Letters: Silence is consent; Benninghoff fails at redistricting effort

Silence is consent

Despite Representative Kevin McCarthy’s lame disavowal, under the leadership of Trump bootlick Ronna McDaniel the Republican National Committee really did declare the January 6, 2021 seditious attack on our Capitol, our Constitution and our democracy by white nationalists/white supremacists and other despicable characters, to be “legitimate political discourse.” Coming from the RNC this is maybe even more frightening and disgusting than Trump calling it a “lovefest” and “a beautiful thing.”

It’s hard to believe that this nonsense comes from what rightfully and proudly once was called “the party of Lincoln.” And most members of the once “Grand Old Party” remain silent, as did most “good Germans” during the rise of the Nazi party.

While some unthinkingly or cluelessly liken mask mandates to the Holocaust, I’m not saying Republicans are the same as Nazis. But today’s silence on the part of so many is reminiscent of the silence of most Germans during the rise of Hitler’s Third Reich. To quote Thomas Moore, “He that holds his piece seems to give his consent.” So, speak out. Contact your state and federal representatives and representative wannabes. Tell them enough is enough, that we expect our elected representatives to defend decency, honesty, the rule of law and our democracy, not the big lies of an egomaniac ex-President. And tell them that with your vote, too.

Benninghoff fails at redistricting effort

How is it possible that someone can do a job for 25 years and still not get it right? That “someone” is Kerry Benninghoff.

As the Majority Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Benninghoff had the responsibility of leading the redistricting effort so that we would finally have fairer and un-gerrymandered State House and Senate districts.

A commission of two Democrats and two Republicans, including Benninghoff, was formed to do the job. The fact that they had to interview 30 people and couldn’t agree on a fifth panelist for the commission was an early tipoff that things wouldn’t go well. The final panelist was picked by our court system.

Then, after the commission produced and voted on a map, that by most accounts produced fairer districts, Benninghoff immediately challenged his own commission’s work.

What else would you expect from someone who constantly tells you how bad government is? With Benninghoff, it’s always the other party, the other elected officials, another part of the government, always someone else’s fault.

No, it’s Kerry Benninghoff’s fault we have gerrymandered districts that the Governor vetoes. Thanks to Kerry, here come the courts.

Like a Bob Dylan lyric — how many decades must a representative serve before he knows how to redistrict — this is an all too familiar show. Benninghoff only knew for 10 years we would need to redistrict the seats. Now the primary may be postponed due to his incompetence.

He still collects his salary and benefits? As a taxpayer I want my money back.

Thompson supports first responders

In response to Lassie MacDonald’s letter published on Feb. 17, “Pay attention to Thompson’s words,” she alleges that Congressman Thompson voted against a bill and then promoted a grant program it funded. While Ms. MacDonald is certainly entitled to her opinion, she omitted some important facts.

Congressman Thompson has supported grants to firefighters since he was first elected. A volunteer firefighter and EMT himself, he has consistently helped volunteer departments apply for grants to support equipment purchases, training, recruitment, retention and more.

In 2016, Congressman Thompson worked to ensure fire grants were fully funded, despite attempts by the Obama Administration to cut the program. In 2017, Congressman Thompson issued a survey to more than 200 volunteer fire departments across the Congressional District. This needs assessment came on the heels of multiple “Fire House Summits” he hosted to address the challenges facing volunteer departments.

The bill Ms. MacDonald references did provide a one-time supplement to the already existing fire grant program, about $10 million. This accounted for .00052% of a $1.5 trillion hyper-partisan spending spree, which Congressman Thompson could not in good faith support.

When next year’s fire grant applications open, Congressman Thompson will again share the news and encourage volunteer departments to pursue these opportunities, while lending technical assistance, and the full support of his office. He will not shy away from supporting those first responders who keep our community safe. These are more than words; Congressman Thompson walks the talk.

This story was originally published February 20, 2022 at 5:00 AM.