To the Editor:

Some years ago, a biography of Harry Truman was published, recording interview questions posed to the ex-president. Truman responded with honest, from-the-hip answers, straightforward and honest opinions, facts and recollections. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could get straight talk now? The title of the book was “Plain Speaking.”

We hear that tariff wars will yield a temporary inconvenience. Prices will be increased for a while. How long? Will prices return to previous levels, prior to tariffs, prior to COVID?

During this time, when poor working families struggle to pay rent, mortgages, car payments and food purchases, how will they recoup these exaggerated expenses? How do people on fixed incomes recover these additional costs? When we say we will be richer, how does that apply to poor working-class or fixed-income people? It can’t happen.

When we hear that the president will work on lowering prices the day after inauguration, when is that day? Did I miss it, or did it ever matter to a millionaire?

We heard the president say he could end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza in 24 hours. Well, how is that working out? He keeps threatening, yet no results.

Government needs to be downsized due to departments being bloated and inefficient. Well, it’s hard to argue against too much waste. Wholesale fixing and layoffs without evaluation of the personnel or the job responsibilities are questionable. Many were brought back after the realization that many of the wrong employees were threatened, then fired.

Trump, the businessman and developer, would expect research, statistical analysis and evaluation before action. Guess that doesn’t work when you want headlines over effectiveness.

If we want to look at bloated departments, we should look at congressional staff. Many legislators don’t read bills prior to voting. Maybe we could ask legislators to respond to emails requiring them to tell us five things they have accomplished last week that benefit Americans or the country. Just showing up does not count.

Leaders in all three branches of the government take an oath to work within the parameters of the Constitution. How can we suddenly decide to ignore it?

I agree illegal aliens are a problem. I agree those immigrants who violate the laws have no right to be here. Shouldn’t we make sure people we arrest and deport or imprison are indeed illegal and breaking laws? Can we take anybody now and imprison them without identification or charges? That screams Stalin-era KGB, Hitler’s Germany or Pol Pot, Cambodia.

How can we so casually dismiss parts of the Constitution but fight to the end to defend the Second Amendment? Too bad we don’t feel so strongly about the First Amendment.

Well, I guess all this is just as far-fetched as “COVID will go away when it warms up in the spring,” or maybe we should “inject disinfectant to kill the bug.” Now we hear we are going to be richer than ever.

Sorry, those on fixed incomes will not get richer. Poor working people struggling to survive will not get wealthier. They would be happy to be able to buy groceries and pay bills. Maybe he meant the millionaires will get richer.

A final puzzle would require an explanation. How can the president call people “Patriots” who attack our United States Capitol, attack the Capitol police and threaten to kill the vice president and speaker of the house? How can the president label those vandalizing Tesla cars and dealerships as terrorists? It’s tough figuring this one out.

Yes, it would be nice to hear the truth. Maybe America needs some plain speaking instead of double speak.

Fred Bartosh

Whitehall