This letter is in response to “Open your eyes,” published in the Aug. 25 issue.
The letter writer raised some very valid concerns about the current state our country is in and I’d like to share my views on a few of them.
Regarding the border, yes, our borders are still open with many immigrants seeking asylum waiting for court dates. This has been a problem looking for a solution for years.
Instead of working in a bipartisan fashion, the GOP has not shown a willingness to do anything but point fingers. The prior administration did nothing to solve the issue for the first two years in office.
Gasoline and other petroleum products have high costs but not as a result of anything the current, or past, administration has done.
We are suffering from poor energy policies that were created years ago that encouraged importing cheap foreign oil, which is referred to as heavy crude. This imported oil required specially designed refineries to process it.
Much of the oil produced in the U.S. is lighter and cannot be processed in U.S. refineries and is exported. Which is why we continue to import much of our crude even though we are the top oil producer in the world.
The price of these imports fluctuates when foreign countries manipulate their export quotas. The resolution is for oil companies to develop new refining capabilities they are apparently not willing to do.
As for the billions allegedly spent on programs to benefit “cronies,” I’m not sure to whom the letter writer was referring.
I do know that the infrastructure bill that was passed by the current administration provided funding for, among other projects, rebuilding America’s crumbling roads, bridges and other transportation needs.
The Chips Act supports the building of chip plants in the U.S. and creating programs at local colleges to train American workers to work in that high-tech environment.
And in case anyone has forgotten, the tax cuts of 2017 benefited the top 1 percent and corporations but penalized taxpayers in New Jersey and New York by limiting our SALT deductions (state and local taxes).
Chris Gluchoski
West Milford