CONGRESS: Do your job

Republicans must be rational and reopen the government. Common sense demands business-as-usual while pursuing comprehensive immigration reform. Mr. Trump’s last-minute demand for a wall ignores two years of Republican control — they cannot now blame the Democrats.

Congressional members represent their community, not Donald Trump. He is not their boss, and his campaign for a Mexico-funded wall creates no obligation for U.S. citizens to pay for one. Most voters and border workers do not want Trump’s version of the wall.

Congress operates independently, and need not bow to irresponsible presidential demands. Needlessly shutting the government to get money seems like kidnapping a child to demand a ransom. That is mob intimidation, not negotiation.

Pass the funding bill without the wall-ransom and let Trump veto it. Congress then can decide whether to override it. It is beyond time for Congress to be self-directed.

DENNIS REUTER

Coeur d’Alene