Ernst should forcefully denounce Trump

Sen. Joni Ernst, we are a nation of people. We are a nation of immigrants, of different religions and cultures, of different ethnicities and races and creeds. We are a melting pot. This is America. Tolerance and diversity are what we must strive toward.

President Donald Trump's recent tweets, directed against your fellow congresswomen (Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib, Pressley, and Omar) are anti-American and vile. They are racist. On the same day as ICE began its raids, he attacks the very notions of this nation. His proceeding words and actions, including describing those who chanted 'Send her [Omar] back” as 'patriots” and weighing a travel ban on Guatemala continue to illustrate this.

Racism and xenophobia do not make America great. Your immediate comments of ‘not constructive' and ‘not helpful' are ineffectual, and serve as little more than buzzwords, lacking true conviction.

As one of your constituents, I urge that you immediately decry his continued comments and actions and what they stand for in a stronger manner. You must rebuke him, loudly and publicly. This must be through your legislative actions as well as your words. Inability to do so demonstrates agreement with his incorrect beliefs and ultimately leads to our disappointment in you as a senator to uphold Iowa's values.

'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.” I still believe those words ring true. I hope you do.

Benjamin Nelson

Cedar Rapids