1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Are you better off today than on Jan.19, 2025? 1-3% of the country might say yes, the rest of us, probably no. Although that 1-3% might be swallowing Tums after look at their stock portfolios. Trump hasn’t brought down inflation as he promised. Gas prices did decline a little, but his unauthorized war against Iran has wiped that out. And with oil hitting over $100 a barrel that will be felt in a few months, not just in gas prices. Everything that is transported by truck will feel the increased cost of transportation. 401K are feeling the effects of the war. People are frightened and feeling less secure as ICE has not been reined in. The proposed nomination of Noem.2 ( no security or law enforcement background) has people concerned. There doesn’t seem to be any reasonable explanation why Trump attacked Iran; explanations seem to change on a daily basis. Nobody knows how long that war will last, and now Trump is threatening Cuba. If Trump has his way there won’t even be midterm elections this year. All in all he seems to have exceeded the dire predictions for his term, and in only 15 months. We need the midterms to get the majority of MAGA and spineless GOP out of office to have a chance to get back to a semblance of stability and restore democracy.