To the editor:
U.S. Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma is a conservative voice and a Southern Baptist Minister. To solve the debate over immigration, prior to the 2024 election, he devised a plan with bipartisan support that was ready to be passed. Trump intended to use the border as a wedge issue to win the presidency, so he instructed Senate Republicans to kill the bill, and despite earlier strong backing, it never passed.
This was embarrassing to Lankford, causing him to recently call out his Republican colleagues by reminding them how they would react if Democrats were blocking them from being part of the governmental process, which is happening now. My guess is that Lankford was thinking of the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Unfortunately, his Republican colleagues were focused on “the meek shall inherit the earth,” but not on their watch.
This took me back to something my mother taught me when I was growing up. When I left our home, if I did something wrong, it wasn’t just about me. It was a reflection on my family. That was a heavy burden to have as a child, but I understood the value of what she was saying, and my entire life I have tried to make sure to never let any of my actions cause embarrassment to me or to my family. Perhaps Republicans were never taught this lesson. If they had, I doubt they would allow President Trump to cloud their judgement by giving him free rein to do as he pleases.
Performing illegal acts on what seems like a daily occurrence, ignoring the Constitution, and not requiring due process. Using the power of the presidency to intimidate, extort money, and enforce his will on others. Defunding medical research, cutting back on FEMA, and enacting legislation that it is estimated will cause 20 million people to lose their Medicaid benefits due to enabling requirements, or lack of affordability, all of which will surely lead to a significant loss of lives. Inappropriately using our military both here and abroad. Advocating a redistricting plan to effectively rig elections by minimizing the number of Black and opposition votes. There is much more that any mother of a Republican member of Congress would be ashamed of.
My mother was barely five feet tall, and although she never used violence in raising me, if I had abdicated my responsibility to those who elected me to Congress by participating in Trump’s violations of his office, I would have received a slap in the face to remind me that I was an embarrassment to myself and my family.
As for the ongoing government shutdown, Republicans are refusing to discuss Medicaid and healthcare until Democrats approve a Continuing Resolution, which will allow the government to reopen. With Republicans in control of the House, Senate, and presidency, Democrats recognize that having a “discussion” will allow Republicans to just confirm their “Big Beautiful Bill” when the talking stops. To avoid this, Democrats are insisting on negotiating first, then the government will go back to business.
Quoting Cher in “Moonstruck” as she slaps Nicholas Cage in the face, “SNAP OUT OF IT!”
Frank Gunsberg
Great Barrington
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