Congress shut down early because of Epstein scandal. Where is Andy Barr? | Opinion
Barr’s job
Just when we needed a good laugh, the Republicans supplied it, sputtering outrage over Democrats breaking a quorum in Texas. Where were they when ALL Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives (including U.S. Rep. Andy Barr) abandoned their posts in July?
At least the Texas Democrats left on high principle, to block Republicans from rigging the next election by carving up voter districts. Barr, on the other hand, fled Washington under House Speaker Mike Johnson’s, R-La, orders, all to avoid a vote on the sordid Epstein files.
Texas, welcome to our world: In Kentucky, we have been asking Barr to, in your words, “show up” and “do the job” since last January. Instead, Barr handed the House’s power of the purse to Elon Musk and DOGE. We asked him to use Congress’s tariff powers to protect Kentucky; instead, he stood by and allowed the president to impose tariffs illegally. We asked Barr to show up for his constituents; he cowered in hiding instead. He recently highlighted his inaccessibility again, choosing only to appear at Fancy Farm, far outside his district.
The Texas lawmakers may already be back on the job. But when will Andy Barr be?
Anne Chesnut, Lexington
Town Hall meetings
When we elect someone to represent us, we expect them to show up — not just in Washington, but here at home.
With Congress on recess this August, our Representative should be holding a real, in person town hall and not be afraid to face their constituents. Not a tele-townhall where questions are screened and scripted. Not a closed-door meeting with a select few. A town hall where every voter has a chance to be heard, ask questions, and get straight answers.
Lately, it feels like too many politicians would rather hide behind press releases and social media posts than face their constituents directly. Public service isn’t supposed to be easy — but accountable. That’s what town halls are for. There are real issues facing our community, like an explanation of the big, beautiful bill and its importance to our state, especially our schools and local hospitals, and so many others that deserve open and honest discussion.
We deserve to be part of that conversation — not shut out of it. I’m urging U.S. Rep. Andy Barr to step up and schedule a town hall this August. Show up. Listen. Answer questions.
That’s not too much to ask. That’s democracy.
Claire Sigountos, Lexington
Fancy Farm shenanigans
The Herald-Leader noted that Democrats were largely absent from the 2025 Fancy Farm Picnic. But one important Democratic candidate, Ned Pillersdorf who’s running for the 5th Congressional District seat now held by a Republican, was present at the Picnic and wasn’t allowed to speak.
The political chairperson of the event, which touts itself as non-partisan, declined to let Pillersdorf speak on the excuse that his Congressional race wasn’t until next year. However, three Republicans whose races also aren’t until next year were allowed to speak at the event.
Democrats were chided by Republicans for avoiding Fancy Farm this year, but readers need to know about the partisan nature of the ‘non-partisan’ event which may have discouraged some Democrats from attending.
Harwell F Smith, Nicholasville
Sportsball hypocrisy
I am reeling from the response the University of Kentucky issued regarding a potential increase in the county occupation tax to offset budget shortfalls in the public schools. UK is against raising the occupational tax to help fund public schools. This is the same UK that has raised tuition regularly to the point that the school is no longer affordable to the average high school graduate. If UK wants to pay the sportsball coach a fortune, they raise tuition and ticket prices. No big deal, education isn’t for everyone. That idea is so woke. Let them watch sportsball.
Daniel Isenstein, Lexington
Deadly policies
President Donald Trump has contributed to roughly as many American deaths as the 329,000 population of Lexington, Kentucky.
He was president during the first 10 months of COVID-19. His several months of delays in response and pursuing multiple false solutions are thought to have contributed to more than 100,000 of the over 1.2 million COVID deaths to date.
His tax policies favoring the one percent meant less anti-poverty and health care funding for the remaining 99 percent. Annually, it is estimated there are 183,000 poverty related deaths in the US.
His reversal of Obama anti-gun policies may contribute to a portion of the over 40,000 U.S. gun related deaths per year.
It is estimated more than 100,000 Americans died from air pollution causing heart attacks, strokes, and other illnesses. His administration has recently weakened dozens of EPA and other pollution regulations.
Since 2017, his anti-climate change policies may contribute to a tiny fraction of annual deaths from hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires, excess heat, skin cancer and health stressors.
If not fearing retaliation, faculty at the University of Kentucky could produce a better estimate.
Mark Bird, Las Vegas (formerly of Brandenburg, KY)
Support Social Security
Social Security is celebrating its 90th birthday on August 14th. As a retired 55-year member of the Carpenters Union, I know how important this program is to our community.
Unfortunately, Social Security is under attack. The current administration and Republican lawmakers are coming after our hard-earned benefits and have already done major damage to this essential program.
Social Security field offices have closed, the SSA workforce has been cut by 12 percent, and the new Social Security Administration Commissioner is talking about replacing experienced workers with artificial intelligence and online services. This all adds up to a back door cut in benefits. The goal is to make it harder for Americans to access the benefits they worked a lifetime to earn.
The reality is we can strengthen Social Security for decades into the future if the wealthiest Americans paid their fair share. Billionaires stop paying into Social Security in early January while most Americans pay all year round.
I’m calling on our Congresspersons to vote against any scheme that will cut Social Security benefits and to strengthen Social Security instead!
Steve Barger, Louisville
Trump’s ‘reality’
President Donald Trump is just like “professional wrestling.” Both it and he are fake and everyone knows it. His followers either suspend belief or, more likely, just don’t care. He lies about everything.
Former U.S. Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynahan, D-N.Y., famously said that “You are entitled to your own opinions, but not your own facts.” For Trump, facts don’t matter. To him, the only reality is what he says it is reality. So, if he wants to show a hurricane in Alabama, he draws it in with a Sharpie. When he sees too many Covid cases, he calls for an end to testing for Covid. When gas prices are over $3/gallon, he says they are $2/gallon. And on and on and on… so America’s POTUS is nothing but a prevaricating liar!!!!
Jim Porter, Danville
Authoritarian state
As I watched nightly national news, it was a shock to hear my voice saying, “I’m living in an authoritarian police state!”
It wasn’t the first time for such a thought. After President Donald Trump took over the California National Guard to quell protestors against ICE snatching migrants, I didn’t hear any news report describe his action as starting a “police state,” yet that was my immediate thought, especially when he also deployed Marines. The concentration camps now being built with taxpayer monies stink (literally) to high heaven.
The sickening shock is that it’s the ne’er-do-well, narcissistic, revengeful Trump that the entire Republican Party is backing as a dictator. Project 25 architects took over planning for four years until Trump was elected again, trading the GOP for raw power.
Trump can only be taken out of office, in my opinion, by un-electing all elected Republicans, each and every one of them, including in state legislatures.
Encourage, pick and support candidates who are small “d” democratic candidates so that we finally can acknowledge what our democracy already is, and has been: diverse, smart, kind multiracial, multiethnic human beings.
Ramona Rush, Lexington
Edited by Liz Carey