Trump doing what he said he would do
While contemplating utopia or heaven, Merle Haggard wrote the song “Rainbow Stew.” In it, there is the line: “When a president goes through the White House door and does what he said he’d do … “
President Trump is doing exactly what he promised and was elected to do.
Before the election, many of us prayed for him. He still needs our daily prayers.
May God bless Donald Trump, his family, those helping him get his programs underway, and all the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. May God continue to bless our beloved nation.
Jacque Benderman
An effective protest: 100% boycott the IRS
It may be time to retaliate against totalitarianism. The most effective protest would be to 100% boycott the IRS. The emergency brake would be applied.
This is a grassroots movement that I would like to ignite. The elite have been doing it for a long time.
Tom Peck
America, Israel: Cost to move Gazans on you
Mr. Trump is correct in that redevelopment of Gaza while Gazans are present is nigh impossible.
Moving them out arbitrarily is genocide. The cost of rebuilding Gaza by the United Nations is $18.3 billion, which corresponds to $8,700 for each Gaza resident.
Why not offer them each that amount to move? It suggests the idea of negotiating with Gaza residents and various countries on how many Gazans they will accept, each carrying personally a negotiated amount. The cost should be borne mostly by America and Israel, since the U.S. made those bombs that caused the destruction, and Israel dropped them.
John Neill
How about downtown common sense ideas?
Some folks think of Ross’s Landing like it is a Hamilton Place mall parking lot. Like other bad ideas such as making Broad Street two lanes, the 20-plus-story office tower at “The Bend” and the 12-story condo at 200 Market Street (rejected!), the existence of parking lots on Riverfront Parkway between U.S. 27 and Market Street Bridge is just plain lousy.
› Said area is for development, not short distance parking. Walking a few blocks will not kill you.
› Other areas past the Market Street Bridge below Hunter Arts District or beneath U.S. 27 bridge are OK and will work for Ironman and Head of Hooch.
Idea: Develop the block between Second and Third streets and Market and Broad streets into a super-sized, five-level parking garage. The ground level could look like the old bus barn with shops, eateries etc.
Some things are not “rocket science,” just common sense.
Ronald Williams
Gardenhire deserves praise for courage
Sen. Todd Gardenhire’s courage must be commended for standing up and opposing the effort by some colleagues to deprive immigrant children of a public school education.
At least one legislator is quoted to the effect that a dollar spent educating immigrant children in public schools is a dollar not spent educating non-immigrant children. However, that proponent (and others) does not seem troubled by voting to give millions of dollars that could go to improve public schools to fund vouchers for private school families, many of whom have six-figure incomes and whose children already are in a private school.
Again, Sen. Gardenhire, we commend you for your courage.
Richard Gossett
Hope you like the change you voted for
Willful ignorance means Republicans are far more likely to believe opinions. Truth – in Biden’s economy the dollar outperformed other world’s currencies. Census Bureau data shows the median U.S. household wealth rose $9,600 in 2021-22 to $176,500. The U.S. economy rose a very healthy 2.3% in the last quarter of 2024 under Biden.
In 2016, federal prime rates went down, inflation went up.
Trump left, interest rates went up and inflation went down, but now interest rates are down and inflation is up to 2.9%. Trump has no intention of doing anything to lower grocery prices.
Trump’s tariffs in his first term caused inflation, but as a byproduct, the U.S. trade deficit has gotten dramatically worse. Tariffs cause the price of materials used in manufacturing to increase, thus increasing the price of U.S. finished products. Other countries impose retaliatory tariffs. Reneging on Trump’s trade deal (USMCA) with Canada and Mexico can only make things worse.
U.S. agents arrested about 21,000 unauthorized immigrants last November, but only 14,000 immigrants in the three-plus weeks since Trump took office. Facts are truth; opinions garbage.
David Bean
Chatsworth, Georgia
Times Free Press: Ditch Rant section
I am calling upon the Times-Free Press to eliminate the “RANT” comment section as a protection of true civil discourse and freedom of expression. Anyone who seeks a public voice, yet hides in anonymity – whether out of cowardice or fear – ought not be provided a public forum in the media. It is the editorial equivalent of wearing a hood or mask for people lacking the courage of their convictions.
I do not want to squelch anyone’s speech or opinion, but we must demand transparency and integrity from those making their views public.
Paul Mallchok
We can do better at voting
Did you know that only 15% of eligible Chattanooga voters actually voted in 2021 city elections? That’s appalling! I imagine that the other 85% are the folks who complain about the city government. So 1 1/2 people out of 10 voted!
You get what you vote for – or not vote for – in this case. Come on, city folks, get out and vote. There’s no excuse!
Pat Hagan