To the Editor:

This is in response to Cory Vaillancourt’s two articles in The Smoky Mountain News’ August 21 edition.

Mr. Vaillancourt stated that Trump is struggling to communicate effectively against Harris. Millions of voters, Republicans, independents, and yes, even Democrats, would beg to differ.

To the Editor:

I have seen banners and bumper stickers that read, “Socialism or Freedom.” I would hardly call the Republican party the party of freedom. The Heritage Foundation and Project 2025 want to take our freedoms away.

My son was home from college for spring break. As we ate dinner one night, he described to my wife and me how a professor warned the students that many of the jobs they are studying for will be gone within a few years. Artificial intelligence and automation could put millions out of work in the very near future, the professor had told the class, and my son seemed genuinely worried.

In the next breath, he recounted a speech he heard from one of the lesser-known Democratic presidential candidates who discussed a future where U.S. citizens may receive a “universal basic income,” particularly if AI and automation take us to the point where there just aren’t enough jobs for a growing population.