Letter to the editor: Republicans turn backs on Constitution

It seems state Republicans have given up on the U.S. Constitution. State Senate Resolution 234, authored by Republicans Kim Ward, Scott Martin, Joe Pittman and Ryan Aument, “voices support for the Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.”

The U.S. Supreme Court ordered Texas to allow federal immigration agents access to the state’s border with Mexico, where Texas officials have deployed miles of concertina wire. Abbott, however, continues to deny border access by his refusal to remove the barrier.

Abbott’s action is a blatant disregard of federal authority that we have not seen since desegregation cases of the 1950s and 1960s. Yet state Republicans voice support.

Abbott wrote that the U.S. has “broken the compact between the United States and the States.” South Carolina’s Articles of Succession used similar language. And state Republicans voice support.

Abbott states that the Texas Constitution is “supreme law of the land and supersedes any federal statutes to the contrary.” Abbott shamelessly voices contempt for the constitutional authority of the federal government. Still, state Republicans voice support.

Republicans find democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution to be inconvenient. That they are somehow optional. Republicans are wrong, and it is dangerous.

Your vote matters. Reject antidemocratic Republicans.

Michael Pardus

Penn Township, Westmoreland County