In Brian Parsons' latest column "What MAGA Believes", he again spewed about the high crime rates that he claims are the result of policies enacted by Democrats. The truth is, murder rates are a stunning 40 percent higher in the 25 states that went for former President Trump than the 25 states that voted for President Biden in the 2020 election.

Mississippi has twice the murder rate of Illinois, three times the murder rate of California, and four times that of New York.

Let's talk about cities and mayors- Lexington, Kentucky, with a Republican mayor, has set back to back-to-back murder records with a homicide rate twice that of New York City.

Tulsa and Oklahoma City with their Republican mayors and Republican governor have murder rates that dwarf Los Angeles.

These things are easy to look up and verify, but Parsons and his ilk are pretty sure you wont.. Because if there is one thing MAGA truly believes, it's to not let facts interfere their beliefs.

Bob Madsen,

Lava Hot Springs