Dear Congressional Republicans . . .

I usually don’t write about politics because I don’t have anything to say that professional pundits have not said already. But every now and then the news is so bad that to ignore it is callous. 

I’ve wondered what an ordinary citizen like me in a blue state could do as the Trump presidency grows more horrific. I decided to write Republicans in Congress who, according to the Cook Political Report, represent either toss-up districts or Republican-leaning districts that are considered competitive in the November midterm election. Click here if you want to see the 18 names. Unfortunately, only residents of their districts can use the contact forms for most of them. I was able to write only six of the targets. Those six (David Schweikert of Arizona, Darrell Issa of California, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn of Iowa, Tom Barrett of Michigan, and Ryan Mackenzie of Pennsylvania) received this letter:

Dear _________,

I do not vote in your district, but I hope that you will still give me a few moments because you care about all of America.

I am frightened by what is happening in our country and don’t know where to turn except to people who can do something to change its course — elected Republicans. 

In school we were taught that the United States has three equal branches of government. But our president acts as though he is the sole authority, governed only by his own “morality.” You must assert the power given you by the Constitution. We’re at a critical point, and it’s up to you to stop the downslide. How can you not fear for the lives of your loved ones when Donald Trump controls the nuclear button? How can you not speak up when he alienates our allies and sends murderous agents into our cities? This is not the United States I knew. I can’t believe that you approve of these actions.

Our destructive president needs to be stopped now. We cannot endure another year of havoc until a new Congress is seated. Please summon your courage and oppose him. He will come down on you, but representing a district that is not MAGA, you would be admired by reasonable constituents.

Thank you for your attention.

Marianne Goss

Democrats need to pick up five seats to take the House this November, but the country can’t afford to wait until then for relief. My hope is that Republicans find their consciences and the courage to speak out now. Trump punishes opponents, but representatives in purple districts could gain more approval than they lose. 

Maybe the only effect my letter will have is to assuage my conscience, but I had to do something. And maybe I can do more, such as sending a letter to opinion pages of newspapers in the 18 districts.