Bogus claims and walls

Henry Olsen (“Democrats have a blue-collar problem,” March 20) explains his belief as to why what he calls “Obama-Trump blue-collar voters” like Mr. Trump’s anti-immigration stance. He concludes by advising that Democrats need to acknowledge that illegal immigrants cause harm to job and wages for these “blue-collar voters.”

Based on academic studies there is some truth to this. These same studies place greater emphasis on trade deficits and automation. He also states that people can reasonably have concerns about Muslim immigration without being racist rather due to a lax or over trusting approach to immigration. Since 2013, the vetting requirements for such immigrants have been anything but lax and overly trusting. Mr. Olsen appears to be expressing the claims of many Republicans, which focus on blame rather than solutions.

A person in his position should be truthfully reviewing problems and developing realistic solutions. Bogus claims and walls will not help our country’s working people.

Phil Ward

Coeur d’Alene