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Why are Republicans just now rebuking Steve King’s racism? Readers sound off

From Steve King's comments to the government shutdown to helping caregivers, our readers sound off on recent headlines.

USA TODAY

Letter to the editor:

Longtime, well-known bigot and anti-immigrant Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2003. But only now has the Republican Party decided to distance itself from him, recently having indicated that King has been removed from all committees on which he has served — an action that will render him less prominent and harmful to our nation and its values. 

King has no doubt felt emboldened to bring his intolerance and contempt for those who are not like him to the forefront during the Trump administration. This is a presidency that has become the darling of white supremacists.

GOP and Steve King

When asked to comment on King, the president — who is glued to cable news and has even commented on Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ divorce — claimed ignorance, stating with a straight face that he “has not followed” the news regarding King. 

It would be interesting to know why the GOP has chosen this moment to finally distance itself from a figure who tarnishes its reputation. Is it principle or fear of losing the Senate and the White House in 2020? 

Oren Spiegler; Township, Pa.

Federal workers

Elected officials have failed Americans

Letter to the editor:

I am, unfortunately, one of the 800,000 furloughed government employees. I do not believe in partisan politics. I believe all employees of the government have a responsibility to uphold the Constitution and act in the best interest of the American taxpayers. 

Our own selfish desire should not usurp or change our responsibility of doing what is needed, acting in the benefit the public. I do not dispute nor agree with the wall. If the wall is needed, provide the facts that justify it. Do not play up political lines and half-truths to draw justification.

Talker:Don't forget Republicans are responsible for Trump's shutdown

I do, however, believe that shutting down the government is amoral. Congress and the president exist for one purpose: run (and properly fund) the government. By not passing a fiscal budget and shutting down the government, our elected officials have failed one of their most basic responsibilities to the American taxpayers. 

Paul Gauthier; Little Elm, Texas

SOTU letter

Negotiate on behalf of the people

Letter to the editor:

I do think there is a need for border security. But I also think a wall isn’t the answer. We can manage border security in a less corporal way.

I also know that there is a serious impact on the job markets by undocumented workers “taking our jobs.” But let’s get real, let’s start with President Donald Trump’s golf courses and hotels, where they hire undocumented workers and provide them phony paperwork. How about that?

It does no good to blame Democrats, or even Republicans.

Related:PayPal is putting shutdown border wall politics aside to help government workers

We need elected officials who can act more grownup and negotiate on behalf of the people they’re supposed to represent. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is giving up all decision-making to the president, and that’s not his job. How about we start holding these people accountable for their actions? This political game-playing is a joke to the people.

Jim Crawford; Cotati, Calif.

Monkey wrench

Trump keeps pulling stunts, hurting us

Letter to the editor:

The stunts pulled by President Donald Trump and his administration have again managed to successfully divert our attention away from true crises — climate change, famine, disease, health care, literacy and poverty in the U.S. 

Related:Grading President Donald Trump in his second year

It shows a continued lack of conscience and disconnect between “We, the People” and those few with power and the money to support it. When did figures such as $5.7 billion fail to lose their significance in the minds of taxpayers? These are not abstract amounts; it’s the accumulation of money we’ve earned and taxes we paid the government in good faith that it would not be wasted on pet projects like barriers between nations. 

Pamela Baillargeon; Port Ludlow, Wash.

Caregivers need assistance, as well

Letter to the editor:

There’s no doubt about the impact that health conditions of a family member can have on the whole family, especially when the person in need of care is no longer independent. The impact is compounded by financial insecurities and who else is available and willing to help, including extended family and friends, and community resources. 

Imagine being 11 years old without siblings and your single parent or single grandparent (who is your guardian) becomes ill and unable to work. 

Actor Rob Lowe:I was my sick mother's caregiver, don't underestimate the stress caregivers face

If one compares a youth caregiver attending school to an employed family caregiver, the effect on academic life is like the workplace. An adult caregiver may be late to work; a youth caregiver may be late to school and/or miss school alogether. 

The only national study, released in 2005, reports an estimated 1.3-1.4 million caregiving youth ages 8-18. As our population ages with more advanced treatments and technology, more single-parent and multigeneration households, as well as more grandparents raising grandchildren, it’s no wonder that the number of children providing care is rapidly growing and requires attention from health care, education, government and the public. 

Connie Siskowski, president of American Association of Caregiving Youth; Boca Raton, Fla.

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