Reader believes editorial has ‘Jumped the shark’

To the Editor:

I am 81 years old, and the sole care giver to my wife who has Alzheimers. We will soon be “celebrating” 60 years of marriage. I took on the task of care giver reluctantly knowing that I have little experience and a slew of shortcomings, acknowledging that affordable, trustworthy, reliable care giving in our neck of the woods is rare. However I intend to keep the vow that I made on our wedding day “for better or worse, in sickness and in health”.

Anyway, together my wife and I watch a lot of the political back and forth on TV and I have to do a lot of explaining, but I must say my wife, at times, does comment and makes more sense than the current GOP presidential candidate. I started voting when I turned 21, and over the years have tried to vote for the candidate who exhibited integrity, empathy, intelligence and all around good character. Of course, working for the common good and having creditable policies also entered the picture. Accordingly through the years I have voted both parties. But, lately I have been depressed by the divisive, whining, illogical, mean tone of the current GOP party and their presidential candidate, who does not lay out any plans or specific actions as to how he will accomplish what he is promising. All I know is that from his past history I would not buy a used car from him, allow a female family member alone in a room with him or believe any of his promises. I just wish he would stop his constant griping and disparaging of America. I am not qualified to endorse either presidential candidate, but it’s beyond my comprehension how a person would vote for a candidate that exhibits such a clear lack of character. How one could vote against their self-interest, disregard the right and wrong they were taught by their parents or twist the doctrines of their religion.

As for some of our legislators before I vote I look to see if they have been effectual or were they just “running in place.” Case in point Rep. Tom Tiffany. I have checked the Congressional Record to see how productive he has been in his tenure as a Representative. Seems the Tiffany Telegram takes up too much of his time. Otherwise his record in office reflects very little of consequence. Don’t believe me, check the “govtrack.us” report card for 2020-2022. The Tom Tiffany 2020/2022 Report Card compendium comparison to the Wisconsin delegation shows he introduced the fewest bills, got bicameral support on the fewest bills, got bipartisan cosponsors on the fewest bills, cosponsored the fewest bills, got the fewest cosponsors on Wisconsin Delegation bills, got influential cosponsors the least often compared to Wisconsin Delegation, was sixth most absent in votes compared to House Freshmen, joined bipartisan bills the 25th least often compared to House Republicans, introduced zero bills that became law, introduced zero bills in the 116th Congress that got past committee and finally, Tiffany held a leadership position on zero committees and zero subcommittees (note: 2022 reflects a similar inactivity on Tom Tiffany’s part coupled with a ranking of a bottom/follower compared to the Wisconsin Delegation).

Lastly, Mr. Moore, Our View opinion piece. I believe you have “jumped the shark” and forthwith will deal in cringe opinion. Vote early (but not often) is replete with what I generously tag as inaccuracies. What stands out is the Carter quote about absentee ballots. Political Fact has stated that Republicans who criticize voting by mail often cite a report from more than a decade ago co-written by former President Jimmy Carter that included a warning about absentee voting. While critics of voting by mail cite the passage in the 2005 report, they omit its full comments about absentee voting. They also gloss over the fact that, 16 years later, voting experts and officials know far more about the security of absentee voting and the steps taken to improve security. C’mon you are usually more circumspect. 

John Kocovsky

Hazelhurst