Your Letters for Aug. 22, 2025

Gaslighting 101

We all know the term gaslighting: the manipulation of a person so they question their perception of reality.

Gaslighting in politics has a broader agenda and a simpler definition. It's called lying. If the lie is repeated often enough or long enough, it is eventually perceived as truth.

We are now being gaslighted (lied to) on multiple fronts. The one I am addressing today is tariffs.

The concept of tariffs is misunderstood or intentionally ignored by the current administration. We are led to believe (lied to) that tariffs paid by exporting countries will refill America's coffers. The reality is that exporting countries pay nothing. Tariffs are paid by the importing U.S. companies. These added costs are passed along to the consumer.

Benefits of MAGA tariffs are debatable. History tells us tariffs are generally bad. This economic policy is a tax. In fact, it is the largest tax placed on the American people in history (between $2,400 and $5,000 per household per year). Skeptics need to simply look at their last bill for groceries, clothing, appliances or automobiles.

So, my politician friends, no more gaslighting. I am tired of being lied to.

See you at the midterms.

Paul B. Terry, DVM
Plattsburg, Missouri

Where is America headed?

It is sad to think our forefathers crafted such a magnificent document as the Constitution and to see the Social Democrats who have taken over the Democrat Party trying to pervert it. Make no mistake, the Texas Socialist Democrats with their pablum and teething actions of leaving their state because they don’t like district realigning is a childish action. Keep in mind, realigning districts is not a new concept. It has been going on since the beginning of time. As President Obama once said, “Elections have consequences.”

You Dems still don’t get it and I am glad because you have lost the concept representing the working class and relinquished that title to the Republican Party. The Dems’ messages are as follows: We must have DEI. No longer is most qualified important. This is backed up by the idea if you are male and can’t compete with other males, try the female sport. We can solve all problems by throwing money at it. We care more about people who break our laws by entering this country illegally than we do Americans. Taxpayers need to pay for the education of these children who are here illegally at the expense of diluting the education of the American children.

Thank God the Dems were unsuccessful at jailing President Trump with Russia, Russia, Russia, and the failure of the assassin who tried to kill Trump. God may have well saved this blessed nation. This changing of American values has come to an end.

When I hear Congressional Representative Delica Ramiez say, “I am a Guatemalan first and an American second,” it should disturb all Americans! When I see Democrat Elizabeth Warren and other Democrats endorsing a Communist for Mayor of New York, as an American, you should be very concerned. Mamdani guises as a Socialist Democrat but make no mistake: He is a Communist. When you allow foreigners to enter this country only to congregate in a group of their ethnicity, this is the representation you get. They hate America and want to bring their concepts to change America.

Now, for all you concerned Dems who think I have no sympathy, I challenge you to go to the bridges and other places where you find the homeless or an illegal and offer them a place in your home. People like Mamdani have made it clear that the government will provide all these needs to the people at the expense of the rich Americans. The definition of rich means being an American.

I wish Elizabeth Warren and others like her would move to these Socialist/Communist countries where they think they would be happy. I find it strange that the Democrat Party cannot find one thing the Republicans do that satisfy them. I do understand why they feel that way. It’s because we now have a businessman running the country instead of the classic politician who says, “We have a problem, and I need more money.” President Trump has sent a message to the world that living off the American dollar is over. Unlike Obama, he does not bow to other leaders trying to apologize for our success. Instead, he says come join us in an equal sharing of trade.

My last word to the Dems is this: Keep up the whaling and crying because you have no message. And I think you will see Republicans in power for years to come because the majority of Americans do not agree with your juvenile actions.

Thanks to President Trump for bringing some law and order to this country.

Richard Sharp
St. Joseph