Some courageous Republicans in Congress speak truth to power

Editor:

As a Democrat with many Republican acquaintances/friends, I feel I have a few insights to share as well as a few opinions worthy of consideration. Let me say before “going off” that I am proud of having supported Joe Biden and not at all ashamed of knowing a few dozen thoughtful Republicans.

Last Thursday another of these pals told me he really appreciated Biden’s restoration of the environment to its proper place in the order of things. Six others have done things from displaying a Biden sign in his yard to confiding to me that they could not wait to be rid of the former President.

Maintaining that you won an election in a “landslide” in 2020 when you lost it by about 7 million popular votes after you had no problem accepting an electoral college, state-certified victory in 2016 is just a bit curious. After all, our former occupant of the White House lost that election by around 3 million votes. Sorry, sir, but you play the game by the rules that are in effect when it starts and accept the possibility that you may lose.

What about the present? I hate to break it to my fellow Democrats, but our legitimate President’s Covid-19 relief and stimulus package is—in my view—too generous.  Why should people making $100,000 a year receive relief? That reminds me of the previous President’s tax breaks for his wealthy cronies.

Please do not misunderstand. The disgraced ex-President did commit impeachment-worthy offenses. To me, he certainly screwed up far more than he got right, especially in foreign policy, and needs to accept the judgment of the electorate. There is no doubt he got a few things right.  But there are reasons why Mr. Putin wanted him elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020.

Whether impeachment for impeachment-worthy offenses predicated on the need for accountability and adherence to the law is advisable is another matter. Impeachment likely will give the man who may be the worst President in U.S. history more support from a base which will support him regardless (and one of Robert E. Lee’s top generals was one of my ancestors).

Thanks to those thoughtful Republicans, such as Mitt Romney and Liz Cheney, who are speaking truth to power. One can only imagine what John McCain, a true American hero, might be thinking right now.

Yours in utmost sincerity,

Gary F. Kent

Albion