Function of positions

Can it be only seven years now since congressional Republicans began railing against Obamacare and passing bill after bill in the House attempting to repeal the object of their scorn? And never once producing any coherent approach to a viable replacement?

Last year they were joined in the effort by our now bloviater-in-chief who repeatedly promised that on “Day One” he would repeal Obamacare and replace it with “something great” which would provide excellent health care for everyone for much less cost.

We’re still waiting, over two months into the new presidency, and over four months since Republicans gained control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. They appear to be in agreement only in fearing that they are in danger of losing control of their majorities. In the meantime, we continue to be amused by the proliferation of named splinter groups of Republicans who have differing views of the relationship between citizens and Congress: Freedom Caucus, Tea Party, NeoConservatives, Christian Conservatives, Liberty Caucus, Log Cabin Republicans, Republicans for Choice, Paleoconservatives, etc.

Perhaps if they thought less about holding on to their high positions and more about the constitutional basis for those positions, they—and all Americans—would be better off. They should reread—or perhaps read for the first time—the preamble to our Constitution, wherein the purposes of the government are clearly stated.

They would find there both the guidance for their mission and, I hope, the inspiration for productive action appropriate to their elected positions. DENNIS A. BERRY

Bryant