Letter to the Editor: Submitted by Karen Pratte

To the Editor:

Affordability is real and a crisis even though Trump tries to deny it. Prices for groceries, gas, and health insurance have skyrocketed. Why is this happening? Connect the dots.

Trump illegally imposed massive tariffs on countries which resulted in higher prices paid by consumers.  Ordinary Americans are now paying more to feed, clothe, and provide necessities for their families. Although only the U.S. House of Representatives has the power to impose tariffs, our elected representative did absolutely nothing as small businesses closed their doors, workers lost jobs, and farmers lost markets.

Next came the Big Beautiful Bill’s massive tax cuts for billionaires paid for by ordinary Americans through historic cuts to Medicaid, food assistance programs, and  ending the Affordable Care Act tax credits. Even though Medicaid helps veterans, people with disabilities, seniors in nursing homes, and low-income families, our elected representative enthusiastically backed Trump’s billionaire and corporate tax cuts. Health insurance premiums have soared, and people are now going without insurance coverage and delaying medical care because they simply cannot afford it.

Trump then decided to go to war dropping tons of bombs on Iran. Iran retaliated by closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route through which oil is transported to much of the world. Fuel prices spiked and continue to rise. Once again, our elected U.S. House representative has done absolutely nothing and remains complicit.

People are now forced to choose between filling up their gas tanks or buying food or paying for medicine. When you connect the dots, the picture becomes clear: our U.S. House representative is not working for us, showing loyalty to Trump and not to constituents.

Karen Pratte
Waterville