Voters hate GOP ineptitude, not gridlock
Is Leonard Pitts Jr’s view (Balanced Views, “GOP blew up self, politics, but we’ll reap the whirlwind,” March 6) encumbered by a chip on his shoulder? He takes offensive to opposition to President Obama’s positions coming from — of all places — the ‘opposition party.’ And while he may rightfully fear reaping the whirlwind of the 2016 presidential results, he mischaracterizes the cause of Republican frustration and voter backlash.
Voters supported Republican candidates based on those candidates’ promises. And those voters don’t despise legislative gridlock but, rather, the wrong things getting done through legislative rule manipulation, executive overreach and bureaucratic rule making, while their representatives fail to prevent it or even put forth fervent, principled opposition to it. And as for Pitts’ belief that the GOP has “cynical disregard for the national welfare,” perhaps it’s because his belief is based on a disputed — or diametrically opposed — view of what constitutes national welfare.
GREGORY MARSHALL, MARIETTA
Beware those who want to privatize the ‘commons’
I have always appreciated the commons. I’ve liked that there is a water system that belongs to all of us. I’ve liked that there are public roads and parks, and I could bring my family to them on those roads. Further, I’ve always felt that we belonged there when we arrived. Things in the commons are everyone’s birthright. We are each of us richer because of them. Every child born has a share in the commons and therefore no child, regardless of the economic status of his or her parents, is born indigent.
Those who want to privatize everything usually have extensive wealth and power. They want only to increase their holdings by acquiring the assets. They try to persuade us that their way is better for everyone in the economic sense. I find this claim highly dubious. I don’t care about another dollar in my pocket, more or less. I’m simply saying that losing the commons makes me feel like a serf. Am I the only one?
DEAN POIRIER, DULUTH
About the Author
