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When we were children we used theatrics. We would be on our best behavior when we knew there may be a chance of going to the movies or a special outing as long as we behaved. I had a hard time keeping that "halo" on and not bickering with my brother or sister. Theatrics are used in the workplace especially near the time of annual job evaluations. We all want to show our best to the boss in hopes of a better pay raise.

Politicians are no different. But voters need to be aware of this tactic. Biden has placed obstacles during his administration to stop new leases or drilling for oil. Now it is close to an election and he needs to keep oil prices down so what does he do? He is releasing 1 million barrels of gasoline from a Northeast reserve in a bid to lower prices at the pump this summer. In 2023, U.S. daily gasoline consumption was 8.94 million barrels. This will have little effect to control inflation which has been an election year liability for Biden.

Republicans played theatrics months ago with trying to impeach Alejandro Mayorkas. They knew it would go nowhere when it reached the Democrat Senate majority. It was mainly for theatrics and a campaign narrative.

Another theatric will be the "Band-aid" Border security bill proposed by the Democrats which are trying to appear on the offensive for once on border security. With most Republicans threatening to vote        against it as it is more a humanitarian bill than actually securing the border. The Democrats will then use the narrative that they are tougher on border security. But playing politics on this issue may actually backfire.

On May 4th with 154 days until the Presidential Election of 2024, with due to Biden-Harris re-electability declining in various polls, Biden finally issued an Executive Order regarding curtailing illegal immigration. Supposedly, his Executive Order will only allow 2,500 illegals (which equates to 385,000 illegals in 5 months) daily crossing at the USA-Mexican border. With Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California being border states, his ambiguous Executive Order will be misinterpreted to allow 2,500 illegals daily crossings (962,500,000 total per these 4 US states).  These projected figures don’t account for those illegals going undetected. With the absent of a completed Border Wall, shortage of US Border Patrol agents, and our current administration catch and release policy rather than deportation, the number of illegal immigrations will be unsurmountable, attribute to higher crimes, increased crowding in our health care system, schools, social services, etc.  Hopefully voters see through the theatrics.         

Voters need to be informed on the issues and not be swayed by political theatrics. Look at the record of your politician to see if they are serious about fixing issues in Washington or just being in the limelight to get reelected.

Sincerely,

Robert A. Tomlinson

Lincolnton, N.C.

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