Our newly minted representative for Congress in the 10th District is Lisa McClain and her first official vote was to object to confirming the November election of Joe Biden. She joined what some are calling the “Sedition Caucus” of the Republican Party, sticking with this undermining exercise even following the attack on the Capitol. Rep McClain in her explanation for her position, stated that she had heard from her constituents. She most certainly did. I know she heard from many, including myself, who told her we expected her to follow the law and confirm the election, but apparently our voices were not the ones she heard. I requested to know the break down for the calls they were receiving when I called. The staffer refused to reveal that information, but said they would get back to me on that.
Rep. McClain also stated that she studied the facts. One wonders what facts those were. Apparently not the fact that 62 of the 63 lawsuits filed by the Trump administration in regards to the election, including one before the Supreme Court, were either dismissed or lost. What about the fact that the election was not close in either the popular vote or the electoral vote? Then there is the fact that that there has been no evidence of widespread fraud. What about the fact that countless local clerks, observers—both Republican and Democrat—worked tirelessly and courageously to hold the election in trying circumstances, even risking their health and lives in a pandemic? These facts have not stopped the creation of endless rumors for the purpose of creating suspicion, leading to calls for endless investigations, having the circular effect of creating distrust and suspicion. But rumors are not facts, even if repeated on multiple platforms.
Rep. McClain now states that calls for impeachment of the president would just create “more drama” with barely two weeks before he leaves office. There are good reasons to impeach, even with a few days left. There need to be repercussions for trying to overturn democracy. Impeachment would remove his ability to pardon himself and to run for office again. If McClain’s stated motivation for objecting to impeachment is to avoid drama, what are her guidelines for making difficult decisions in times of crisis?
Needless to say, I am disappointed in Rep. McClain’s first actions as our representative in Congress. Let’s hope her next choices reflect a wider scope and vision, listening to more voices and uphold rather than weaken democracy.
—Miriam Marcus,
Lum
