A chance to break with the past

On Tuesday, the voters of the 12th District face a unique opportunity. Mark Critz and Tim Burns are running to succeed the late Rep. John Murtha.

Mr. Critz, who had worked for several years on Mr. Murtha's staff, was a point man for obtaining many controversial earmarks.

The Murtha earmark process is now filled with infamous companies and lobbyists. Kuchera Industries, Coherent Systems and the PMA and KSA lobbying firms are among the names in the hall of shame. On the earmark process, Mark Critz recently told the Pennsylvania Cable Network that "I know the process ... I know a lot of the players."

Mr. Murtha's earmark process had become corrupted by handing out high-priced and wasteful contracts in return for millions in campaign contributions that would help him to perpetuate his power while the district suffered and young people fled. Mark Critz was a cog in that machine, and now he wants to control it.

I look now at the people in the district with a sense of both envy and fear. Envy in that they have a real chance to move into the future, but fear that they will not. My profound hope is that they make the brave decision to break from the past.

RON KOLB
Corpus Christi, Texas