A mother has criticised an 82-year-old congresswoman, branding her response to her 10-year-old son’s letter about electric cars as “out of touch”.
Christian Mango was given a class assignment to write a persuasive essay on any topic he wanted, then mail it to someone he felt could make a difference — such as an elected representative.
The fourth-grader from North Carolina decided to focus on electric vehicles, arguing that people who choose the more environmentally friendly option should receive a tax rebate.
He told FOX8: “We should have a $5,000 tax rebate. For electric cars, because they’re better than normal cars. They’re better for the environment. They pay less. And there’s no gas.”
Christian posted his letter in April using a Canterbury School envelope, with “4th grade” included on the return address. A few weeks later, a reply arrived from Congresswoman Virginia Foxx.
In her response — where she clearly rejected Christian’s view — the Republican told him to read six articles that she said were ‘about the disastrous record of policies enacted to address “climate change”‘.
Her letter continued: “Ask your teacher to explain propaganda to you. I will never be able to know.
“My guess is that your teacher will not be able to give you a good educational experience by helping you. Because they are too interested in indoctrinating you. How sad.”
Foxx also cautioned that Christian and his classmates would be left dealing with the national debt crisis by the time they are in their 20s, according to the New York Post.
Christian’s mother, Emily Mango, later posted online condemning the tone of the congresswoman’s letter and calling for an apology.
She wrote: “Rep Virginia Foxx, who is 82 years old, responded to a 10 year old in a disrespectful, hostile, and unkind tone. She told my 10 year old that he and his classmates are responsible for paying the national debt.”
Emily’s post continued: “She attacked his teachers, his school, his education, and referenced propaganda, indoctrination, and other concepts that a 10 year old has not been exposed to. This is a totally inappropriate response to one of her youngest constituents. Clearly she is out of touch. I’m embarrassed that she represents NC.”
In other comments, Emily said she found Foxx’s letter ‘demoralizing and reprehensible’.
Christian also said he felt the response was unfair. He told Fox 8: “I think that was wrong… because the school didn’t do anything.”