Dear Congressman Harris,
While I was not registered with either party for the vast majority of my voting life, I have tended to vote Republican for many of these years. I did so because the Republican Party stood for a small Federal government, leaving most responsibilities to the states, local governments or individuals.
It is no longer possible for me to vote Republican. President Trump has stuck the nose of the Federal Government into many areas where the Federal Government historically has played no role or he has expanded the Federal government’s role in areas where its prior role was minor or simply ceremonial. I refer to bullying Colleges and Universities into changing their courses of study, making museums such as the Smithsonian change their displays because he personally did not agree with the display, interfering with free speech by forcing Jimmy Kimmel off the air and by suing the New York Times for defamation, sending National Guard troops to cities where they are not wanted nor are they trained to do that work, having the government buy partial ownership in corporations, and trying to control immigration which is a power granted to Congress.
Congressman, how can you and the Republican Party continue to support this? Please explain it. Also, please respond to this letter publicly in The Spy?
Bob Scofield
Kennedyville
John Dean says
I look forward to reading the Congressman’s reply to your letter. Thank you for writing it.
Kristina Vollmer says
Excellent bipartisan letter from Bob Scofield.
He accurately states why I can no longer vote republican either.
I certainly hope that Mr Harris responds to this letter. We need to know how anyone can condone the way the Federal government is behaving and in particular the Republican party.
Linda says
The problem with Congressman Harris is he does not want to represent those who are not Republicans, especially those Republicans who are not Maga Republicans. At least in the old days we could rely on our congressman to listen to diverse opinions, but this guy doesn’t do that at all! I called his office on several occasions and said that he should listen to alternate views. I’m not a Republican. In response to my topical emails he ignores the substance and just bla-blas in return with boilerplate political vituperations against past adminstrations and Maryland leadership. Yet he adds me to his fundraising list for Republicans and robocalls my phone asking for money! Honestly, would it be so hard to listen to constituents who are not registered Republican and give a reasoned response? I will fall off my chair if he answers Bob’s letter!
Beryl Smith says
Many years ago, although a registered Democrat, I voted most enthusiastically for Wayne Gilchrist (now turned Democrat but not then). I did so for several reasons but at the top of my list was his response to a letter I sent to him complaining about his vote on a measure I was not in favor of (I think it was the Iraq invasion but I am not sure now). What impressed me so favorably was his written letter, sent through the mail, that spelled out what his thinking was and why he voted the way he did. It was the first time I ever had that kind of response–measured, studied, and based on his principles as he saw the issues at the moment of vote. Any politician willing to respond to criticism with something other than boilerplate responses is, in my book, up for consideration of my vote. Were I still in MD Andy Harris would never measure up.
Buzz Saner says
Very well said. Congressman Harris chairs the so-called “Freedom Caucus” in the House which seems to suffer from a serious case of hypocrisy. Supporting the excesses of the current Administration makes a mockery of certain freedoms, like those guaranteed by the First Amendment. Our Congressman should stand up to the White House. As it is, he won’t even stand up in front of his constituents. Very sad.
Gren Whitman says
Good summary of a small number of Trump’s unconstitutional actions and his maladministration of the federal government.
There are many more, as most Spy readers are well aware.
Fun questions:
Q: When was the last time an American president spoke at a memorial for a racist, misogynist, Islamophobic, and jingoist demagogue?
A: Never.
Q: When was the last time an American president said, “I hate my opponents”?
A: Never, at least in public
Yes, indeedy, many, many more!
Rev. Joel L. Tolbert says
Thank you Bob, and please keep taking the risk of publicly speaking truth to corrupt powers.