The greater swamp

Mr. Trump wants to drain the swamp in Washington, D.C. Ironically, he has ascended to his present position from a much bigger swamp, one bounded by two oceans, Canada and Mexico,

The swamp has been growing increasingly septic over the past 40 years, the infection being fed by a steady decline in the standard of living. In that time, the cost of durable goods has increased by 10 times, while wages have only increased about four times. A workman can no longer afford a house; he is stuck in a 132-unit plywood apartment complex.

State college tuition has gone from $320 per year to $10,000. Nobody can afford that without taking out a federal loan that will just about eliminate the graduate’s chances of buying a house.

Our manufacturing has gone to Asia, where stuff is built for one-tenth of what it costs here. Thus, lots of cheap TVs and cell phones and no manufacturing jobs.

People sense this decline and politicians that don’t do so at their own peril, thus the Democratic Party overthrow and the ascension of an unlikely and mostly unqualified demagogue who voters desperately hope will get the train back on the tracks.

Corwin Malott

Spokane