Letter to the editor: Nothing but "soul-sucking" bribes

First published in the Brunswick Beacon, 09.24.26

In “Cool Hand Luke,” Paul Newman says, “Sometimes nothin’ can be a real cool hand.” Republicans aren’t so sure. 

At 3.4%, inflation is higher than when Trump was inaugurated. “Inflation picked up last month as gas prices jumped due to Iran war,” AP reported. August gas prices were the highest ever. Diesel’s a record-high $6.40/gallon. The FED just raised interest rates.

Sixty-nine percent of Americans oppose Trump’s Iran War. His approval hit an all-time low. Americans say they’re worse off than two years ago.

Trump’s response? “If the Republicans win the House of Representatives and the United States Senate… I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000.”

Unlike three previous dividends Trump promised but didn’t deliver, offering to buy votes can get you two years in prison. 

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) said, “Frankly I’m insulted by the notion that my vote this November could be bought for 5k," and warned it would only make inflation worse.

Trump-friendly Newsmax anchor E.D. Hill asked Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA), “So the president’s plan about this $5,000 payment to every adult American, is that basically a bribe?” 

Palantir co-founder and Republican mega-donor Joe Lonsdale agrees. He declared himself “strongly against bread and circus bribes.” 

Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) called it "dependency...evil & soul-sucking.”

Former Republican House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good asked if Republicans would “defend Trump’s $5K ‘dividend’ socialist vote-buying scheme that would cost nearly $1 trillion?” 

Trump claims we can afford this “because our country is making so much money,” ignoring our record-setting $40 trillion national debt. “If you have the money, why not give it now?” asked Fox News’ Laura Ingraham. Trump replied, “Because the Democrats can’t do it.” 

Exactly — because Republicans already control the House, the Senate and the White House. The only thing they don’t control is your vote in November. With nothing to run on, they’re trying to buy it — with your own hard-earned money.

Arthur Hill

Southport