Dear Congressman Cline,

A person hardly knows what to do.

We just keep getting these mechanical letters. Your face, all smiles, and your proud support for the Trump administration’s directives.

Nothing works.

We’d pray, but God might get confused. All these different screams swirling around God’s ears. Dear God, make DOGE go away. Dear God, save us from vaccines. Dear God, save the babies. Dear God, rescue Kilmar from that concentration camp in El Salvador. Dear God, catch all the gangs. Dear God, spare the billionaires. Dear God.

Actually, God bless America comes out of EVERYBODY’s mouth.

We’ve emailed you. We’ve phoned your office—

Shirley: Hi there. Please, who am I speaking with? Are you an employee? An intern?

Her: I’m Rebecca. I’m an intern.

S: I don’t understand how Cline can continue his support for Trump. You, too? Aren’t you uneasy?

R: We don’t express opinions. I’ll pass on your message.

S: No, it’s just for you. I encourage you to resign.

Another time—

Shirley: Doxie? (Huh? Had Shirley gotten her name right?) Are you an intern?

D: A legislative aide.

S: Are you okay with what’s going on?

D: I just pass on messages.

S: No, I know he’s getting lots of messages. I just wanted to talk with you. The ICE raids yesterday—people getting carried off. It made me think of Germany. I suggest you hand in your resignation if you feel that what’s happening is wrong.

Once in a while Paulson telephoned and then emailed, too (the same message). Shirley even went to the post office for postcard stamps—

Dear Mr. Cline, could you meet with some of us? How about some afternoon at the library in Harrisonburg? Can you give us a little time, please? Can you email me to arrange for this?

Dear Mr. Cline, I asked yesterday if you might meet with some of us. Not a mob, just a small group. I mentioned the library, but Magpie Diner on N. Liberty St. would work, too. What do you think?

Dear Mr. Cline, another fine place might be Drifter’s Cafe. It’s on N. Liberty, same as Magpie Diner. Or even Rebecca, Mr. Cline, if you’re too busy. Can Rebecca come over? Hang out with us for a bit?

Doesn’t seem like we deserve being neglected like this, sir.

What else to do?

Love from us

 


 




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