AFS Cinema
Not My Representative
RECEIVED Sun., Jan. 22, 2017
Dear Editor,
Rep. Lamar Smith, one of five Republican representatives the GOP has gerrymandered into Austin, said recently in a televised interview (www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/lamar-smith-trump-inauguration-speech/2017/01/20/id/769709) that Donald Trump, in his inaugural address as president of the United States, "spoke directly to" the American people, and told them, "I'm on your side and I'm against Washington." How does Rep. Smith think Americans reacted to this message? "I think they heard exactly what they wanted to," he claims.
As a constituent of Rep. Smith, I have to say I did not hear what I wanted to in Trump's address. I heard aggression, narcissism, blame-shifting, egotism, and bluster. I heard a direct threat to the values America holds dear: peace, prosperity, truth, open debate, courage and compassion. At least 50,000 Texans heard the same things I did ["Women's March in Austin Does Its Part in Historic Day of Protest," News, Jan. 21]. We came to the state Capitol the next day to let our elected officials know exactly what we "want to hear" – and what we want them to do. We want leaders who actively seek out, listen to, and include the disenfranchised, not crybabies who whine about others' divisiveness. We want leaders who take responsibility for their actions, not cowards who blame the media for reporting facts. We want leaders who see health care as a universal right, not a privilege for the wealthy. We want leaders who have the basic decency to admit that our current president is unfit for office. We don't want toadies and bootlickers who assure us that the golden shower of Trump's presidency is actually rain.
"I think he's going to keep his promise to put America first," Rep. Smith said of Trump. "I'm not sure too many people disagree with that."
Look around you, Rep. Smith. Answer your phone. Come to your Austin office and talk to your constituents, if you dare. Pretty much everyone disagrees. If you still aren't sure, we'll make it abundantly clear in 2020.
Rep. Lamar Smith, one of five Republican representatives the GOP has gerrymandered into Austin, said recently in a televised interview (www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/lamar-smith-trump-inauguration-speech/2017/01/20/id/769709) that Donald Trump, in his inaugural address as president of the United States, "spoke directly to" the American people, and told them, "I'm on your side and I'm against Washington." How does Rep. Smith think Americans reacted to this message? "I think they heard exactly what they wanted to," he claims.
As a constituent of Rep. Smith, I have to say I did not hear what I wanted to in Trump's address. I heard aggression, narcissism, blame-shifting, egotism, and bluster. I heard a direct threat to the values America holds dear: peace, prosperity, truth, open debate, courage and compassion. At least 50,000 Texans heard the same things I did ["Women's March in Austin Does Its Part in Historic Day of Protest," News, Jan. 21]. We came to the state Capitol the next day to let our elected officials know exactly what we "want to hear" – and what we want them to do. We want leaders who actively seek out, listen to, and include the disenfranchised, not crybabies who whine about others' divisiveness. We want leaders who take responsibility for their actions, not cowards who blame the media for reporting facts. We want leaders who see health care as a universal right, not a privilege for the wealthy. We want leaders who have the basic decency to admit that our current president is unfit for office. We don't want toadies and bootlickers who assure us that the golden shower of Trump's presidency is actually rain.
"I think he's going to keep his promise to put America first," Rep. Smith said of Trump. "I'm not sure too many people disagree with that."
Look around you, Rep. Smith. Answer your phone. Come to your Austin office and talk to your constituents, if you dare. Pretty much everyone disagrees. If you still aren't sure, we'll make it abundantly clear in 2020.
Sincerely,
Susan Schorn
Austin, Texas
Susan Schorn
Austin, Texas