‘Biden must go.’ Clearly, a younger candidate should replace him. | Letters to Editor

Drop Biden, put in banker Dimon

President Biden is the perfect foil for Donald Trump. Biden’s progressive agenda is viewed by Republicans and by many moderate Democrats and Independents as extreme and unsustainably costly.

Biden’s frailty and gentlemanly manner are no match for Trump’s vigor, his bullying and his well-honed dishonesty. Trump’s accusations on Biden’s fitness for office were validated by Biden’s disastrous performance at the recent debate.

Democrats are divided on what to do. Loyalists remain supportive — but calls for replacing Biden are accelerating. The stakes are monumental.

Biden must go. Clearly, a younger candidate should replace him. The candidate also must be attractive to Independents and Trump-weary Republicans in the decisive swing states. Unattractive politicians there are too elitist, too progressive, and/or uninspiring. Newsom and Harris do not fully meet these standards; Klobuchar and Whitmer may.

Perhaps the best option is Jaime Dimon, the highly regarded JPMorgan Chase CEO and conservative Democrat. Democrats should select the candidate with the highest potential to win, not necessarily the most-deserving, most-experienced, best-connected, or nicest.

Rep. Jim Clyburn should be called on again to convince Progressives that their all-out support of the replacement candidate is critical. A re-elected President Trump would reverse many progressive advances.

Russ Treat, Richland

Trump agenda is wrong for nation

I’m adding some specifics to (the) June 6 letter about the Republicans’ Project 2025.

The plan is to fire tens of thousands (yes! Up to 50,000) longtime career civil servants and replace them with loyalists. I doubt that firing competent staff will help with government efficiency, including agencies such as Social Security and the IRS.

The project lists many plans for education: eliminate Head Start; … give power to the states but then forbid some curricula (including at universities); allow more charter schools but loosen requirements for them and allow them to exclude students.

The plan is to lower corporate taxes, which, from Trump’s previous term, has shown to greatly increase the federal deficit.

There are plans for reporting on people: the Census Bureau will have to collect data on family structure; states will be required to report all abortions, including reasons, method and mother’s state of residence.

Most devastating for our future, given the scientific reality of climate change, is the plan to “end focus on climate change and green subsidies” and emphasize fossil fuels.

Republicans want a less efficient government, no efforts on climate change, more government collections of personal data, and a higher deficit. I don’t.

Joyce Scherpelz, Richland

Water trees more during heat wave

Please give your trees extra water during this heat wave.

A tree that shades your home can cut your air conditioning bills. Trees also cool the air through evaporation. They draw water up from the soil and let it evaporate through their leaves or needles -- like living misters. Trees can shade concrete and asphalt. That shade prevents the “heat island effect,” helping neighborhoods cool off at night.

Trees that have been healthy for decades can’t handle the extreme heat of recent years. Watering your lawn won’t keep trees alive and healthy anymore.

A deep soaking with a garden hose or soaker hose, once or twice a week, will give them the extra water they need. (Let the soil dry out between waterings, though.)

The Mid-Columbia Community Forestry Council, trees4you.org, has information on choosing, planting and caring for trees in our area. See their tree watering tips at https://www.trees4you.org/weather-and-watering.

Gail Taff, coordinator

Urban Heat Resilience working group Sustainable Tri-Cities