Citizens disappointed congressman didn’t attend inauguration

Editor: This is an open letter to Congressman Jerry McNerney. I just read that you will not be attending the inauguration of the 45th President of my United States of America.

So tell me. What is so important that you are not going to represent me at this historical event? Why did I vote for you if your mind is so closed to many people like myself who feel it is important to hear, read, or see all sides of any issue or event?

I am an open-minded Democrat, and by your not attending you are an embarrassment to me, your constituent. JUDY BADER Lodi

Don’t put politics ahead of people

Editor: On the Inauguration: Dear Congressman McNerney, Thank you for putting party politics ahead of the American people by boycotting the President’s Inauguration. Mr. Trump was chosen to change the direction of America but you and your ilk just don’t get it. Not that your attendance there would be of any significance but your refusal speaks volumes about your divisive attitude and that of your party. Good luck with that. You are an embarrassment to California and your district. RICHARD O. WRIGHT Lodi

Setting the record straight on progressivism

Editor: Progressivism — the new dirty word that right-wing fundamentalists fling around.

Those on the political right cannot distinguish between progressivism and liberalism.

Progressivism encompasses many concepts including science, technology, and social justice.

Progressivism is what brought this country into the 20th century. Now, in the 21st century, far right conservatives desire to push us back to the 19th century: denying civil rights; denying scientifically proven theories; denying the ideals that our founders enshrined in the constitution.

Contrary to “opinion,” the U.S. Constitution is not just for “citizens.” According to the Georgetown University Law Center, the Supreme Court “has repeatedly stated that "the Due Process Clause applies to all 'persons' within the United States, including aliens, whether their presence here is lawful, unlawful, temporary, or permanent.”

One may recall that that clause is a part of our constitution.

To proclaim that “progressivism is a lawless construct” — which makes absolutely no sense what-soever — and then to proclaim that this phrase somehow means that progressivism is a license to follow or not follow the law, without giving specific support for that claim, is ludicrous.

To obfuscate further, progressives are accused of only “seeing rot and ruin” in this country. This is the exact opposite of progressivism.

One might note the word “progress” is the first part of “progressivism.” What progressives see is a concerted movement by rightwing fundamentalists to drag this country back to a past rife with rot and ruin — where civil rights are denied, where the less-fortunate are left to starve, where the elderly are ignored and left to die with no social safety net.

As for hurling names — one may want to check out the speech and actions of our president-elect. That seems to be his only expertise. JOANNE DELSOLAR Lodi