Math was again wrong for local GOP

Editor:

In the July 10, 2025, edition of this newspaper, Neil Watko and Cori Dobson, putative leaders of our local GOP, made what I referred to as a grand old goof. In a failed attempt to explain the workings of Mr. Trump’s pork-barrel baby bonus account, they overstated the potential returns available to Junior by a factor approaching 10. More than one reader flagged this error and asked for an explanation; none was forthcoming. 

Recently, the same team, addressing the same set of investment assumptions, again got the numbers wrong. The 30-year average annualized return for the Standard and Poor’s 500 is 9.64%; the latest 10-year number for the S&P is 13.82%. Let’s be charitable and use 13.82% for the one-time Trump handout of $1,000 invested over a period of 18 years. The ending value is about $10,250, a far cry from the $18,000 as stated by Watko/Dobson. These calculations are not difficult and only require 18 steps of multiplication and addition – no computer needed. How can those who yearn to lead and serve not have a grasp of basic arithmetic? Does this example of poor homework foster “financial literacy” in young people?

As for instructing Junior about compound interest, my suggestion is to eschew government handouts – which your generation will pay back in future taxes – and to baby sit, mow lawns or shovel snow and invest your earnings in one of our local banks that require no minimum deposit for a savings account. You can then review your monthly statement and do the simple math to confirm your earnings.

We also must ask why this populist scheme is the subject of yet another Gunnison County GOP splash. Is it because there is nothing else in the past or future of Mr. Trump of which to tout or crow? Additionally, for Watko/Dobson to write that “The Republican Party of Gunnison County is proud to announce…” is the height of hubris which does not sit well with many voters who are accustomed to let laurels fall where they may.

David Haedt

Gunnison