Mr. Fred Smiga needs to read his news sources more closely and study some economics before putting it down as fact (“Joe Biden is a dangerously weak leader,” Feb. 20). In his opinion piece, Mr. Smiga stated, “China apparently announced it will occupy Taiwan once the Olympics are completed.” I did an internet search trying to find where China announced this, since even Fox (semi-)News had nothing about it. What I did find was a piece in the New York Post dated Jan. 21, 2022, where GOP Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, the ranking minority member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, predicted that China would invade Taiwan after the Olympics. Rep. McCaul never mentioned that China said they would invade.
The current national unemployment rate is around 4%, and Delaware’s rate is around 5%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Again, more research would show him that the unemployment rate is lower than it has been in years, and the economy is growing.
Further research about what determines the price of energy would show that increased demand (more people driving post-pandemic and the economy opening up post-pandemic) and lower oil production by OPEC and other oil-producing entities (U.S. shale oil producers being one), decrease the supply of oil, and prices are pushed up.
Lastly, the crisis with Russia, one of the biggest producers of oil, has spooked the oil market, and speculators have bid oil prices. Basic supply and demand.
Lastly, if you truly don’t like socialism, you should refuse any pension, Social Security and/or Medicare you get because these are all socialism. Maybe the former president can share his pension he’s getting from your taxes.
Look it up!
Steve Caporiccio
Magnolia
