In economic context, still a tie?

Trump vs. Obama economy? A draw | Column, Feb. 11

Graham Brink’s column comparing the Obama and Trump economy is gutsy, as it will please no one. The Trump side of the universe rails at any uplift of the Obama presidency compared to Trump, and Obama loyalists will decry all comparisons as unfair and based on lies, distortions and half truths. In a sense, both are right: As Brink notes, presidents have little, if any, power to control the economy, and a range of factors outside of the control of the White House must be taken into consideration. So, let’s take into consideration the fact that the Trump economy has been juiced with the proceeds of tax reductions funded by deficits, which create a false uplift of the economy because deficits are money we are stealing from the future; our kids, grandkids and great grandkids will be saddled with a payback from their future livelihoods. Let’s also take into consideration the fact that President Obama’s policies were instrumental in successfully pulling the United States out of the worst recession since the Great Depression. Is it still a draw?

Jon Crawfurd, Gulfport

Be careful what you wish for

The Constitution

To those of you who wish to dramatically alter our form of government, I have one question: Which parts of the Constitution do you want to get rid of? Should we throw out the right of free speech? Religious freedom? How about the right to have a fair trial with a jury of our peers? How about the right to not have our property seized by the government without cause? Should we throw out the 13th Amendment and allow slavery again?

Wayne Parlow, Ridge Manor

Too much of a good thing

Now comes the buildup | Feb. 11

I recently was in downtown St. Petersburg and saw the high-rise condos and apartment buildings being built. We need to think about how an increase in population will affect our community and our quality of life. At some point, you need to limit or stop building these large buildings. How do you plan to supply drinking water to all of the increasing population? How do you plan to handle the increased sewage? We seem to have problems with it now. How do you plan to dispose of the increase of garbage? Traffic is very congested now. How will it be like with more of an increase in population?

John Phillips, St. Petersburg