Well, as many other American citizens wonder why Republican congressional men and women are still placidly accepting what the president does to our country, I also wonder why.

The majority of the country does not want the wall, and that includes the states next to the border. What people really want is better and less expensive health care with no previous conditions applied; maintaining close ties to our NATO partners; preserving and maintaining our National Park system; protecting our food supply and drug inspection system; believe in the science of climate change; keeping strong environmental controls; funding the law enforcement agencies like the FBI; and blame Trump for the shutdown and the hardship it is causing our government workers and those businesses which rely on the funding of such necessary government functions.

Folks, this is no puzzle. The answer is that Republican Senate and House members are afraid of Trump. Why? They do not want to raise his ire and cause Trump to support someone else in the primary which might cause them to lose their very plush government jobs. They care more about their high salaries and privileges than their patriotism. This Trump shutdown is being continued despite the suffering of government workers, the losses of our safety in the interim caused by defunding the Coast Guard, TSA agents and air traffic controllers.

Richard Sengpiehl,

Lawrence