The problem with writing a column once a month is that much of the news, particularly political news, is old by the time you see it. For example, my take on the presidential debate and how Mr. Trump looked foolish in repeating the lies about Springfield, Ohio.

But one thing about the Springfield situation that probably hasn’t stopped is the stochastic terrorism that caused it.

A term I hadn’t heard in a while, stochastic terrorism is defined as “the public demonization of a person or group resulting in the incitement of a violent act, which is statistically probable but whose specifics cannot be predicted.”

That Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance, perpetuated the story for political gain was bad enough for the small Ohio town 45 minutes west of Columbus. But it caused threats to the Haitian immigrants it targeted, resulted in bomb scares and death threats that closed schools and public buildings and even caused the local university to cancel games and other events.

Between the time I am writing this piece (Sept. 18) and its publication for early October there probably were several other incidents of stochastic terrorism caused by the garbage the GOP candidates have spewed. Have there been increased threats or worse against Vice President Kamala Harris since Vance said a big difference between conservatives and liberals is that “nobody has tried to kill Kamala Harris.” He said that Sept. 16, a couple days after there was a second attempted assassination of Trump in Florida.

Vance and Trump followed the second attempt by blaming Democrat rhetoric for both attempts on Trump. Vance said the Dems need to “tone down the rhetoric or it’s going to get someone killed.”

What kind of threats were tossed at Taylor Swift after Trump tweeted in all caps on Sept. 16 that he hates her? We know how his vile language against others has led to violence in the past (namely, Jan. 6, 2021). And the only reason he would have done that against Swift is because she endorsed Harris and, in so doing, made him look foolish because he’d earlier claimed she had endorsed him.

When our October issue is published, there will be a month to go before the election. I do not doubt stochastic terrorism will be evident in that time and well after, especially since Trump has already said he will fight the results should he lose the election.

Please spend this month continuing to study the issues and the candidates’ positions on them. Then vote. I hope nobody votes on a single issue, such as abortion, but based on a couple conversations I’ve had with friends recently I know many will do that. I just ask readers to look at all the issues, what is reality and what is not, and choose the candidate more likely to keep our democracy safe so that we can always have the right to vote.

Economy is, of course, a big issue

Did you know high gas prices and the cost of groceries are caused by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris? Yeah, I know, that’s a lot of bull. But conservatives either believe it or they want voters to believe it.

Had Trump prevailed in 2020, chances are the cost of living would be just as high and the liberals would be blaming him.

But there are several factors behind the inflation we’ve experienced the last four years, including recovery from the pandemic and the incredible profits corporations have made, with little to keep them in check if they continue paying little or no taxes.

So what plans are on the table from the two major party candidates?

Harris wants to increase the tax rates for corporations and make sure the top 1 percent is paying its fair share. That, she contends, is how she will be able to make living more affordable for the middle class and lower.

Trump plans to slap tariffs on all imports, including 60 percent on Chinese imports. That, he believes, will bring more income to our country and keep our federal deficit from rising exponentially.

Trump first imposed tariffs while he was president and Biden kept most of them in place, even increasing tariffs imposed on China. Those tariffs, experts say, have amounted to higher taxes and, thus, inflation at home. The Tax Foundation, which is bi-partisan and one of the world’s leading economic think tanks, said those Trump-Biden tariffs have raised prices while reducing output and employment, “producing a net negative impact on the U.S. economy.”

However, Trump’s plan to increase tariffs across the board on all imports and by 60 percent on China could be devastating to our Gross Domestic Product and mean a loss in jobs. The reason is that while China and other importers will pay more, they will pass those costs on to consumers — you know, us.

The Tax Foundation, as well as several other economic experts, believe a global trade war would result and further harm the global economy.

And finally…

Three of my grandchildren are eligible to vote in a presidential election for the first time this year. Proudly, I can say all three are registered.

So, you think this old man will try and influence their decisions? Oh, yeah.

To date, only my grandson has told me which way he is leaning. Born and raised in Morton, he considers himself conservative. My twin granddaughters were less forthcoming. One said she doesn’t want to discuss it with anyone and her sister said she is still weighing the issues.

Fair enough. Grandpa’s available if you want to talk about it.