Regarding Reps. Mike Kelly and Guy Reschenthaler, the cancellation of Liz Cheney and their support for Sean Parnell (“Parnell is the leader Pa. needs in Senate”): Two weeks before Election Day, I stood in line at the Butler County courthouse because my mail ballot was delayed, and I did not want to be quarantined out of voting. I have supported conservative and progressive candidates and vote on qualifications, not allegiance.

For two months Messrs. Kelly, Reschenthaler and Parnell gave legitimacy to every allegation that undermined the election, while saying scant criticism about the dystopian hand-to-hand combat waged on behalf of the former president on Jan. 6. When pressed to offer a remedy, their numerous attempts to dispute the outcome had one common denominator: disenfranchisement of voters, like me, their constituent.

So at an impasse between elections, the car salesman and JAG attorney wage culture war to defend America against various enemies, perceived straw men and cancel culture (and throw support to Parnell and his thin civilian resume and war hero status).

Gentlemen, I never saw such loyalty when the standard-bearer was named Bush, or McCain, or Romney. Why now? And to fire an accomplished senior leader for criticism of a former reality show host and real estate developer with impulse control issues says more about your idol than it does about intellectual integrity or service.

It’s great to rail against real and perceived enemies, to say what you’re against; but sometimes it would be nice to know, in clear terms and no cliches, what exactly are you for?

Peter Sylves

Zelienople

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