TWEET

January 19, 2018

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher,

101 Main Street #380

Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Dear Congressman,

Re: Twitter

I note that you unleashed a minor Twitter storm with your recent Tweets about the government shutdown—in which you sought to blame the Democrats and cater to shutdown supporters by piously announcing your refusal to accept pay “other than any other federal employee.” A noble gesture?

Nobler, I think, and more honest, would have been to frankly acknowledge the Republican role in this latest fiasco. Nobler, too, to have shown some graciousness in acknowledging Democrats’ coming to your (and the country’s) rescue by ending the shutdown. Not a word on that, I note. Other Republicans simply crow. Perhaps you do the same. In private.

And, by the way, what a major triumph: a few more days of government before the next threat of showdown! A magnificent victory!

Also: can Mitch McConnell be trusted to stick to his word on the DACA issue? Do you think Paul Ryan will bring it to a House vote—without the assurance of a Republican victory? I’m not holding me breath. Are you?

And… if it does come to a vote in the House, do you plan to hew to your hard line on immigration? Will you vote in recognition of the wishes of some 90% of Americans, including even a significant majority of Republicans, to resolve the predicament of the “dreamers”? Again, I’m not holding my breath.

Respectfully,

Peter Clothier, Ph.D.