7/22/2025

My Dear Friend & POTUS, DJT,

Given my belief that God is change, I am rejoicing.

First, it’s NOT hot! On 7/22/24 it got up to 104 in West Sac. Today the high will be 79.

Second, my husband is working projects with power tools. In 7/22/24 he was confined to the couch struggling with debilitating pain throughout his body but especially in his shoulder & ankles which severely depressed him both physically & psychologically.

Third, I am free to spend as much time as I want writing this letter because my work obligations are minimal. I have much to celebrate!

                  I am less excited about the changes you have implemented. Might you & your helpers be stuck in the 20th century & “trapped in a dominant linear, causal mode of thinking typical of the reductive mindset (Rogers, et al, 2013)?” Take our trade situation with the Philippines for example. (BTW, I chose that since you are meeting with Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.(FRMJ) today.) You talk about a trade imbalance of $5 billion, ignoring the fact that we get a variety of machine parts from the Philippines & send them a bunch of food. Since they are a nation of islands & poorer than we are, they need our food but can only eat so much. What else do you expect them to buy? They could buy some fuel, but that doesn’t make sense since Indonesia can sell it to them cheaper since it’s closer. As you can see, global trade is complicated with “too many unknowns & interrelated factors to reduce to rules & processes” (ibid). I encourage you to adopt a “a healthy respect for the restraint/action paradox” & slow down on imposing your tariffs.

                  Speaking of global trade, according to Agence France Presse, “Western Aid Cuts Cede Ground to China in Southeast Asia.”  They report that “Beijing’s development finance to the region rose by $1.6 billion to $4.9 billion in 2023, mostly through big infrastructure projects” including “the revival of the Kyaukphyu Deep Sea Port in Myanmar.”  Please get FRMJ’s take on this & discuss how we can promote peace in Burma. You might also remind him that WINTA!

BYBS,