Article 1, Section 8, of the United States Constitution, in effect since 1789, states as follows: “The Congress shall have Power to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States;” and “To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers.”
A very different interpretation of the powers of Congress, in effect, was stated in 2025 by Republican Representative Troy Nehls of Texas: “If Donald Trump says jump 3 feet high and scratch your head, we all jump 3 feet and scratch our heads. That’s it.”
Some 21 months into the Trump Administration, it is indisputable that the vast majority of Republican representatives are in accord with Nehls, regardless of the nature and importance of the larger issues.
They have abrogated all but a thin shell of their responsibility to the nation, the Constitution, and our allies abroad for no better reason than cheap expediency.
Were Donald Trump a competent and conscientious president, committed to national advancement, or if we were threatened by a genuine national emergency, this nullification of our essential checks and balances might be temporarily excusable.
But Trump’s only commitment is to his vain and vacuous self, in which cause he will lie, steal, cheat and instantly betray. This is the creed of the narcissist, not the statesman.
Trump’s greed, self-worship and authoritarian bearing, not to mention his serial genuflection to Vladimir Putin, constitute the gravest domestic threat to the national well-being since the Civil War.
But in the 1860s, the Republican Party provided worthwhile leadership, not now.
Granted, it is not easy for a Republican even to publicly question Trump, much less to strongly oppose him. But courage is most difficult when it is most required.
Over the course of a long campaign, replete with numerous public appearances and innumerable media advertisements, John Braun has left no indication whatsoever that he is anything other than another Troy Nehls. Given the track record of this Congress, what could be expected, anyway?
Our incumbent congresswoman, in welcome contrast, is no stranger to standing alone.
Vote for Marie Gluesenkamp Perez.
Joseph Tipler
Centralia
