Citizen unrest

We need leaders

Regarding “Protesters press Cruz to listen to constituents” (Page A4, Wednesday), the story spotlights a disturbing disconnect between our Texas congressmen and those of their constituents who are troubled by what’s happening in Washington.

John McCain, Republican U.S. senator from Arizona, is also troubled, and he’s doing something about it. He should be commended for his good work in this chaotic period of American political life — speaking out to defend our democratic values and to condemn actions that threaten them. Other U.S. senators, such as Republican Susan Collins of Maine, Democrat Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Republican Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Independent Bernie Sanders of Vermont also have been doing similar good work. However, we are dismayed that more of our elected representatives are merely standing by as our president’s outrageous behavior continues unabated; he seems bent on undermining the foundations of our government with lies, assaults on a free press, disrespect for the judiciary, unhinged narcissistic grandiosity and thinly veiled malice toward those who are different or who disagree with him.

I am especially disappointed that my three representatives in Washington — U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn and U.S. Rep. John Culberson — are unresponsive to constituent concerns, reluctant to challenge the president’s alarming behavior and unwilling to confront the disarray created by his incompetence in forming a new government.

We hope they will soon step out of their hiding places and, along with other members of Congress, follow John McCain’s example of patriotic leadership.

Stephen Carroll, Houston

Hear us

Regarding “Town hall angst spreads across Texas” (Page A1, Thursday), President Donald Trump, U.S. Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston, and other Republicans who accuse their constituents who show up at district offices of being organized by liberal groups did not seem to have the same concern when the NRA organized letter writing, phone calling, emailing and protest groups to support the gun lobby. Likewise, I never heard their concerns about the organized anti-abortion groups, or the tea party groups.

If being informed when a representative will be at his office or holds a town hall so that people with concerns can show up is organized, then yes, we are organized.

Joanna Pasternak, Houston

New playbook

Regarding “Trump escalates war on media” (chron.com, Friday), so if ABC, CBS, NBC reports something he doesn’t like and he denies them access ... what then? Where does the buck stop? He’s only taking a page from the playbook of his Republican congressional colleagues. Shutting down town halls and bending over backward to dismiss real concerns. Cameron Drew Rison,

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