NIMBY

April 17, 2018

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher,
101 Main Street #380
Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Dear Congressman,

Re: NIMBY

I just came across your appalling statement from 23 March titled “Homeless Shelter Nonsense.” You write as “a parent who owns a modest home in an Orange County neighborhood,” protesting against “County homeless compounds setting up shop in our local communities” and calling this humanitarian action “a travesty.”

First, on purely moral grounds, whatever happened to Christian charity—or, for myself, Buddhist compassion? You call it “an outrage” to be “assuming responsibility for homeless people and taking care of their basic needs”—this, in one of the wealthiest communities in the entire country? The outrage, Congressman, is your outrage.

Next, is it not your job to represent all the people of your district, not merely the Republican or the rich ones? Not merely those fortunate enough to live in comfort, like yourself and your family? These people whom you so despise are also your constituents, Congressman. You “represent” them. My turn to be outraged, by your dismissal of their needs.

I find it difficult to believe that any responsible human being could have written such a screed, let alone one elected to the privilege of serving the people of our district.

Again, without too much respect this morning,



Peter Clothier, Ph.D.