Washington Rep. Newhouse could play a key role in stopping Trump’s abuses of power | Opinion
Tell Newhouse you don’t approve
The Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse, but President Trump caused chaos several days ago when his administration froze funds that had been allocated by Congress. The resulting confusion and fear seemed to affect voters of all stripes. Some GOP lawmakers even found the courage to offer very cautious criticism of the move, and it was partially walked back within the next day.
Congressman Dan Newhouse apparently, didn’t feel it worth mentioning in this week’s newsletter. His communications always studiously avoid the elephant in the room. He prefers to stick to dams and other safe subjects. Voters can hope that he’s doing things behind the scenes to reduce the chance of further damaging actions.
His “no” vote might be enough to sink legislation opposed by Democrats in the House, since the Republican majority is razor thin. He should be listened to by his peers. All evidence indicates that the administration plans further extreme actions. Voters, GOP or not, have signaled unhappiness with government but still should be alarmed at the possibility of it being taken over by a strongman. Email Newhouse at newhouse.house.gov or call the Congressional hotline at 202-224-3121.
Greg Carl, Richland
What if Trump ‘tourists’ return?
Trump’s pardon of his blackshirts/rioters is inexcusable, but I understand the strategic necessity for doing so. Another coup attempt by “tourists” might be needed if Trump wants to stay in office after his term ends. Or — unlikely, but maybe — Congress will get a spine and disagree with Trump. A return visit from “tourists” might be needed to show recalcitrant legislators who really runs this country. Left in jail, his blackshirts would be unavailable to respond to do Trump’s bidding.
Considering that about half of Congress still claims the Jan. 6 rioters did nothing wrong, I wonder if the Capitol police or D.C. police would again be willing to risk injury protecting legislators next time Trump incites his “peaceful tourists” to riot.
Brett Menaker, Kennewick
Put people first, not your party
My response to a DNC Survey I received:
Your survey is a worthless marketing ploy to entice people to donate. You cannot stop Trump, the dictator who controls all three branches of government.
I voted for an obviously senile Biden, who was influenced by the extreme left and supported party dominance instead of the best interests of the people, thus avoiding the enhancement of Trump’s chances.
Both parties are focused only on party power. They are wrong! Our government is supposed to be by the people and for the people, not the welfare of billionaires or corporations that contribute to candidates.
Democracy, the Constitution, the rule of law and the welfare of the people are what counts, not the party. Party members must focus on the best interests of the people. This is not happening in either major party. Congress and Trump are following what the Nazi Party and Hitler accomplished in the 1930s and 1940s. The Supreme Court is political and follows Trump and the GOP.
If Democrats base their decisions on what is in the best interest of the people (their constituents), increasing party strength will follow.
James D. Tow, Richland
On Feb. 11, vote yes on arts center
On Feb. 11, please vote to construct a Performing Arts Center located along the Columbia River. Vote yes to create: 1) a center for plays, concerts, festivals and dance performances; 2) a stage for community groups and youth programs to shine; and 3) a central gathering space for celebrations, cultural events and educational activities.
Timing is crucial to our Mid-Columbia Symphony; we operate at a disadvantage. Our musicians also play in other symphonies that can plan their concert seasons a year ahead at local performing arts centers or theaters, such as in Yakima, Walla Walla and Wenatchee. Unfortunately, we can plan only a few months in advance. We must wait for schools to set their schedules before we can set ours.
Consequently, we cannot inform our musicians about our concert dates until after they have committed to other orchestras. Every year, we spend precious energy and time finding capable substitute musicians. After eighty years of live concerts, the greatest threat to our growth and excellence remains priority access to a performing arts venue. Please vote yes on your Feb. 11 ballot!
William L. Kuhn, president, Board of Trustees of the Mid-Columbia Symphony
Vote ‘Yes’ to have performance site
“There’s nothing to do in the Tri-Cities.” Here’s, perhaps, a simplistic thought about that. How does the cure start by voting down a new place, a Performing Arts Center, where such things can happen?
Sure, all of the proposed events may not always be “your thing.” One fact: 100% of ‘no place to do anything” is going to add up to nothing every time. We’ve been without such a facility for going on a century. Most of the people reading this right now have gone out of town to go to some sort of entertainment show.
We don’t have to always do that. Time’s up! I’ve got something you can do — go vote to build a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center as a place where performers can come here — to do something!
Ron Buckland, Pasco
Let industry help on nuke energy
Rep. Stephanie Barnard thinks people in government, not industry leaders from the private sector, are the ones to lead the advancement of new nuclear energy. How disappointing1
She recently introduced HB 1249 to create an advanced nuclear advisory commission to lead the “commercial liftoff” for nuclear energy. Rather than comprising the commission of local and national nuclear energy industry leaders (e.g., Framatome, X-energy, Terrapower, Westinghouse, Curio, Oklo, NuScale, etc.), she proposes to fill this commission with government entities and bureaucrats who have no experience deploying nuclear energy technologies.
Her list includes: one commission representative each from the state labor council, from Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson’s office, the state energy office in Olympia, a native tribe, the state radiation control agency, the federal Department of Energy, but no private sector representation!
Rep. Barnard purports to be a Republican. The bill sounds like one coming from a big government Democrat. To House Energy Committee Members Mary Dye, Mark Klicker, Peter Abbarno, Hunter Abell, John Ley, Gloria Mendoza, David Steube, Alex Ybarra and cosponsoring legislators Travis Couture and Skyler Rude: If you want to actually support nuclear energy, amend this bloated bill and add at least five slots for private sector experts and leaders.
Dave Comstock, Richland
Newhouse needs to be accessible
The people’s trust in government is more fragile than ever, yet Rep. Dan Newhouse has continued to choose isolation over accessibility. Unlike many of his colleagues, he does not provide a direct email address where constituents can reach him. Instead, we must navigate a vague, glitchy form on his House.gov website. It’s technically official, yet troubling in execution.
When constituents do receive a response, which is fleetingly rare, there can be no follow-up conversation as his replies are sent from a “no-reply” email address. For many members of Congress, constituent outreach is processed through their government offices, with transparency about who receives and responds to messages.
Newhouse’s approach fails this basic standard. The people of (the Fourth) District deserve to know that when they contact their representative, they are engaging with their government — not an unaccountable, isolated individual with no interest in hearing from us.
Elected officials should be making themselves more accessible, not less. If you want answers, try calling his Richland office at (509) 713-7374 and ask: Where do our messages go, and why isn’t he interested in hearing from us?
Cheyenne Brown, Richland
My name draws discrimination now
I was born on a U.S. Army reservation. My Dad was a 30-year Army veteran. We have the most common Spanish surname. I would bet my last name has been in America longer than the name Trump.
But with my Spanish name I no longer feel confident to go shopping or even walk the dog without carrying proper ID. During my 35 years, I held a high-level nuclear clearance. The same level as Robert Oppenheimer.
So the government must have trusted me. Now in the early days of the ICE operations to arrest undocumented aliens, I’m reminded of when Jewish people and other minorities were arrested. It was all legal according to law. As was the internet of Japanese Americans during World War II.
It’s safe to say that most of the arrested so far are not dangerous criminals. Many are hard-working people who are exploited and underpaid. And a lot of these workers will never collect on the Social Security they have paid into for many years.
After the dust settles who will be available to do many of these menial and dangerous jobs that most Americans won’t do?
John Garcia, Gig Harbor, former Tri-Citian for 39 years
SARC seeking new volunteers
Are you interested in getting involved with the community but are not sure how? Volunteering with the Support Advocacy & Resource Center is a wonderful opportunity to help make a difference in people’s lives. SARC relies on volunteer advocates to help with our 24/7 crisis line and hospital calls, providing crisis intervention and support either on the phone or at the hospital.
Volunteer advocates can also respond to hospital calls for medical exams, answer questions and assist with support. SARC assists all victims of crime 24 hours a day by providing support and advocacy to them and their non-offending family members, friends, secondary victims and witnesses to crime. SARC services are free and confidential.
To become a SARC volunteer advocate, 32 hours of training is required and will be provided by SARC. The training is designed to give volunteers the tools they need to work with victims and their families. Hybrid training dates include Feb. 25, Feb. 27, March 4, and March 6 from 5:30-9:30 p.m., as well as a full-day session on March 8t from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be an hour break for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
Brianna Albrecht, Richland