Editor, Gazette-Journal:

On Feb. 19, Congressman Wittman sent an e-mail to his constituents in honor of Presidents Day. The Congressman mentioned George Washington and quoted James Monroe as he wrote:  “… we must never lose sight that in our representative democracy We, the governed, are the key to good government. If our government of, by, and for the People is to work effectively, we must each embrace the role we are to play in securing it by making our voices heard.”

My reply to the Congressman below is an effort to make my voice heard.

To the Honorable Rob Wittman:

When your recent e-mail to constituents mentioned our first president, I couldn’t help but wonder what George Washington might have said or written that would be applicable today.  I give you a few of Washington’s wise words in the hope you and your colleagues will take his advice:

“If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to...