Lockstep GOP

Regarding the March 24 letters praising U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire: Didn't letter writers Susan Becraft, Don Beynon and Lawrence Jacobs realize the irony of their letters?

One wrote that she "was under the impression that a member of Congress was allowed to use his conscience, good sense and the will of his constituents when casting a vote." Is she kidding? Yes, Democrats are allowed to do so, but I didn't see any Republicans voting against their party.

Another says, "We are a nation of individual thinkers." Unless, of course, you're a Republican -- then you think and act in lockstep.

The last salutes Mr. Altmire as "an American first, a representative second and a Democrat third," because he voted against the health-care bill. What would be the letter writer's attitude if Rep. Tim Murphy, for example, had voted for the bill? But I realize that would be impossible -- Tim Murphy is a Republican first, last and foremost, so there was no question how his vote would go.

 

MARY BETH WALLING
North Huntingdon