GOP has forgotten who is the boss
In 2000, the GOP went to the Supreme Court to stop the counting of legally cast votes in the presidential election. It seems that acquiring power was more important to them than respecting the principle that in a democracy, “every vote counts.”
In the 2016 presidential election, they counted every vote and lost. Rather than accept defeat, the de facto leader of the GOP declared (without any evidence) that the election was stolen and incited a mob to storm the Capital and stop the election’s certification. It seems that staying in power was more important to them than respecting the results of a free and fair election, the core principle of democracy.
Now, in 2025, the GOP has urged its elected officials to not hold any public forums with constituents. Our country’s founders had the courage to face the British army. Our current representatives lack the courage to face the people who put them in office.
The GOP and its elected officials must remember they work for us. If any of them had ever had a real job, they would know that when your boss wants to see you, you don’t hide under the bed.
We deserve better.
Al Ezzell
The misguided logic of Moms for Liberty
In addition to various attacks on social and emotional learning, Moms for Liberty is also known for their vigorous defense of the “parents’ rights” slogan.
However, they ignore parents’ rights when they defend the state’s right to decide medical questions dealing with gender. Moms for Liberty thinks that the greatest evil is the existence and treatment of transgender people. In the United States, gender transition is rare – from 2019-2021, there were 56 genital surgeries among children ages 13 to 17; and in 2021, 1,390 minors initiated puberty blocker treatment.
For comparison, 600,000 children were abused by their families, and over 7,000 youths and young adults committed suicide. Gun deaths rose by 50% between 2019 and 2021, and are the leading cause of death among American children.
In her recent work, “Money, Lies and God,” author Katherine Stewart observes “there is little interest in children’s welfare unless it involves transgender identity, deployed as a form of outrage politics.” Molestation and pedophilia become issues only when associated with trans people.
As family counselor Dorothy Nolte wrote, if children live with approval, they learn to live with themselves.
Michael V. Woodward
Fleischmann abets Ukraine loss
In his Wednesday commentary, local attorney Lee Davis asked important questions about Rep. Chuck Fleischmann’s commitment to long-held American values. Our congressman, once a vocal critic of Russian aggression toward Ukraine, has gone mute as President Trump halts military aid to a country whose sovereignty we vowed to protect.
“Is he with us or with Russia?” Davis asked. “Is he with democracy or authoritarianism?”
These questions aren’t political. They’re foundational to our moral identity and our future as a country. It’s unacceptable that Fleischmann won’t hold a town hall to discuss them.
Here’s what I was told Tuesday by a staffer in his D.C. office:
Fleischmann wants to “work with Congress and the president to end the war.” He won’t support sending more aid to Ukraine, even though he believes Ukraine will lose the war without it.
“That’s just the reality,” the staffer said.
Judging from the phone calls they’ve received, the staffer said, the vast majority of Fleischmann’s constituents agree with him.
I don’t buy it. I’ve seen spontaneous, near-unanimous support calling for Fleischmann to stand up against authoritarianism and hold a town hall.
If you share my concerns, please join the chorus.
Allison Gorman