To the Editor:

The dead silence of the Republican members in Congress responding to Trump’s blatantly racist comments against sitting members of Congress tells me clearly that they are not interested in representing their constituents. If they had any concern for them (you), they would have — at the very least — mumbled that they didn’t agree with Trump. They haven’t, which I interpret as dereliction of duty. Once a senator or congressional representative takes office, they are,  by constitutional design, obligated to uphold the constitution and to protect the interests of all of their district’s citizens. Each one of them swore to do so when taking office. 

 These silent representatives are doing nothing. They seem to be trying to keep their jobs in Washington by staying silent. They continue to sit on their hands while Sen. Mitch McConnell directs a work stoppage in the Senate, continuing the 10-plus year congressional log jam designed to thwart anything that smacks of helping any group other than the rich. What changes that have occurred in the operations of government departments have largely been by executive orders rather than by congressional debate, advice, compromise and vote.

These people we hired are clearly AWOL and should be jettisoned. 

Penny Wallace

Waynesville