House Republicans are suing President Obama for doing his job

The article “House GOP Votes to Sue Obama” from the July 31 front page might be funny if it were not so serious and misdirected. If Republican legislators want to sue for “abuse of power” or a job not well done, they ought to sue their own congressional leaders.

President Barack Obama’s executive leadership provides a measure of stability in an otherwise dysfunctional legislative climate. His commitment to work on issues that affect the common good — immigration reform, jobs, minimum wage, diplomatic efforts to keep peace, to name a few — is one reliable element in government at the moment. His consistent efforts to work collaboratively with Congress meet constant, sometimes irrational, rebuff.

I do not fully understand what animates the polarizing, backbiting rhetoric of House Speaker John Boehner, but his words and actions regarding this lawsuit are not worthy of a person committed to public service. Given the critical state of the world at present, we really need to elect a Congress that will work with the executive branch come November.

Sister Patricia McCann
Oakland