DEAR EDITOR:

Once Trump can get his own Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner in place, no number will be safe. Inflation rates, unemployment rates, GDP, consumer confidence and more are compiled by this office.

In fact, the Social Security COLA is being compiled right now. That number is the average of the inflation rate of July, August and September. No matter what the number is, or whether or not Trump’s appointment is in place, recipients (including me) will wonder if the inflation rate is actually higher or did the commissioner and staff shave some points for fear of losing their jobs.

As for SS COLA, if the number for the three months comes out, say, 2.7%, recipients, rightly or wrongly, will wonder if that number really is 3.2%, but fear of Trump is forcing employees to “fudge” the numbers for employment security. That takes money right out of seniors and the disabled’s pockets. Even if that’s just in their minds, let Trump try to convince them otherwise.

Once doubt is introduced into this process, it’s a horrible thing to get that doubt erased. So many of government’s decisions are based on these numbers. What’s the Fed to do? “We’re waiting for data, but we no longer can rely on those numbers being accurate”. Boy, if Powell wanted to stick it up Trump’s rear end, he’d hold rates steady and say he can’t trust the data because of Trump’s interference.

Most Americans will know we live it; we feel it!

BETTS THORPE ADGATE

Cortland