Letter: Legislators need courage

To the Editor:

We certainly do live in a strange time when legislators pledge allegiance to someone whose first words in his presidential campaign were to accuse a whole people of being rapists and murderers. Next, he seemed to delight in making an elderly gold star couple feel uncomfortable to the point that the wife was brought to tears.

There are almost countless examples to cite, including his stating that grabbing a part of the anatomy of women is a way to subdue them.

Why, in heaven’s name, do seemingly rational people bend their knees to such a person?

Psychology can answer that question, but the point being made here is that many legislators have forgotten who elected them.

They listen to the minority of those who have abandoned the values of sportsmanship, neighborliness, kindness, etc. The majority of voters who elect members of legislatures still believe in protecting children from violence, in letting families deal with their most intimate problems without the state telling them it knows better than they do about what is best for them. The majority of those who elect legislators still believe in democracy and do not wish to be governed by a king. They still believe in facts, not conspiracy theories. They do want government which means laws which promote health and safety. They want true government, not rule by the few led by an oligarch.

Legislators need to think, to reason. If they listen to the majority of their constituents and pass laws which the majority want, they, the legislators, will be reelected.

Legislators need to be brave and listen to the majority, and not take the money of entities which control drug prices, promote weapons which take away the tranquility of children and adults, and they need to not listen to the enterprises which poison the land, air, and water.

Legislators need courage!

Virginia M. Jones

Oak Ridge

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Letter: Legislators need courage