Readers React: Pelosi’s State of the Union snub won’t reopen government — but grounding private jets might

To the editor: Power plays by politicians have their place and can be great theater, but this one by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) is not good enough. Disinviting President Trump from delivering his State of the Union address merely distracts him rather than forces his hand.

To really inconvenience those who could end this partial government shutdown, we need creative action by federal workers still on the job. One idea: Our federally employed air traffic controllers could shut down private jet takeoffs.

That will most definitely get the attention of the elites while also providing a public service. It may even force some of Trump’s pals to fly with the rest of us. That alone might motivate them to tell him to knock it off.

Steve Fine, North Hollywood

..

To the editor: Pelosi has stooped to the lowest levels of dirty politics. It is an absolute disgrace that she seeks to deprive the citizens of this nation the constitutional right to hear the president deliver the State of the Union address.

In the event she hasn’t noticed, security is an essential service of the government (compared to, say, park services) that is not shut down.

The president should deliver the address in the Senate chamber.

Stephany Yablow, North Hollywood

..

To the editor: The single greatest expense of Trump’s proposed border wall is obviously labor. And, this government shutdown is clearly ridiculous.

Why don’t Democrats give Trump half of his requested border wall money on the condition that the Republicans have their staunchest supporters volunteer to build the wall?

I’m neither a Democrat nor a Republican. I tend to look at issues just on their own merits. However, I would be happy to spend a week near the border, “wallunteering,” so our government can get back on its feet and thousands of people can go back to work.

It’s time to show the world we can all get along. It just takes a little American ingenuity.

Gareth Kantz, Moorpark

..

To the editor: The Constitution doesn’t specify how the president informs Congress about his views on the state of the union.

Rather, the relevant part of Article II states that the president “shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.”

Richard Dickinson, Glendale

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook