I write southern historical fiction, local history, and I've written a devotional book. The two novels I'm writing are set in Virginia and the Carolinas in the 1760s. My weekly blog started out to follow my journey as a writer and a reader, but in 2025 it has been greatly expanded to include current events and politics in the United States as I see our democracy under attack from within. The political science major in me cannot sit idly by and remain silent.
I continue to read the newsletters my U.S. Representative sends me. I don’t know why I keep subjecting myself to them. Why are we tempted to turn our heads and look when we pass an accident on the highway? My reading these newsletters falls in that same category.
Photo by Simon Ray on Unsplash
In part, last Saturday he wrote, “Congressional Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, have officially forced the federal government into a shutdown.
“Even though House Republicans passed a continuing resolution to fund the government two weeks ago, Senate Democrats are holding the federal government hostage.
“Like you, I believe your hard-earned tax dollars shouldn’t go towards [sic] absurd expenditures, like healthcare for illegal aliens, transgender surgeries, and payments for deceased individuals on Medicaid rolls. Yet these are among the absurd demands Democrats are making.”
He also wrote, “I am leading a dozen lawmakers in demanding accountability for the FDA’s approval of a lethal abortion drug…. The government shutdown is the perfect opportunity to clear out bureaucrats who are not aligned with the values of this Administration and the American people.”
My response to my Congressman
I copied my response to Congressman Harris. Unfortunately, I deleted it before I had a chance to paste it into this blog post.
I was respectful, but I told him I find his newsletters offensive. I told him in my 70+ years he is the first U.S. Representative I have ever had who continually blames the other political party for every problem in our country.
I told him I am offended that the Republicans, at the lead of President Trump, call Democrats, government employees, and journalists “enemies of the people.” I told him I don’t consider myself “an enemy of the people.”
I told him that he in no way represents me.
I told him that even though his newsletter usually mentions Christian values, I do not see any Christian values reflected in his newsletters or in anything President Trump says or does. I told him I see nothing in the Trump Administration that reflect the teachings of Jesus Christ.
I wish I had thought to point out to him that it is against the law to fire federal employees just for the fun of it during a government shutdown, so it’s not the “perfect opportunity to clear out bureaucrats who are not aligned with the values of this Administration and the American people.” Of course, that won’t stop Trump from doing it.
I told him “I see our country crumbling, and it is a sad and horrifying thing to see.”
Here’s the response I received from Representative Mark Harris
[This section of my blog has been left blank because I have not received a response from Representative Harris.]
In conclusion
It’s a bad feeling when you know your President sees you as less than human (i.e., last Saturday’s “gnat” comment) because you’re a registered Democrat. It’s starting to feel like my Congressman agrees with him.
I miss the “good old days” when Americans were Americans and not seen as liberals or conservatives, Democrats or Republicans, human beings or “gnats.” States were just states. They weren’t “red states” and “blue states.” Just states. Just the United States.
I dream of the day when we can go back to just being Americans.
In case you were getting optimistic about the U.S. Congress (and let me be clear, I have no idea why you would have been), let me share with you a portion of the email I received on Saturday from the man who “represents” my district in the U.S. House of Representatives.
I said “from the man who ‘represents’ my district” because I cannot say “from the man who represents ME in the U.S. House of Representatives.” He does not represent me in any way, shape, or form.
The United States Capitol Photo by Kyle Mills on Unsplash
His hate-filled newsletters and emails do not reflect any of my core values, even though he is a preacher. In fact, that makes his name-calling and prejudiced statements seem that much more vile.
I know from my experience working in local government that electing a minister to a county commission or city council can go sour very quickly. The U.S. Congress is no different. Politics brings out the worst traits in people.
There is an important reason why our country was founded on the idea of separation of church and state. It’s part of the First Amendment – you know, that Amendment that was openly attacked last week by the Trump Administration.
The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America
Back to Mark Harris’ September 22, 2025, email…
The Biden Administration
This is what U.S. Representative Mark Harris remembers from the four years of the Biden Administration: “Under the Biden administration, the FBI spent more time and resources targeting Christians and churches than violent criminals. But the era of weaponizing our justice department is over!”
What is he talking about?
FBI Director Kash Patel
I watched FBI Director Kash Patel appear before the House Judiciary Committee last week. What I saw was a defiant, rude, nervous man fumbling with a hundred little pieces of paper. What I saw was a man who refused to answer “Yes” and “No” questions. I saw a man who lashed out at members of Congress. I saw a man who performed that day for an audience of one on Pennsylvania Avenue.
This is what U.S. Representative Mark Harris saw: “This week, FBI Director Kash Patel appeared before the House Judiciary Committee, and his testimony made one thing clear: law and order have returned. Joe Biden’s FBI targeted parents at school board meetings, Catholics, pro-lifers, and everyday Americans. But President Trump and Kash Patel put an end to all of it!”
In closing
The icing on the cake was the next sentence in Mr. Harris’s email to me: “America is a safer place than it was 9 months ago.”
Why don’t I feel safer?
He feels safe because he is voting the way Trump wants him to vote and he is saying the things Trump wants him to say. He will feel safe until he learns that his loyalty to Trump is not reciprocated. Trump will eventually turn on Mr. Harris because Trump turns on his supporters when he no longer needs them. Isn’t that what mob bosses do?
And why didn’t Mr. Harris address the fact that freedom of speech is under siege in the United States?
“Look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way.” ~ Brandon Carr, Federal Communications Commissioner, September 17, 2025
I guess Mr. Harris wasn’t paying attention on September 17. He was too busy doing Trump’s bidding and basking in his newfound sense of security.
I have emailed Mr. Harris with various concerns. His responses only serve to remind me that he and Dear Leader are right and I am wrong. Nevertheless, I will keep reminding him who he works for and to what document — not to which man — he pledged his allegiance when he took the oath of office.
“No taxation without representation!” It is 1775 all over again.
After seeing pictures of armored vehicles patrolling the streets of Washington, DC last week, I was pleased on Friday that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) issued an “Action Alert” called “Call to Action: Lamenting Increased Militarism on our City Streets.”
The Call to Action for members to write letters opened with two Bible verses:
“They shall beat their swords into plowshares… neither shall they learn war anymore.” —Isaiah 2:4
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” —Matthew 5:9
PC(USA) Call to Action
Church members were encouraged to personalize the letter and send it to President Trump, Vice President Vance, their U.S. Senators, and their U.S Representative. The letters sent out by the denomination read as follows:
“As followers of Jesus Christ and members of the Presbyterian Church (USA), scripture calls us to speak with moral clarity in times of injustice. Today, we lament the increasing militarization of our cities and public spaces—a trend that undermines public trust, deepens racial and economic injustice, and distracts from policies that criminalize poverty, target immigrants and vulnerable populations, and threaten democracy.
“In recent years, law enforcement agencies nationwide have increasingly utilized military-grade weapons, advanced surveillance technologies, and patrolled our city streets with marked and unmarked armored vehicles. Under the first Trump administration this trend reached new and dangerous heights. In June 2020, peaceful protestors in Lafayette Square were violently dispersed with tear gas and riot control tactics, clearing the way for a photo opportunity misappropriating the Christian religion as a justification for authoritarian control. Federal agents were deployed to cities like Portland without the consent of local officials—actions condemned by civil rights organizations, faith leaders, and international observers alike.
“While these images drew public outcry in years past, the patterns of state violence have not only continued but evolved in recent months under the current Trump Administration. This misuse of policing is not impartial as it disproportionately targets Black and brown communities. Children and teenagers have become primary targets in federal crackdowns masquerading as public safety efforts. In major cities, ICE enforcement actions have significantly increased. Sweeps targeting immigrant and unhoused communities are being conducted with tactical units, not housing specialists or social workers.
“This month, despite violent crime in Washington, D.C. being at a 30-year low—with violent crime down 26%, homicides down 12%, carjackings down 37%, and overall incidents down more than 35% from 2023— President Trump declared a safety emergency and invoked a little-used clause of the D.C. Home Rule Act to seize control of the Metropolitan Police Department and deploy 800 National Guard troops under federal authority for 30 days. City leaders, legal experts, and faith communities have denounced this action as politically motivated, unlawful, and an attack on local governance. Nevertheless, President Trump has publicly threatened to expand this strategy to New York City and Chicago, even hinting at the potential use of martial-law-style control.
“As people of faith, we affirm that every person is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This sacred truth means that each life carries inherent dignity, worth, and agency, not to be denied by the state or reduced to a security threat. When the state targets our youth and treats Black neighborhoods with hostility, it violates not only human rights but the divine imprint each person bears.
“Our Christian faith and Reformed tradition speak clearly in this moment. We must faithfully resist the idolatry of power and bear witness to God’s peace. God’s vision for peace does not involve militaristic city takeovers, riot shields, or forced sweeps. Proper public safety arises from access to affordable housing, mental health care, community-led safety programs, and accountable, demilitarized law enforcement. The prophet Isaiah envisions a world where tools of war are transformed into tools of growth. Jesus declares that “peacemakers will be called children of God” and teaches that answering violence with more violence and showing overwhelming force are not the ways of Jesus.
“The PC(USA) has taken strong, faithful stands. The 224th General Assembly (2020) called for an end to the transfer of military equipment to local police forces and a shift toward nonviolent, community-centered public safety approaches.
As Presbyterians, we must not remain neutral in the face of injustice. We must act with moral clarity in this moment.
“1. Tell Congress today to end militarized policing, defund inhumane enforcement, and reject the Administration’s unnecessary federal authority to control cities within 30 days.
“2. Support local organizing by joining or supporting immigrant justice and housing coalitions.
“3. Engage congregations by hosting a discussion, worship service, or prayer vigil on militarization, racial justice, and immigration using PC(USA) resources.
“Let us be the peacemakers Jesus calls us to be. Let us resist the machinery of fear and stand for a world rooted in justice, compassion, and hope.”
What I did
In response, I emailed U.S. Senator Thom Tillis and U.S. Senator Ted Budd of North Carolina.
Then, I attempted to email my Congressman, U.S. Representative Mark Harris. The first problem I encountered was that Mr. Harris does not accept emails longer than 2,000 characters. I edited my letter to meet those limitations.
The second problem I ran into was that when I hit the “send” button, I received a message saying that Representative Harris’ office did not have a server available to receive my email.
I guess while Congress is on an extended five-week vacation, my Representative’s office decided to give its email server a break, too.
I am well aware that contacting the offices of my two U.S. Senators and my U.S. Representative are futile wastes of my time and energy, but these are just about the only options I have to try to save our democracy. I won’t get a chance to vote again until November 2026, if Trump lets us have another election.
Just thought I’d let you know how we’re doing here in the United States.
Hurricane Helene Update
As of Friday, of the 1,457 roads that were closed in western North Carolina last September due to Hurricane Helene, 34 were closed, which is one less than reported the week before. As in the previous Friday’s report, the NC Department of Transportation reported that 39 roads have just partial access.
Progress is slow, but I will point out that here in western and the piedmont of North Carolina, we’ve had rain for the last two weeks. I’m not exaggerating. The sun came out on Friday. The sun and the blue sky were a welcome sight!
Of course, I-40 in North Carolina at the Tennessee border is still just one lane in each direction with a 35 mile-per-hour speed limit for the foreseeable future
On a positive note, on Friday, the National Park Service reopened an 8-mile section of the Blue Ridge Parkway from Milepost 221.8 to 229.7 in North Carolina near the Virginia border. There was a landslide at Milepost 224.9 due to Hurricane Helene.
Friday’s opening makes it possible for visitors to once again drive on a 20-mile stretch of the parkway from Virginia to Doughton Park, including access to Doughton Park campground and The Bluffs restaurant.
I didn’t plan to blog today, but the I received an email from my Congressional Representative. (I refer to him as “Representative” only because that is his title. He represents me in name only.)
My frustration and disgust with the way things are going in the United States this year builds up in me until I just have to rant. I tried to wait a whole week, but it didn’t work out. I really am trying to be a better person, but the powers that be are making it ever so difficult.
I originally titled today’s post, “Thoughts about Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill,” but then I realized that it’s not Trump’s bill any more. Both houses of Congress now own it. And every U.S. Representative seat and one-third of the U.S. Senate seats will be up for grabs in November 2026. It’s interesting how all but a handful of the Republicans gleefully voted for it.
Photo Credit: Andra C. Taylor Jr on unsplash.com
The Big, Beautiful Bill
The so-called Big, Beautiful Bill was narrowly passed by the House of Representatives and was sent to the Senate. The Senate made some changes to it and it passed by one vote only because Vice President J.D. Vance voted to break the tie after Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska caved in to pressure from her fellow Republicans.
At least in the end, North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis decided to come down on the right side of history. He voted against the bill on the Senate’s final vote because he knew it would take Medicaid coverage away from probably more than 600,000 North Carolinians and possibly result in the closure of some rural hospitals.
The bill then returned to the House of Representatives where it was once again approved by a narrow margin. President Trump signed it into law on Friday with his big, beautiful black Sharpie pen while fighter jets flew over the White House. All his celebrations seem excessive, very expensive, and “in your face” to most Americans.
Polls showed that 60% of Americans were against the bill, but Donald Trump rules and 99% of the Republicans in the House and Senate fall in line without question. After all, they left their consciences at the door when they went in to cast their votes.
Speaking of the Big, Beautiful Bill, according to US Senator Ted Budd…
I received a newsletter from Ted Budd, one of the US Senators from North Carolina. This is how he explained how wonderful Trump’s Big, Beautiful Bill is and why he voted for the bill that increased our national debt by more than $3 trillion:
“This week, the Senate amended and passed President Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ which included major reforms to slow the ballooning cost of government programs and root out waste, fraud, and abuse.
“The bottom line is this – the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ lowers taxes for families, makes our country safer and more secure, and unleashes economic growth for the future.
“I voted in favor of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act because the people of North Carolina deserve more of their hard-earned wages, a more secure border, a reinvigorated military, responsible spending reforms for government programs, and a thriving economy.
“Helping Americans keep more money in their pockets by extending key provisions of President Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Preventing the largest tax increase in American history will save the average North Carolinian $2,474 in 2026.
“Working families will receive significant savings with the increase and permanence of the child tax credit, expanded tax credits for paid leave, enhanced 529 savings accounts, and additional childcare access.
“This legislation lowers taxes for seniors relying on Social Security.
“AND SO MUCH MORE …”
Yeah, right, Senator Budd. You just keep believing that.
Interesting that he forgot to mention what the bill did to Medicaid recipients in North Carolina and the national debt.
U.S. Representative Mark Harris’ email about the Big, Beautiful Bill
The icing on the cake for me was when I received a response on Tuesday from US Representative Mark Harris. I had emailed him (again… and again) imploring him to represent the people of the 8th District of NC instead of Donald Trump.
Since he is (or was) a Baptist minister, I finally even pulled the Christianity card on him … to no avail. With the fraud that surrounded his campaign a few years ago in which his own son testified against him and which forced him to drop out of that race, I was not surprised that my words about “caring for the least of these” fell on deaf ears.
His response to me was, in part: “On July 3, 2025, I proudly voted in favor of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1 when it passed the House by a vote of 218 to 214. It was signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. With this crucial reconciliation package across the finish line, President Trump will be empowered to continue leading America into a new golden age.
“First and foremost, this legislation unlocks President Trump’s America First agenda and will help keep our economy strong by lowering taxes for individuals, families, and small businesses.”
After listing a few of the wonderful ways the bill will make us all rich again in this “golden age” he wrote, “Additionally, the bill fulfills our promise to keep our communities safe and our country sovereign. It fully funds our border security by providing $175 billion to hire of thousands of new ICE agents, add detention beds, bring on more immigration judges to streamline the deportation of illegal aliens, and complete a strong and secure border wall.”
Jesus must be so proud of him!
Mr. Harris, I’m sure you will seek reelection in 2026, because you obviously have no shame and haven’t read the New Testament in a very long time. You are actually proud of voting for $175 billion to hire thousands of new ICE agents and add detention beds!
Mr. Harris, will the thousands of new ICE agents be as heartless and cowardly as the ones we already have who are afraid to show their faces? Will they be as sick as the officers who showed up in Los Angeles this week just to intimidate families enjoying an afternoon in a public park?
Everything about this “Big, Beautiful Bill” makes me sick. It reeks of turning America into a police state. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer, the sick get sicker, and no one but the wealthiest among us know who or what they can depend on.
Mr. Harris’ email sent me right over the edge last night. I’ve never felt so un-represented in my life.
Until my next blog post
I hope you have a good book to read.
Do what you can to give aid and comfort to the people affected by the flood in Texas.
Remember the people of Ukraine and western North Carolina.
I was having a pretty good Saturday afternoon. It wasn’t raining and it was warm. My fibromyalgia pain was lessening with the dry day and temperatures in the high 70s. The incessant wind had brought some of the smoke from the wildfires in Manitoba to the southern piedmont of North Carolina, blocking the sun, but I was inside doing Saturday chores and catching up on some filing and correspondence.
Then, I made the mistake of clicking on the newsletter from my Representative in the US House. I use “Representative” loosely because he does not represent me at all.
Photo Credit: Andra C. Taylor Jr on unsplash.com
I have had Republicans represent my district in the US House, and I have had Democrats represent me in the US House. I have read their newsletters and emails through the years, but I must say the newsletter I received today from Representative Mark Harris (that’s the Rev. Mark Harris) is by far the most partisan, biased, and lie-filled communication I have ever received from any of them.
I will let Rev. Harris’ May 31, 2025, newsletter speak for itself, so no one can accuse me of slander. I hate to give Harris any publicity, but his newsletter is so off-the charts for someone who is supposed to serve all his constituents, I just have to share it.
Here it is, in all its glory and entirety, minus all the photographs because they would have copy and download into WordPress:
“Dear Janet,
Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have diligently worked to identify waste, fraud, and abuse, ensuring responsible use of taxpayer funds. Now, it’s time to make DOGE’s reforms permanent.
“Rescission authority” allows the President and Congress to cancel previously allocated spending which would solidify DOGE’s efforts.
Next week, the White House is scheduled to submit a rescissions package to Congress, incorporating many of DOGE’s proposed cuts, including frivolous expenditures such as:
$45 million for diversity scholarships in Burma
$6 million for tourism promotion in Egypt
$9 million for gender norm initiatives
$47,000 for a transgender opera in Colombia
These extravagant pet projects are unjustifiable. American taxpayers should not be footing the bill for the Left’s wish list. I promise to fight to cement DOGE’s legacy and rein in the Swamp’s out-of-control spending habits.
Defunding NPR
Let me be very clear: there’s nothing in the First Amendment that requires taxpayer dollars to prop up Left-wing propaganda.
In addition to making good on DOGE’s diligence, the upcoming rescissions package from the White House is set to include measures to cut government funding for NPR – a mouthpiece for radical progressive ideas.
For decades, these institutions have dispersed left-wing narratives on the taxpayers’ dime. NPR’s reporters and editors purposely created and promoted news articles designed to damage President Trump during the 2016 and 2020 elections, including promoting the Russian collusion hoax.?NPR even went as far as to refuse to cover the Hunter Biden laptop story due to fears it could help President Trump’s 2020 reelection bid. As recently as 2023, NPR put out an article denying the clear athletic advantage biological males have over girls in sports, attacking young women who have spoken out about this issue.
It’s time to separate partisan propaganda from the taxpayers’ wallets.
President Trump is Restoring Justice
The Biden administration’s Department of Justice unfairly targeted Christian organizations, pro-life grandmothers, and even the current President, all while overlooking violent acts by radical groups like Antifa as well as alleged misconduct by figures such as Hunter Biden and Dr. Anthony Fauci.
That era of politicized justice has ended. President Trump is restoring integrity to the Department of Justice.
Following recent unprovoked attacks on peaceful Christian gatherings in Seattle, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has pledged to prosecute groups engaging in targeted violence against religious communities.
Similarly, the FBI is reopening investigations into high-profile cases previously ignored under the Biden administration, including the 2023 discovery of cocaine in the White House and the leak of the Dobbs Supreme Court opinion, which incited threats against conservative justices.
President Trump and Republicans are committed to upholding law and order across the nation.
Joining Bo and Beth Weekly
Are you interested in hearing regular updates about what I am working on for you? Tune in every Friday at 7:20 am on WBT Charlotte News Talk as I join Bo Thompson and Beth Troutman to discuss the latest from Washington and what I am doing to serve the people of North Carolina’s Eighth District! You can listen live on their website at this link here or tune in on 99.3 FM.
Here are some other news stories about what I’ve been up to lately:
I was absolutely blown away by my tour of Conn-Selmer’s Ludwig plant. Crafting a wide range of musical instruments for the students of North Carolina’s Eighth District, they’re truly “making some noise” and inspiring creativity in our community.
During my visit to the DaVita Kidney Care Facility in Monroe, I was impressed by their commitment to providing top-notch care for their patients. Thank you for your outstanding work in serving the healthcare needs of North Carolinians—keep it up!
Serving YOU!
My team is currently working to resolve cases for nearly 150 people across our district. If you or someone you know is unable to get answers from the federal government, please do not hesitate to call my district office. Whether you need help with the IRS, VA, Social Security, or even getting a passport for an upcoming trip, we have a team of constituent service representatives ready to serve you. You can call us at 704-218-5300 or visit my website at https://markharris.house.gov/services/help-federal-agency.
If you want to keep up with what I am doing every day on your behalf, you can follow all of my social media links down below!
If your friends, relatives, or neighbors would also like to sign up for these weekly updates, they can do so by sending my office a quick email or simply by signing up here. For more up-to-the-minute updates, you can follow my press team on Facebook and Twitter.
Sincerely,
Mark Harris Proudly Serving North Carolina’s Eighth Congressional District
What I want to say
What I want to say, I cannot put in my blog.
Suffice it to say that I live in one of the most-gerrymandered districts in a completely gerrymandered state, and I am not represented in Congress by Mark Harris, Ted Budd, or Thom Tillis because they only represent the man who lives in the White House. Rev. Harris has obviously never watched PBS.
Mid-term election for Harris and end-of-six-year-term election for Tillis on November 3, 2026. That day can’t come soon enough!
It could be worse
At least I don’t live in Marjorie Taylor Green’s district in Georgia. Regarding that “big, beautiful bill” she voted for last week, Green posted on X: “Full transparency, I did not know about this section on pages 278-279 of the OBBB that strips states of the right to make laws or regulate AI for 10 years. I am adamantly OPPOSED to this and it is a violation of state rights and I would have voted NO if I had known this was in….”
On the other hand, Mark Harris probably still doesn’t know it.
Until my next blog post
I hope you have a good book to read, and I apologize for ruining your day by inflicting Mark Harris’ newsletter on you.
Make sure your voter registration is in proper order and intact well before November 3, 2026.
Remember those of us who have taxation without representation, just like we did 250 years ago. That time it resulted in a revolution.
Remember the people of Ukraine and western North Carolina.
Janet's Writing Blog 