Judy Brenholt wrote that she would like us all to use a commonsense approach to the problems and work together to encourage our congressmen to follow the consensus of us voters (Letters, Journal, Jan. 31).
That is very good except that there is very little common sense available in the country today, and especially not in Congress.
Secondly, the parties are in competition to gain their power, just as George Washington warned against happening.
Third, members of Congress are not there to carry out the bidding of a consensus of voters. There is no consensus on any issue today anywhere in the country – never has been and never will be.
Congress took an oath of office to do one thing, which is: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.” They are to represent us in doing that one job, which does not include getting a consensus of ideas from their constituents.
Had they actually done their job, we would not be in this mess today. They have failed miserably in their job ever since 1860.
Our young people today have not been educated in our history and our Constitution. I am long in the tooth also with a passel of great-grandkids, and I am concerned for their future. They definitely need to get educated in our history, our Constitution and what it will take to correct the mess the past two generations have allowed to happen.
Dexter Gill
Lewis