maintained, adjusted, controlled. It should be fluid, I think.
We do need to focus more on the problems at the borders. Drugs, guns, human trafficking.
Less so on immigrants who want to work jobs that most of us don't want to do anyways. This is not taking away "our" jobs.
Better acceptance of professionals needed like doctors for example from countries with demonstrated efficacy similar to our own. However, with equivalency/competency style programs/exams leading to nationally accepted qualifications.
We need them.
Open free markets should be sought more than tariffs. We are loosing out.
There is so much to be considered, honestly, that it is above my pay grade/expertise.
We can control the movement of products north and south as consumers. Our needs/wants will have more sway than political decisions made at any summit. This I can say with certainty is fact.
We can directly influence our economy. We can also directly add to the influence of inflation by demanding more transparency into government programs, spending, and contracts as our national deficits are being paid to the same countries we are imposing tariffs on.
The one per cent is protecting their interests. Lobbyists and contract winners providing paybacks or political support is what is hurting us.
We might be loosing out on better and cheaper products from elsewhere, due to tariffs making these products less affordable than the domestic, bailed out companies offering us less option, inflated pricing and technologies that are already five years obsolete. Again, restricting our options so that more products can be drip released. These constraints are simply adding to guaranteed profits lining the one per cent pockets even more... this is unfortunately a capitalism created phenomenon perpetuated by most companies… sadly.
Remember when things were built to last? Quality?
We have traded that for DIY/disposable furniture or similar product bought on credit that is likely in the dumpster before it is paid off. Products made to only last the warranty period, then fail, in order to create the need for more consumerism.
It's all quite insane and why I think the West G7 is loosing globally.
The BRICS union is now the leader economically, via GDP, and by global population.
I am not saying we need to go to communism or to join them as partners. Rather take a few pages from their playbook.
Create quality for cheaper even if that requires using import components/contracts.
The affordability increases our buying power, reduces personal debt, increases our ability for reducing national debt, either directly via payment or reduction in cost via per cent interest or debt forgiveness in favour of more mutually beneficial trade.
So borders, beneficial immigration, and trade would all be things we should be taking a serious look at!
I don't have all the answers.
None of us do.
Though we all, through our concern, input, scrutiny, etc. stand to gain.
– Kris Grasty, Maple Ridge
