To the editor:

In Response to Kathleen Callard’s letter to the editor titled “Biden’s accomplishments” wherein she claims “President Biden has had a lot of accomplishments and the list is getting longer than expected.” Well, to quote Samuel Jackson in Pulp Fiction, “Allow me to retort.”

This is far from what the statistics show. Let’s look at gas prices. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reveals that gas prices more than doubled between 2020 and April 2022 from $1.84 a gallon to $4.11. These gas prices have a direct effect on how Americans view the economy. (Washington Post, “Biden’s economy vs. Trump’s in 12 charts, Abha Bhattarai, Dec. 23, 2023).

Now, let’s look at the Biden Administration’s effect on home prices. Again, according to the Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, home ownership has become far less accessible during the Biden Administration with home prices rising an incredible 49% during the Spring of 2020 to the Fall of 2022. Moreover, mortgage rates have doubled in the past two years!

Moving on to inflation, The Biden Administration has accomplished the highest rate of inflation in more than 40 years. The U.S. consumer has been hit with higher costs for just about everything including groceries, gas, cars and health care. (Washington Post, ‘Biden’s economy vs. Trump’s in 12 charts, Abha Bhattarai, Dec. 23, 2023)

Let’s now look at this administration’s accomplishments on interest rates. During the Biden presidency, the central bank has raised interest rates 11 times! Currently around 5.25 to 5.5% which is the highest in 22 years. (Ibid).To make matters worse, the federal deficit grew by 23% in the last year alone, leaving the U.S. with a $1.7 TRILLION shortfall. (The U.S. Office of Management and Budget).

All one has to do is look at their food, utility bills and the overall cost of living since President Biden has taken office to realize things are moving in the wrong direction. For the average American consumer there doesn’t appear to be any reason to celebrate Biden’s accomplishments.

Steven Salz

Cape Coral