Lynn Rudmin Chong: Donald Trump’s challenge for NH Gov. Kelly Ayotte

To The Daily Sun,

It seems President Donald Trump has thrown our Gov. Kelly Ayotte a challenge. "Because war costs so much" (his voice on NPR short minutes ago, On Point Show), he says, "we can't pay for child care and Medicare and those other things. We have to spend on defense. We have to defend the country! The states have to do those other things. If they must raise their taxes, they should." This is very close to his language. So, our New Hampshire with, now, no income tax, no sales tax ― what do you say, Gov. Ayotte? Property taxes already strain to pay for our public schools ― even as our conservative House and Senate allow education dollars to shift to non-public education. (Don't re-elect these.)

In the cost of war on Iran are Tomahawk missiles at $2-4 million each. Some estimates for war costs are $1-$2 billion per day. Professor Justin Wolfers on NPR said, "Costs of the Iraq war turned out to be nearly 100 times the originally estimated cost." $20 billion a week on bombs now? Professor Linda Bilmes says, "We have not set aside a dime to pay for the medical-costs of war effects on our military. Thirty-seven percent of the veterans will require lifetime benefits."

Gov. Ayotte, bowing to Pres. Trump ― what do you see for New Hampshire taxes as a result of his war on Iran, minus the most experienced heads in the Pentagon's planning rooms because Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth fired them or pushed their retirement? (Not to practice Diversity, Equity, Inclusion ― per President Trump.)

Lynn Rudmin Chong

Sanbornton