To the editor:

This letter is in response to the letter that appeared in The Sentinel on Feb. 7 by Doug Sellers. In his letter, Mr. Sellers parrots President Trump by stating, “Trump has accomplished more in two years than any other president in eight.” Any student of history would know that numerous presidents have accomplished more in their first two years than Trump has. One only has to look at the accomplishments of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Unlike Trump, who inherited a growing economy, Roosevelt took office in 1932 in the midst of the Great Depression. In his first 100 days, he enacted more major legislation than Trump did in two years.

Mr. Sellers goes on to say, “Very few presidents have gotten to their office as much or worked as hard as this guy.” This comment flies in the face of the fact that this president has spent more time playing golf on his golf courses and in executive time, than perhaps any other president in history. He also asserts that the wall would be a good investment paying back “double, triple, 10 times, who knows, maybe even a hundred times that amount over the years.” These figures appear to be nothing but a figment of his imagination. Where investments in roads, bridges and other infrastructure would pay for themselves in increased commerce, there is little evidence that a wall would have any pay back and might actually result in a decrease in economic activity.

My final point goes back to my original letter about priorities. President Trump had two years in office while his party held a majority in the United States House of Representatives and the Senate. Had a wall along the southern border been a priority for President Trump and the Republicans in Congress, why was it not funded during those two years? The answer is a lack of leadership.

Harry Geedey

Lewistown