Republicans, stand up to Trump | Readers respond

What will it take for the leaders of the Republican Party to put the values and needs of the American people ahead of their desire for power and their goal of destroying whatever "liberal" successes the previous administration had accomplished, such as health care and clean air and water? House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have refused to condemn or criticize the latest revelations of duplicity and mendacity by the Trump family ("Emails escalate Russia furor," Thursday).

Donald Jr.'s tweeting of emails detailing his meeting with a Russian lawyer who was said to have harmful evidence about Hillary Clinton was not done for transparency, but to lessen the impact. His almost humorous defense was that the information wasn't useful, so it couldn't be a crime, and besides, look at what Clinton did.

And our elected representatives continue to cower. They say nothing about the damage to our country's reputation and influence, or to the safety, health, and constitutional rights of our people, or they make weak excuses for fear the base will not reelect them if they take a stand against their leader, who campaigned on "Make America Great Again."

Who knew it would be so hard to govern?

— Marlene Lieber, Medford

No one in Pennsylvania — not even a Republican — should back Sen. Pat Toomey's Medicaid cuts in his Trumpcare bill.
Gov. Wolf wonders how Pennsylvania will "deal with the terrifying reality of deep cuts to Medicaid." One example: my disabled brother lives in a Medicaid personal-care home in Hazleton. If his Medicaid is cut, he'll be homeless with no medication. Washington Post columnist George Will ("Toomey's Medicaid reform," Thursday) should visit this home and see the desperate people who live there. They rely solely on Medicaid to stay alive. How many more stories are there like this in Pennsylvania?

Additionally, this home provides jobs for Hazleton.

Toomey's bill (the Inquirer has called Toomey the ringleader of Trumpcare) has been denounced by the American Medical Association, the Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Physicians, and more. The AARP said it will harm seniors, and University of Pennsylvania researchers found it would harm the disabled.

Interestingly, Toomey received millions of dollars in campaign contributions from HMO stakeholders and medical-equipment manufacturers. It seems that Toomey is more loyal to his campaign contributors than Pennsylvanians.

— Claire Gawinowicz, Oreland

"Fiscal hawk Pat Toomey is not an economist (he has a Bachelor of Arts degree in government from Harvard). He adheres to theories that many experts have discredited, including the "trickle-down" theory that helping the richest sectors grow richer will benefit the rest of us by stimulating economic growth. He opposes a minimum wage or any measure that would stimulate demand (and growth) from the bottom up.

His argument that reducing Medicaid support for health care will not harm anyone because states can make up the difference is bonkers ("Toomey holds firm," Thursday). Has he paid any attention to Pennsylvania, a state that two years in a row passed a budget without any revenue to support it? A state with a structural deficit its legislators are unable or unwilling to fix?

Toomey has business experience, but it is becoming obvious that entrusting the business of government to businessmen is a fundamental mistake.

— Dale Kinney, Bala Cynwyd

Where politicos and bureaucrats have failed miserably, "We the People" takes a new meaning in the person of one courageous grandmother who is fighting back against the hell that surrounds her Kensington home, threatening her family and neighbors ("Hope amid heroin crisis," July 2). Mariana Bernard is taking back her neighborhood one street at a time, a far smarter plan than hopelessly waiting for a solution from inept city leaders. Bernard is the true community leader.

While reading the horrifying reports of the suffering in this once-proud and thriving community, we must wonder whether there cannot be a "call to action" to other grandparents and groups to assist Bernard and her "bodyguard," Gladys Moyes. Philadelphia may have a dismal record for its government, but Philly people have always had a can-do attitude. The courage of these two ladies challenges us to respond.

Yo, Philly, any thoughts from seniors clubs, scouts, student community-service projects, church outreach, or social clubs? Adopt a street for the children. Let them learn the true spirit of brotherly love.

— Margaret Smith, Ocean City