Biden, Obama, Clinton: Era of great prosperity

I am saddened by Matt Walsh’s Opinion in the Jan. 23 Observer.

Donald Trump was elected the 47th President of the United States. Walsh is ecstatic. I am not. 

I am fearful that our democracy and rule of law are under attack, even since last week with the fusillade of executive orders — essentially unconstitutional decrees that have shut down our government, stopping programs that impact the lives of millions of our fellow citizens and humanitarian services we provide abroad that enhance our security at home.

Not to mention his pardon of the Jan. 6 criminals who are now back among us plotting further violence. 

Walsh characterized the Biden-Harris administration and the Obama and Clinton presidencies as “catastrophes” deserving to be shamed “for what they inflicted on American families.” 

Unbelievable and untrue.

His screed about Anthony Fauci is equally outrageous. I am thankful that President Biden pardoned him.

The 20 years of the Biden, Obama and Clinton presidencies were times of great prosperity for American families. Clinton left us a robust economy and a balanced budget; Obama led us out of the Great Recession of 2008; and Biden, with Dr. Fauci’s help, led our recovery from the ravages of Covid, a return to a healthy economy and passed historic legislation with unprecedented job growth.

Walsh’s selective memory does not erase these clear benefits to American families as a result of their leadership. 

The truth as I see it is that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have left our country far better off than they found it. They deserve our thanks, not vitriol.

America needs unity, not divisiveness, calmness and not disruption.

I urge all Americans to pay attention to what is coming next. Our democracy continues to be at risk

–Raymond Roitman, Sarasota

Dear President Trump:

Congratulations on your election and return to The White House. With both houses of Congress in GOP hands, you have a unique opportunity to pursue a positive agenda to move our country forward.

We at MOK are a group of Republicans and Democrats that have been working together for three years to address local, state, and federal opportunities and problems in a civil fashion. We love these United States and despite differences in our approach we all look for ways to improve our great country. Here are a few recommendations for you to address in your first 100 days that we humbly submit:

1. Work to unite the Country and not divide it. Your victory in November was impressive in that you increased your vote with virtually all constituencies versus the elections of 2020 and 2016.

2. The economy was the most critical issue in the election, with inflation being a key item of dissatisfaction as so many families have gone backwards in their ability to afford the basics of life, food, housing, and energy. We suggest you appoint a bipartisan group focused on:

- Dealing with Government debt and spending. The bond market needs to see a credible pathway toward significantly reducing our deficits.

- An equitable tax policy needs to be developed to accomplish the above while keeping the economy growing. Incentives for investment need to be balanced with enhancing revenues.

- We are enthusiastic about DOGE and its efforts to reduce regulations, bureaucratic rules, and expenses.

- Energy policy is critical; we encourage you to look pragmatically at enhancing production of low-cost alternatives including more hydrocarbons, more solar power, and more nuclear. Massive government incentives for Wind Power and Electronic Vehicles need to be reined in.

3. Immigration Reform is imperative.

- We need a secure border.

- We need to expand the legal avenues to allow more qualified immigrants who share our values to move to the U.S. legally.

- We need to develop a pathway to citizenship for the millions of productive undocumented immigrants already in the country.

4. It is critical to address foreign policy. The United States is still the strongest country on earth, and it is in our interest to promote world peace through strength:

- We need to lead negotiations to a satisfactory conclusion on Ukraine.

- China must be contained and an invasion of Taiwan prevented.

- Our allies in the Mideast, particularly Israel and Saudi Arabia need our support in keeping Iran on its heels and avoid them from going nuclear.

- Let us immediately stop the Houthis from disrupting worldwide shipping.

- We need to incorporate changes in technology into our military and, at least in the short run, increase spending to enhance our position of strength.

Here are a couple of “Do’s and Don’ts” that we believe will enhance your

success in managing the above most important priorities:

• Do support “The Rule of Law.”
• To the extent that pardons for January 6th participants come up, Don’t pardon those involved in violence.
• Consistent with your positive campaign comment, “Success is the best revenge.” You won the election in a remarkable political comeback which speaks for itself.
• Don’t use the Department of Justice as a weapon to attack foes and former foes. Your success has proven that this can backfire.
• Do take an early trip to California to support short- and long-term solutions to wildfire prevention and mitigation.

Thanks for reading/listening and may God continue to bless America.

–Miracle on the Key group, Longboat Key