Tony Smith
Jefferson City
Dear Editor:
Recently Republicans were stunned over Donald Trump's cut-and-run policy in Syria which left our allies, the Kurds, at the mercy of Turkish ethnic cleansing. The U.S. House of Representatives voted 359 (including 129 Republicans) to 60 to censure Trump's cowardly actions. Among the 60 House Republicans who supported Trump's folly was Blaine Luetkemeyer.
Luetkemeyer thrives in a gerrymandered district which allows him to choose his own voters. He shows no real interest in constituents. Faith-based groups and environmental groups have tried to get an audience with him for years. His staff used to pretend they were working to make time for such a meeting. Years of this rope-a-dope scenario show the congressman has no interest in meeting with all constituents. This cavalier behavior is what many Americans hate about politicians. Big donors and lobbyists with money are welcome. Citizens with concerns, find the office door locked.
Visit Luetkemeyer's office on Missouri Boulevard. The door is literally locked. Since Trump's election, too many citizens showed up there unannounced. Some staged media events at his office. Some came to "constituent events" and pushed back. Blaine is nowhere to be seen. When in this district, his schedule is secret. He mostly pops in on elementary classes in his district to dazzle third-graders. Or he sneaks around to Chamber of Commerce and Farm Bureau meetings where he enjoys a "safe space." When I say sneak, I mean that. He will come in a back door to avoid any confrontation. Let's be clear, Blaine Luetkemeyer is a coward. He could not survive in a district with a balance of both parties.
Two years ago, the News Tribune asked Representative Luetkemeyer's Washington office to answer the issues I am addressing here. They gave a fantasy response about the representative's engagement in our district. Let's be clear, try to express any view different than a right-wing conservative view to Representative Luetkemeyer and see how you are treated by his staff.
Donald Trump's actions regarding Syria and the Kurds is a disgrace and should be remembered in history. Then consider Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer's approval of cowardliness over democracy. Donald Trump could not survive without such supporters who clearly lack a moral compass.