How two parties handle sexual-abuse allegations
The difference couldn’t be clearer.
When a male Democrat candidate was alleged to have committed acts of sexual abuse on a woman, the candidate lost his party’s and constituents’ support and ended his campaign for office.
When a male Republican candidate was found liable for the sexual abuse of a woman by a jury of his peers, his party and constituents simply ignored the verdict and elected him president of the United States of America, the highest office in the country.
It almost sounds like a joke. Unfortunately, it isn’t. It’s embarrassing.
Gary Hoover, Lakeland
‘Unified government’ wasn’t the intent of the founders
In the interview with Mike Johnson, speaker of the House of Representatives [Johnson reflects on balance of power, July 7], Johnson states: “And when the voters deliver that kind of mandate, and they deliver unified government to one party, there’s an expectation, I think, that they will work seamlessly to fix the problems.”
How to explain this total capitulation of the leader of the House of Representatives when he claims that the voters have delivered “unified government to one party?” The intent of this country’s founders was to have a system of checks and balances, ensuring that there was not a “unified government” under the dictatorial control of one person.
So, how to explain the obsequiousness of Johnson and our own member of Congress, Scott Franklin? The ancient Greeks had a term to explain the inability of some to see the facts for what they are. They called it Amathia, willful ignorance. What could cause Johnson and Franklin to be ignorant to the threat that Trump and they pose to the American form of government? To my way of thinking, Christian Nationalism. Both Johnson and Franklin are committed Christians. And to my mind, it is religion gone astray.
Richard Sutherland, Winter Haven
Tallahassee has a representative. Winter Haven doesn’t
For two years, Winter Haven has had no voice in the Florida House of Representatives. Rep. Jon Albert campaigned as someone who understood local government, yet once in Tallahassee, he sided with efforts that weakened home rule and chipped away at local control. That is a remarkable betrayal coming from a former mayor who should understand that decisions affecting Winter Haven are best made in Winter Haven – not by bureaucrats and special interests hundreds of miles away.
The results have been hard to miss. Winter Haven taxpayers have little to show for Albert’s time in office. In his two years, he failed to secure a single penny in the state budget for our city. He may represent District 48 on paper, but his actions suggest he is more interested in representing Tallahassee.
Fortunately, voters have a better choice in the August primary. Jerry Carter has a proven record of public service, private-sector experience, and deep roots in the community. Most importantly, he understands that elected officials work for their constituents – not political insiders. We deserve a representative who will fight for us, defend local control, and put our communities first. Jerry Carter is that candidate.
Chad Davis, Winter Haven
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This article originally appeared on The Ledger: How two parties handle sexual-abuse allegations (Voice of the people)
Reporting by Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
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By Lakeland Ledger | USA TODAY Network
