New respect for him

In response to your March 22 editorial "Vote of Weakness," you state Rep. Jason Altmire betrayed the Democrats and his district. I have come to expect the editorial staff to consistently embrace the Democratic Party line; they simply cannot help themselves. But please refrain from representing what is in the best interest of Pennsylvania's 4th Congressional District.

Most of the people in the 4th are self-sufficient types who care for themselves, their families and their neighbors without needing unjustified governmental fiat to achieve someone else's vision of social justice. Mr. Altmire recognized this and voted accordingly. Health care reform may, in fact, be necessary, but the bill passed by the House is nothing more than the most audacious governmental power grab in memory.

During the run up to the vote on this kerfuffle, I suggested to Mr. Altmire he was an American first, a representative second and a Democrat third. In the past, I have usually been on the opposite side of his positions, but in this case, I have a newfound respect.

This country is now running annual deficits in excess of $1 trillion and the Congress you so warmly support has found yet another entitlement paid for with new taxes and unwarranted cuts in Medicare ... typical liberal financial and fiscal inanity at its very best.

As for the future children for whom you are so concerned, a bankrupt country dancing at the end of strings pulled by our communist Chinese creditors is a much darker and chilling legacy by any standard one would choose to apply ... of that there is no reasonable debate.

 

LAWRENCE W. JACOBS
O'Hara