Letters: Congressmen helped spread ‘Big Lie’; Consequences needed for those subverting democracy

Congressmen helped spread the ‘Big Lie’

Two of Pennsylvania’s prominent congressmen have recently been exposed, through an analysis of their social media history, of promoting the “Stop the Steal” movement to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Fred Keller and GT Thompson both promoted a coup by seeking to stop approval of the electoral vote on January 6.

The 1,000-page analysis published by California Representative Zoe Lofgren is eye-opening and should cause every citizen of the 12th and 15th congressional districts to question our congressmen’s commitment to democracy and fair elections.

Interestingly, Thompson seems to have gotten cold feet after following initial marching orders. He posted “Big Lie” messages on Nov. 6 and 7, and not afterward. Keller proved himself a greater “patriot” and posted regularly from November 5 through January 7, ending with a message that he was proud of his vote to disallow confirmation of our fairly and duly elected next president of the U.S.

Central Pennsylvanians should be especially concerned about how they are represented, not only in Congress, but also in our state House, since Senator Corman and Representative Benninghoff, both leaders of their party, moved in lockstep with similar efforts to undermine our election.

Consequences needed for those subverting democracy

“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities,” Voltaire. Our democracy is in peril. Without consequences Trump’s cult of personality is facilitating states that are controlled by Republicans to destroy democracy by making it easy to revoke electors voted by the voters in any giving state, and by various methods to suppress the vote. With no accountability they are preceding to push that process farther in many states.

These legislators are aware that they are using a lie to further their interests in gaining power in a more permanent manner.

Legislation on the national level is being held up by all of the Republican Senators and by Manchin and Sinema who profess to be Democrats but have been corrupted by big money and greed. They have delayed and made excuses for most of this year. All of these people need to be primaried as soon as possible.

All those who have or are subverting democracy need to have serious consequences including jail time. This especially include all the major players, including Trump. We need some major changes to strengthen our democracy should it continue in the next few years.

The cult fails as yet to realize what they are facilitating will destroy much of what they claim to value, liberty and justice for all, which has never been fully achieved but under autocratic rule is will be much much worse.

Tired of Oz

I don’t know about anyone else, but I am getting tired of the same TV spot running over and over again from Dr. Oz announcing a run for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania. I’d have ideas for him on how he could follow up with new ads to really solidify his appeal to us voters. He could, for instance, tell us how much he loves our state and how great it is to visit his in-laws in Pennsylvania and use their address for his campaign. He could also say how hard it is, after visiting, to return to his home and career in New Jersey. He could promise to come and visit more often if elected.

Among my other suggestions would be how he could tell us more about what a great doctor he is and more about how he has “taken on the medical establishment” when they challenge his remedies and medical advice. “I’m condemned,” he could say, “just because there are no medical studies to back up most of my claims.” He could tell us how unfair it is that other doctors and even government officials use the word “quack” when discussing his advice.

I suppose my last suggestion to him would be to tell voters that “no ‘fact check’ is available on me, so don’t bother looking, OK?”

It is startling that his party is propping this individual up before us as a viable candidate for U.S. Senate.