Government check nothing to celebrate

Reader Karen Nuccio recently praised Donald Trump for sending her a check for $90 each for herself and another household member. Ms. Nuccio needs to know that Trump's tariffs are costing her household an average of $1,700 a year, and his war of choice with Iran is costing $1,000 a year, according to economists’ estimates.

Thus, by my calculations, she and her household are in the red for $2,520. Additionally, while Ms. Nuccio's household is losing money, the Grifter-in-Chief has enriched himself to the tune of $2.2 billlion to $2.4 billion, according to estimates from Forbes and others.

We can all expect our costs to continue to increase due to Trump's policies with the federal debt now at a record $40 trillion, no end in sight to the war with Iran, and ongoing tariffs. Inflation will increase as will mortgage rates, gas prices, and grocery prices.

Thus, I would not celebrate getting $180 in chump change from Trump.

Kim Freitag

Elgin