Letter to the editor: GOP leaders put party ahead of country

In the early ’70s, the congressional investigation of President Nixon’s involvement in the Watergate break-in provided us viewers with an excellent example of collaboration between Democratic and Republican lawmakers who placed our nation’s interest ahead of political parties. During the televised hearings, it was plain to see that the senators on the judiciary committee placed our nation’s interest ahead of political parties.

Unfortunately, that statesmanship and camaraderie is nonexistent today. Judiciary committee hearings focusing on possible obstruction of justice by the Trump administration have consisted of Republican congressmen’s refusal to delve into evidence that was revealed in Robert Mueller’s report. Their questions to witnesses do not focus on obstruction. They follow President Trump’s playbook: the Mueller report was a hoax, no faith or trust in intelligence agencies, a hostile media, blame on President Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Republican congressmen followed suit with recent witness Corey Lewandowski, former Trump campaign manager. Lewandowski refused to answer most of the questions posed by Democratic committee members, whom he addressed as “Trump haters” in his opening statement. It was clear to me that Lewandowski either sandbagged the committee or flat-out lied.

It is important that we, as voters, take note of this irresponsible behavior. I can remember when the Republican Party stood for the rule of law, compromise, bipartisanship, free trade and fiscal responsibility, but it is eroding into the Trump party, where our lawmakers exhibit blind allegiance to the president’s whims and wishes.

Michael Vranesevic

Irwin