Editor, Times-Union:
With Republicans in control of all branches of government in Washington and Indianapolis, Hoosiers are beginning to understand what it means for their lives, and it's not the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow we were promised. There's hardly a person who hasn't felt the negative impact of what Republicans have wrought.
If you're a farmer, you're wondering if another ill-conceived trade war will mean the loss of more market share, and supply chain chaos has driven up the cost of seeds, fertilizer and other inputs. Farmers face enough uncertainty without the needless trade war turmoil.
If you own a home, you may get some minor property tax relief, but it will be offset by an increase in local income taxes, and home insurance rate increases are far higher than any savings on property taxes. Someone needs to tell Todd Rokita to worry less about Notre Dame’s diversity policies, and worry more about the insurance companies that have doubled our rates.
If you have children in a public school, you are going to see cuts in everything, as your tax dollars will now be used to provide vouchers so wealthy families can send their kids to private schools. Check out the 5/14/25 Times-Union article about the Wawasee school corporation reorganization as a result of budget cuts.
If you're hoping to work at the Slate auto factory coming to Warsaw, Republicans are actively trying to kill the EV tax incentives that will impact the sale of those vehicles.
If you depend on Medicaid for your healthcare, be prepared to lose your coverage so Republicans can pay for tax cuts for the rich.
If you're a veteran, you face a fundamental change in your healthcare after 83,000 jobs are slashed at the VA.
If you buy groceries, Walmart just announced it's raising prices due to the tariffs. We were originally told tariffs were to bring manufacturing back to the USA, now they just seem designed to hurt consumers.
If you work in the RV industry, Braun warns to be prepared for a slowdown, but he failed to say that Republicans are responsible for that slowdown.
With Republican administrations in Washington and Indianapolis obsessed with harassing immigrants, DEI, gender identity and slashing essential services, it's difficult to imagine how they could be less focused on the needs of everyday Americans. It seems the only pot of gold is the one on which the President sits.
Robert Osbun
Leesburg, via email