To the editor: The story of President Trump chiseling away at Congress’ energy is hardly information anymore (“With gavel in hand, Trump chisels away on the energy of a compliant Congress,” July 21). The decline of Congress as an efficient establishment has been taking place for years — slowly at first however accelerating in latest occasions. What succeeded within the 18th century doesn’t tackle the realities of the twenty first.
The final and solely occasion by which Congress declared battle earlier than vital hostilities started was in 1812. In at present’s fast-paced world, it’s almost not possible for greater than 500 legislators to make swift, well-informed selections, particularly on issues of nationwide safety. Basic change is lengthy overdue.
For Congress to reclaim its function as an equal companion among the many three branches of presidency, it have to be restructured to satisfy the calls for of our period. Whereas the US is extra of a republic than a direct democracy, Congress may — and will — embrace republican ideas of delegation and effectivity, significantly in areas like nationwide safety. Solely by way of such reforms can Congress regain its relevance and successfully serve the nation.
Jack Kaczorowski, Los Angeles
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To the editor: As Lisa Mascaro writes, there’s a “switch of political energy, from Capitol Hill to the White Home as a compliant Congress is ceding increasingly of its prerogative to the presidency.”
What occurred to the steadiness of energy? What occurred to legislators representing the desire of their constituency?
Sadly, we’re witnessing and feeling the consequences of an imperial presidency. His whim is their command. His energy overrides the regulation. Fearful legislators not have the well-being of constituents as their guideline.
The “No Kings” protests voiced our issues that authoritarianism shouldn’t management our lives and well-being. We proceed to hope for justice to revive steadiness to this democracy, not a kingdom.
Lenore Navarro Dowling, Los Angeles
