An era of more than just news

Editor, OBSERVER:

An Associated Press article in the OBSERVER (Dec. 12) regarding a program that President Trump has … “began touting his administrations new Opportunity Zone program that offers massive tax breaks to developers who invest in downtrodden American communities.” This seems like a noteworthy project until one reads further into it.

Here subtle aspersions are thrown that indicate some of the largess for these developers would also benefit the President’s daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner. Both of whom have ties with companies and property within the scope of the said program – that could possibly qualify them for tax breaks that would further enhance their already substantial financial holdings. There are also allegations of others involved in obliquely benefiting from the program once it’s launched.

Now this is the type of smear journalism that really fries one’s frijoles and is not news as much as it’s a judgmental attack bordering on character assassination. It’s fake news. This type of reporting could’ve been used against FDR’s New Deal programs that helped get us out of the Depression of the ’30s by claiming certain contractors, utilities, and employers could be unfairly gaining from programs such as the CCC, CWA, FSA and FHA.

It’s also noteworthy to add that in 2008 we witnessed a recent downturn of business, loss of jobs and the beginning of a bear market which required government interference – especially monies and assorted stimulus packages to prevent a possible major recession, or worse – another depression. The government bailed out names as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, AIG, GM, Bank of America, Citi Group, Chrysler and others too numerous to list. Yes, there are corporations, industries, and businesses too big to fail. And it is necessary to save them – up to a point.

It keeps the wheels of our system lubricated and running, giving us employment so we can buy the necessities and pleasures of life and not go down that hard scrabble road of unemployment and struggle.

RALPH BURKE,

Dunkirk

Who’s most

responsible?

Editor, OBSERVER:

There is one, and only one, group of people responsible for the hardships faced by the children of those trying to enter our country illegally at our southern border … their parents.

JOE McQUIGGAN,

Bear Lake