TO THE EDITOR:

America First…jk Billionaires First. Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, a self-proclaimed “great friend” of Donald Trump, took office in 2023 with what he calls a “chainsaw method,” cutting more than half of Argentina’s ministries: education, jobs, environment, and social security. Sound familiar? Poverty immediately jumped 11% in 6 months, and the peso has tanked. This should scare you. Now the U.S. Treasury, led by Scott Bessent, has pledged Argentina a $20 billion (most likely $40 billion) bailout. High risk for Americans since Argentina trades little with us. But billionaire Rob Citrone, a longtime friend of Bessent, who had bet big on Argentina’s economy saw profits soar after the deal. There’s another motive: Argentina holds the world’s 2nd-largest lithium reserves vital for electric cars, phones, and defense tech. Seems like resource control for the tech corporations. Meanwhile, Trump says importing more Argentine beef will lower beef prices. But to make any real dent, the U.S. would have to buy 100% of Argentina’s beef, an impossible task since China already purchases about 75% of it. Midwest ranchers are already being squeezed. When $40 billion flows overseas, billionaires profit while local farmers lose. Whether lithium, loans, or livestock, the powerful protect their own, and real taxpayers (not billionaires) foot the bill.

Vanessa Davenport

Big Lake

TO THE EDITOR:

71+ million citizens marched to protest the republican agenda to cut Minnesota jobs, health care and programs that help average citizens.  Taxpayer dollars saved by abandoning hard working Americans will reduce millions in taxes for wealthy corporations and the ultra rich.  $170 billion allocated to ICE give masked unidentified agents complete freedom to destroy innocent families’ lives.  Meanwhile, republicans will build a $300 million ballroom to entertain—us?.  Questioning whether a school levy serves a good purpose, we have so far spent $60.7 million for this president’s 76 golf outings.  While federal employees lose their livelihood, republicans brag about the new gold fixtures and the crystal chandelier over the toilet in the Lincoln bathroom.  We will pay nearly $1 billion in renovations to the “free” jet gifted by a foreign government.  Kristi Noem is spending $200 million on two German built private jets. Senators and representatives will not go a day without pay. 

Tom Emmer, get off your duff and represent your constituents as you were elected to do.  Vote for health insurance and food subsidies for loyal tax payers. End the republican shut down and use your Tom Thumb to plug the wasteful tax money flow. 

Constance Rutledge

Big Lake, MN