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Reviewing the facts

In response to Loyal M. Johnson Jr.’s claim that the Biden Administration “did nothing,” let’s review the facts. President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan, delivering direct relief checks, unemployment extensions, and funding for vaccine distribution. He passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to rebuild roads, bridges, and broadband, and the CHIPS & Science Act to restore U.S. semiconductor manufacturing.

He signed the Inflation Reduction Act, investing in clean energy and lowering carbon emissions. He expanded Affordable Care Act subsidies, capped insulin prices, and allowed Medicare to negotiate drug costs. Under his leadership, the U.S. saw record job growth and major investment in American industry.

Biden also negotiated the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, reducing spending and preventing default.

To call that “nothing” is willful blindness. The record speaks for itself — especially as, under Trump, the government is now shut down.

Terese Lindgren

Green Valley

Homeless issue in new phase

Recently, Mayor Regina Romero sent out a letter describing the issues of the homeless. The mayor is correct in her assumption that there are services that are being offered to the homeless in this community; however, I believe that we have entered a new phase. The low-lying fruit of people who can be helped easily, meaning willing to accept treatment housing, a path out of homelessness and addiction, is running out. We are now left with a population of people who are resistive to treatment, people who will live in squalor to continue their habits. These people cause crime and unsafe environments in our parks, washes and transit system. At this point, we need to stop listening to groups like mutual aid Tucson. They are in over their head with this population of homelessness. It is time for a tougher stance. Punitive measures are now needed for this population of the homeless. If anything, the mutual aid of Tucson are enabling these people, it’s time we stop letting them.

Sergio Mendez

North side

Huh?

The Trump administration is considering turning the American refugee system into one that prioritizes “English speakers, white South Africans and Europeans who oppose migration.”

Let me try to understand this: We’re going to prioritize new migrants who oppose migration?

Howard Weiss

Midtown

Swear in Adelita Grijalva

Fellow Arizonans, could those of you who live in other districts please call or write your U.S. representatives in Congress and ask that our Congresswoman, Adelita Grijalva, be sworn in so she can participate in votes?

Thank you.

Winston Fredrickson

Bisbee

Healthcare

I’ve needed cortisone shots for chronic joint inflammation since high school, but Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) formulary changes now deny my treatment, leaving me with steep out-of-pocket costs. The stress is so great, I may have to leave college. Our healthcare system shouldn’t punish people for being sick.

That’s why Congress must prioritize PBM reform. The Administration’s “Most Favored Nation” plan, which ties drug prices to foreign costs, won’t help patients like me—it won’t lower my expenses or stop PBMs from restricting access to needed medications. In fact, it could make things worse.

Congress left foreign price controls out of the recent health bill, but it should have included PBM reforms, which could quickly save patients money and improve access. Representative Carter’s PBM Reform Act would do just that. I urge Congress to support this legislation and finally put patients first.

Isaiah Lopez

Vail

A pending indictment

On Oct. 17, AG Pam Bondi said, “Anyone who abuses a position of power and jeopardizes our national security will be held accountable. No one is above the law.”

Perhaps this indictment slipped her mind.

Count One:

On March 15, 2025, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 798, Pete Hegseth shared classified details regarding impending airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen with a group of U.S. national security officials on the Signal app. Journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was on the chat and published the contents in The Atlantic, including the timing of aircraft takeoffs and missile launches.

Count Two:

On April 20, 2025, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 798, Pete Hegseth created a separate Signal group chat, also sharing details about the Yemen airstrikes. This chat included his wife, his brother, and his lawyer — individuals without a security clearance. The information came directly from a secure U.S. Central Command communications channel.

Hurry! The grand jury — and justice — are waiting.

Chuck Barrett

Midtown

Credit where due

I think Trump should be given sincere credit for his role in the Gaza ceasefire, and I don’t agree with those who begrudge it. I also wish him success on the long road ahead before any sort of actual peace is achieved.

Now, if he would just stop scaring the daylights out of the millions of us who fear he’s fixing on destroying our democracy, perhaps everyone would feel better.

What the MAGA supporters don’t seem to get is that those who oppose Trump aren’t wacky liberals or socialists or whatever they call us. We just want a country when this is finally (if ever) over.

Larry Fleischman

Northeast side

Healthcare costs

President Trump is right that Americans pay more for prescription drugs than patients anywhere else. I appreciate the administration calling out dysfunction in our healthcare system, but importing foreign price controls isn’t the solution. That would only increase our dependence on other countries while doing little to ensure patients actually see savings.

As a diabetic who survived a severe case of COVID-19, I know firsthand how vital affordable, accessible medication is. I take insulin daily and must monitor my glucose closely to avoid complications. Managing multiple chronic conditions has made me painfully aware of how broken the system is.

Instead of tying drug prices to foreign markets, we should focus on the real drivers of high costs — like hospitals in the 340B program that secure deep discounts but fail to pass savings to patients. Reforming 340B and advancing PBM reform would truly lower costs.

Melissa Cueva

Vail

Compact for Academic Excellence

Holding federal funds in exchange for how an academic institution teaches is wrong. If the administration is adamant about dictating moral values and behavioral terms on any institution, it should start with itself. This type of extortion tactic only leads to harm. Let colleges and universities have the freedom to teach without financial threats. It is right for the government to become the morality police at the cost of our students?

Tim O’Connor

West side

The speed of light

In a recent LTE (entitled free speech with no responsibility), I pointed out that the 1st Amendment was written about 1789, and the technology at that time to send political lies, misinformation and disinformation was by foot, horse and stage.

I must add: Now the technologies make political lies, misinformation, disinformation able to travel almost the speed of light (about 671 million mph). Just think, you can lie to millions, maybe billions of people in seconds.

When Trump’s Supreme Court (conservative originalists) weaponized the First Amendment, they failed drastically to consider the effects of “Progress”.

Just like the Second Amendment, the technology was a single-shot musket …now we have machine guns. Thank the originalists.

Even the popes know we have progressed. Slavery and racism and the role of women no longer being subservient to men, and more. Progress is educated common sense, not liberalism. It is also good government. Judges should think, not preach.

Dan Bannon

Midtown

Hate America? No Kings is anything but

The President and House GOP leaders are claiming that “No Kings” protests are anti-American, part of “Antifa,” full of Marxists and people who “don’t defend the foundational truths of this republic.”

In fact, these are peaceful protests by ardent American citizens who are concerned about the massive cuts to healthcare by Republicans and the obvious move toward authoritarianism by the current leaders of our country.

The actions of No Kings participants, unlike the actions of ICE or federal troops sent to “protect” LA, Chicago, and Portland, are truly patriotic. They manifest love of this country that is strong enough to exercise the First Amendment right to peaceably assemble. They demonstrate the essence of our democracy, and should be applauded, not assaulted as anti-American.

Melody Sears

North side