By Donna Westfall – January 24, 2017 –
President Trump has pledged to spend one trillion dollars on infrastructure improvements. We would have expected some of those dollars would be invested in improved roads and bridges in California and especially a bypass for Last Chance Grade.
Unfortunately Congressman Huffman has put billions of dollars that would have gone to our district in jeopardy. How did he do that you ask? He decided to disrespect our new president by joining some other Democrats in boycotting the inauguration of President Trump.
During the election Congressman Huffman supported Hillary Clinton for president as many Democrats did. I have no problem with that. It’s his right, however I do have a problem when his actions hurt the 2nd Congressional District.
In a statement he said this; “I do accept the election results and support the peaceful transfer of power, but it is abundantly clear to me that with Donald Trump as our President, the United States is entering a dark and very dangerous political chapter. I will do everything I can to limit the damage and the duration of this chapter, and I believe we can get through it. But I will not sit passively and politely applaud as it begins.”
To show his disdain for the president, he did not attend the inauguration. He said he would spend the day in his district “doing positive things.”
So, how does this affect the funding of Last Chance Grade? Answer the question for yourself. How would you treat a person who deliberately disrespected you? President Trump will be able to determine which states and districts get funding for those infrastructure projects he determines are important.
In effect, Congressman Huffman has said, “not my president.” We fully expect President Trump to say, “not my kind of congressman.” I expect Congressman Huffman’s action of boycotting the event, that only happens once every four years, will be fully supported in Marin and Sonoma Counties where they have lots of cash and little need for infrastructure improvement, but it could be a disaster for Mendocino, Trinity, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties where our roads are falling apart and without federal funds we could see a total infrastructure failure.
I would hope that our congressman would find some way to show his support for President Trump so that Congressman Huffman can win the support of the president for our infrastructure needs.
Thank you, Donna for this very appropriate post. I’m not surprised but disappointed other print media did not recognize the importance of the Congressman’s disrespect for his constituents. Lin, it is not about ” Quiet down.” This about ” Speaking up.” Mr. Huffman’s disdain for the President most certainly isn’t going to ingratiate himself with President Trump who ultimately signs ( or vetoes) an important if not vital infrastructure project, like Last Chance Grade by-pass. I ask is it wise to poke your tree branch into a next of sleeping hornets? And for what? So he can attend a women’s empowerment rally in Ukiah. Last week, I wrote a letter as a private citizen to President Trump, asking him NOT to punish constituents in Del Norte County becuause we have a congressman who acted in a very unwise, petulant manner. I urge you all to do the same.
Roger Gitlin
SAMUEL My reply had nothing to do with a bubble. It was merely factual. Former US Atty General, Eric Holder was hired by the state of California to protect state laws. That may be verified by Senator Kevin De Leon of the Cal Assembly. The alt/right is visable in the Oval Ofice: Bannon, Flynn; Sessions as the new Atty General nominee. Since I don’t live in a bubble and access all different political beliefs, you are jumping to conclusions.
Lin, in case you missed it in my comment, the fact that former US Attorney General Eric Holder was being hired by the State of California was not being disputed. Similarly I do not dispute that you think the alt right has undue visibility in the Oval Office. That it is a progressive talking point which has in most circles been widely shown to be made up, I guess we will have to wait and see who is correct. Such comments in your writing do not appear to have much “give” or appreciation for “all different political beliefs”, so you no doubt will not allow me to “jump to conclusions” regarding your political intentions. As far the comment about the bubble, if you read my comment “carefully” you will note that I was referring to Congressman Huffman’s bubble not the one that you inhabit.
Which is precisely what the article is asking sans your allusion to the alt right and the former the U S attorney general. Nice job Representitive Huffman. Just couldn’t climb out of your progressive bubble long enough to be what all progressive bubble dwellers demand, when it suits them, civil and mature.
Calm down on Huffman. Trump has yet to acquire a trillion dollars for infastructure improvements and has made all sorts of promises. Promises that may, or may not, result in being fulfilled. If Trump does manage to have Congress approve a trillion for infrastructure work, it is unlikely that he would authorize any of it being earmarked to California. After all, he believes that the 3 to 5 million illegals, who he believes fraudulently voted in the last election, live in California. If Trump is anything, that would be delusional and vindictive. California has hired the previous U S Attorney General to protect state laws from Trump and his alt/right crew.