So “Republicans emerge from their convention thrilled with Trump”? (Adirondack Daily Enterprise, July 20.) What alternate reality are we experiencing? Mr. Unity gave the longest and most mind-numbing speech at a convention ever. It was filled with lies and all the old grievances, “crazy Nancy Pelosi” while gesturing like he had a hammer. (I presume in reference to how her husband was attacked.)

He said he would never accept defeat again. What does that mean? More fake electors, cheating the system? A Supreme Court now in his pocket, thanks to the Heritage Foundation. This same Heritage Foundation is responsible for Project 2025, which is the most radical plan to change (overthrow?) our government. It is the plan to install this guy as a king … dictator?

Donald Trump is the same guy, out on bail, who owes hundreds of millions in penalties for fraud in New York, $88 million to a woman he sexually assaulted, is a convicted felon in New York, facing 80 felony indictments, which is mainly the reason he is running so he can pardon himself or fire everyone in the Justice Department … and I have read that he owes the IRS another $100 million for nonpayment of taxes. What a guy! He is nothing but a conman. The Kremlin has endorsed both Don and J.D. Vance. That should send shivers up your spine.

He never mentioned what their plans are on abortion, contraception and IVF. Maternal mortality (pregnant women dying) in red states with abortion bans is at a higher rate than states with legal access to abortion care. Their plan is a nationwide ban on abortion. I’m old enough to remember women dying in motels from trying to abort themselves or going to backstreet abortionists. Women deserve safe healthcare, period.

The plan is to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Trump submitted cuts to Social Security every year he was in office. Seniors have worked and paid into Social Security their whole lives. Many seniors are still working. Seniors are 18% of the population (approximately 58 million). Their money goes back into the economy in rents, mortgages, groceries, cars, gas, etc.

He lied about immigrants. They aren’t being let out of prisons or insane asylums. To presume they will round up and deport millions of immigrants who have fled to this country either to escape criminal gangs, or unite with family is downright frightening and illegal under international law on asylum. Many of these people are working in the fields and farms so you can have fruits, vegetables and other goods on your table. Many are working construction jobs, like the poor guys working on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, all but one of whom lost their lives in the ship accident. They had wives, children. He killed the bipartisan legislation that would have provided more border guards and judges to process the backlog of immigration claims so he could selfishly use immigration to attack Democrats. Most criminals are caught and sent back. His claims about the “wall” are laughable. He built 52 miles leaving open another 1,400 miles. His cruel program of taking children from their parents will be reinstated … that is heinous.

Republicans like to get everyone worked up over social programs, while stuffing their pockets. Trump’s plans are more tax cuts for the rich … they are wealthier now than ever. Look it up. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, although minimum wage differs from state to state, that is pathetic. Social programs provide safety nets for the more vulnerable in our society. I am all for head start and school lunch programs. These give kids a chance to grow up healthy and productive. To have a strong population, you need healthy and intelligent people.

House Speaker Mike Johnson stating they are the party of law and order is another big laugh. A criminal as their leader, who seems to have nine lives escaping the law, is enough to make me bring up my breakfast. One-hundred and seventy-three police officers were injured in Trump’s Jan. 6 insurrection. Yeah, you’re the party of law and order.

Finally, Trump said President Biden was a failure. We need him to bring back the glory days of empty grocery shelves, no toilet paper, bodies stacked up in morgue trucks. He gave biggest tax cut for the rich and corporations adding around $7.2 trillion to our national debt. What are we supposed to fund the government with? To sustain our military, satellites, space exploration and weather monitoring? He calls climate change a hoax, while fires burn and we are experiencing hotter weather than ever.

The United States under President Biden has the strongest economy in the world. We have a stock market that is a record high, padding a lot of retirement accounts. According to the House Budget Committee, more than 15 million jobs have been created under Biden, and of those, more than 800,000 manufacturing jobs. The U.S. inflation rate is down to 3%. It was around 1.9% when Trump left. Under Joe Biden, the Chips and Science Act was passed which created many of those manufacturing and construction jobs. Chips are in everything from our cell phones to TVs, computers, cars, ovens, submarines, satellites. One of the reasons it was so important is that 68% of the world’s most advanced semiconductor chips were manufactured in Taiwan. If China takes back Taiwan, we could have had a dicey situation on our hands. Roads and bridges are being repaired and rebuilt under Biden. More energy is being generated by the U.S. than other country. We don’t need more “drill, baby drill” … we’re already there.

So to finish, let’s just say Don the Con and all the assorted ghouls and liars at the RNC convention gave you an alternate reality. I would ask, fervently, please look up Project 2025. (Or Agenda 47). It will destroy our country as we know it. That is no joke. Joe Biden has always worked to better our lives. Please vote Blue, no matter who.

— — —

Jennifer Zahn lives in Saranac Lake.

–

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this commentary included an incorrect figure for the inflation rate when former President Donald Trump left office.