The writer of the letter “Why Trump was a great president” (March 7, TribLIVE) cites a number of positive conditions or occurrences that happened while Donald Trump was president as proof that he was a great president, such as low inflation, cheaper gasoline, a favorable stock market and Putin not invading any countries. She fails to explain why or how Trump being president had anything to do with any of them.
There is a common fallacy of logic called post hoc, ergo propter hoc (“after the fact, therefore because of the fact”). An example would be: I ate Wheaties for breakfast, and the Steelers won. Therefore, because I ate Wheaties for breakfast, the Steelers won. We all know what I eat for breakfast has nothing to do with the Steelers winning.
Putin never invaded Ukraine while Bill Clinton was president, either. Does Clinton get credit for that? In 1968, while Richard Nixon was president, gasoline cost 19.9 cents a gallon. Does Nixon get credit for that?
How about this: I wrecked my car while Trump was president. My dog ran away while Trump was president. Worst of all, I ran out of toilet paper while Trump was president. Is Trump to blame for my misfortunes? According to this letter-writer, apparently, yes.
She tells us to hear with our own ears and see with our own eyes. I would only ask that we apply logic and reason while forming our opinions.
Just maybe the covid pandemic had something to do with inflation, the stock market and the price of gas.
Greg Stock
Jeannette