THE SWAMP

6 September, 2017

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher,

101 Main Street #380

Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Dear Congressman,

Re: The swamp

Do you happen to know a character named Robert Stryk? I ask because you are mentioned in an article in last week’s New York Times Magazine as “having traded tequila shots” with him. What does that mean? Buddied?

Also, I wonder if you had any further business with this man, who is described in the article as deep in the Washington swamp—by now, as we all know, the Trump swamp. Along with other characters of his ilk, this Stryk is profiting mightily as a lobbyist from a rather tangential association with Trump and his administration, peddling consultative services and the appearance, if not the fact, of influence with the president to both corporate clients and officials from a variety of foreign governments.

This article makes it clear that not only has Trump failed to “drain the swamp,” as he promised repeatedly in his campaign, he has made it deeper and more murky than it was before. The bottom line is the nexus between influence and money. The lobbying firms mentioned in the article are unashamedly raking in the cash, and Trump is the source of corruption that simply keeps on giving. Sadly, he also provides the example for these money-grubbing clones.

To what extent, I wonder, Congressman, are you involved/affected by this dark side of politics? Does your association with Stryk—or others—go further than “trading tequila shots”? Do you, like Trump—heaven forbid!—stand to profit from your position in government? If you read the NY Times article, you might be as appalled as I was. I certainly hope so…

Respectfully,

Peter Clothier, Ph.D.