Leaderless in Washington

Republican members of the House of Representatives are refusing to wear protective face masks in the House.  The group includes many of the biggest Trump toadies in Congress.   But, beyond Trump shouldn't the men who represent political leadership in this country act like leaders?  Don't leaders have a responsibility to model appropriate behavior or are they only responsible to model the selfish, ignorant behavior of Trump.

The Washington Post reports that Pelosi decided to tighten restrictions on mask wearing after a group of rebellious GOP lawmakers steadfastly refused to wear them, even as one of their colleagues got infected with COVID-19.

“One GOP congressman who declined to wear a mask at the Capitol has contracted the disease,” the Post reports. “On Monday, Rep. Tom Rice (R-SC) announced that he had tested positive for the coronavirus, after appearing with an uncovered face on the House floor two weeks earlier.”

Included among the group of rebel Republicans are Reps. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Louie Gohmert (R-TX), and Andy Biggs (R-AZ).

The Post notes that one GOP lawmaker has even framed his opposition to masks in biblical terms.

“It’s part of the dehumanization of the children of God,” Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) told CNN last month. “You’re participating in it by wearing a mask.”