What we know.
Our Constitution is the construct for our democracy, guiding our decisions and framing the intellectual integrity for our nation. Not saying so would be the deepest flaw in one’s personal belief system.
Builders of our country are from many nationalities and ethnic origins, regardless of gender. Their contributions were and continue to expand our knowledge and broaden life’s opportunities.
Yes, our immigration system and framework need upgrades with bipartisan support for best comprehensive long-term solutions, where the security of our country is first priority and a strict but humane consistent path to eligible citizenship is expected by all who apply.
No president (Republican or Democrat) can change the price of groceries, however meaningful or inconsequential that may be to some. Interconnected raw material limitations, climate growing seasonal unpredictability, supply change obstacles, consumer preference changes, distributor cost changes, etc., etc. No edict from the White House is going to lower your grocery bill.
Rather, the health of our economy and job opportunities can still “lift all boats” and boost living standards.
To wit, average inflation year ending in September was 2.50%, slightly above the FEDs 2% target. The DOW average, general benchmark of equity markets’ health, has been trending at or near all time highs rewarding most 401(k) and IRA retirement plans for their “time in the market” trust. And, maybe more important, job growth has been respectable despite recent national partisan polarization that can create employer uncertainty.
With immigration and the economy the two key voter concerns, the presidential candidate’s intellectual capacity and personal integrity governing their many consequential decisions must be the tiebreaker vote.
It shouldn’t be close.
Peter R. Finn, Murray
