Dear Mr. Trump,

Your White House has sent me an email in which it claims that “the cost of raising a family has grown exponentially.” I’m sure you have no idea, sir, what it costs to raise a family. But I’ve done some research. Perhaps I can help educate you.

What makes up the cost of raising a family? The largest component is housing. The Trump Administration plans to reduce government aid for low-income housing by $5 billion. If you’re concerned about the cost of a raising a family, sir, why strip away $5 billion now going to families for just that purpose?

Then, sir, the next highest component of raising a family is food. By 2011 the imports of agricultural products from Mexico to the US totaled $15.8 billion, making Mexico the second largest supplier to the US. The leading categories include: fresh vegetables and fresh fruit, in winter months particularly. Your desire to scuttle NAFTA will keep all this nourishing food in Mexico, driving up prices here or forcing American families to do without. Please explain how forcing up food prices is going to help reduce the cost of raising a family. Oh, I get it. The families you are so concerned about protecting will just do without.

What about the costs of medical care? You are driving up the insurance premiums of many families by failing to make the payments to insurance companies contemplated by the Affordable Care Act. Oh, I see. They can reduce their costs of raising a family by foregoing medical care. Got it.

You, sir, are the cause of the rising costs of raising a family. You are not the solution.

Very truly yours,

Bruce J. Berger