To farmers beset by his policies, Trump is still the salt of the earth
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A fulsome debate on energy, regulations, and taxes is essential, but the current Congress and administration seem incapable of delivering such a debate. Rather, we seem to be paddling full speed toward the lip of the dam trusting more in ideology than in common sense.
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Tom Ford
West Falmouth
But not to worry — subsidies will soften the blow of Trump's tariffs
Tim Keegan suggests toward the end of his op-ed, 'I'm a farmer, and I back Trump's tariffs even if they will hurt me,' that he is not, in fact, going to be hurt by Donald Trump's tariffs because he expects to receive 'trade interruption payments' that will shield him from financial harm.
So, what was the point of running this opinion piece when its entire premise is faulty?
Does Keegan care about the harm Trump's tariffs will cause those of us who are not going to be compensated, who will lose jobs because of reduced demand for products due to price increases, or whose small businesses will be forced to close? Whatever happens, Keegan will get his. The rest of us are on our own.
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Roy Pardi
Somerville
These Trump supporters earn no sympathy
The Vermont dairy farmer seemingly assumed that deportations would address our 'border problem' by weeding out the 'bad people.' Now he's shocked that he and his business might suffer because of Trump.
The Iowan, meanwhile, is confident that he will be bailed out by a big government subsidy. Indeed, the current House budget bill has proposed increasing farm subsidies by about $50 billion over the next 10 years.
I grew up on an Iowa farm, and I know the challenges they face. But I also know the safety net that has held up Iowa agriculture for decades. The farmers have their (corn) cake and eat it too.
Tobin Wirt
Sandwich
They were sold a bill of goods
Vermont dairy farmer Dustin Machia says he voted for Donald Trump for president last year in part because 'we had a border problem. ... We don't need the drugs and the gangbangers.' Now he feels misled because he was under the impression that 'they weren't going to come on farms and take our guys.'
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Yes, I would tell Machia, you were misled, but it was by right-wing media that told you a) to fear immigrant crime and b) that Trump would make you better off.
Mark Hooker
Newton Highlands
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