LETTERS

Let's not give Democrats a political stranglehold

Posted 10/3/18

To the Editor: Politics can be tough to be in actively involved in, especially as a public figure. Judge Brett Kavanaugh has been finding that out. The issue is bigger than Judge Kavanaugh. Politics can be ruthless, and often to most, what to believe is

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LETTERS

Let's not give Democrats a political stranglehold

Posted

To the Editor:

Politics can be tough to be in actively involved in, especially as a public figure. Judge Brett Kavanaugh has been finding that out.

The issue is bigger than Judge Kavanaugh. Politics can be ruthless, and often to most, what to believe is often more subjective than objective.

Both sides engage in posturing and do not see the "sins" of their own side, but only see the "sins" of their opposition. 

Whatever ultimately happens in the Kavanaugh appointment, it will leave a "bad taste" with many Americans. It needs to be a legitimate concern about candidate recruitment for offices, and why people do not seek them. A number of people avoid to be active in politics because have real concerns. If they have a business, their politics could impact it. There are also personal, family, work and time concerns why people do not get politically involved. Also most don't have an avid or even mild interest to be involved. You do need a "thick skin" often to be in politics.

In the remaining weeks of the 2018 election season, how a candidate conducts their campaign reflects on them as well as their party, state and community. Even internationally, it reflects on the United States of America. Those especially of an independent attitude will take that into account the qualities and views candidates will bring to the office they seek. The ability to actually govern and work with others is highly important.

Timing is also important in politics, and events close to an election can impact it. Undoubtedly, the Kavanaugh appointment will have some impact on the 2018 election. How much will be speculated before and after the election. In addition, party control of the U.S. Congress will decide greatly how 2019-21 goes in governing America on the national level.

Rhode Island-wise, I remind readers it was 80 years ago this year in 1938, the Republicans last won control of the governorship and both houses of the state legislature at the same time. From a practical sense, while I salute the Republican state legislative candidates, the GOP will not win control either house of the Rhode Island General Assembly. However, I ask them to seriously consider Mayor Allan Fung of Cranston for the governorship. The Republicans holding the governorship gives them a serious "place at the table" in decisions impacting Rhode Island. Otherwise

Rhode Island Democrats will have a "political stranglehold" on our state completely.

Scott Bill Hirst

Ashaway

Mr. Hirst, Hopkinton town moderator, is one of five candidates for five at-large openings on the Hopkinton Town Council. He chairs the Republicans in Hopkinton.

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  • JoeKernan1

    Mr. Hirst:

    You imply that both major parties are responsible. The Democrats didn't block Merrit Garland from assuming a seat on the Supreme Court. It was Mitch McConnell and the Republican Party that denied Barack Obama his right to choose an appointee to the highest court in the land, even though a year was left of his administration and he had no idea who would win the 2016 race. Obama should have appealed to the Court at the time. Even at a four-four split on the Court there was always a chance that a conservative justice would have noted the abuse of Advise and Consent and insist on at least a hearing for Garland. Remember that a Republican-dominated Court went over the heads of voters in 2000 and stopped the recount, in spite of the finding that Gore's votes were undercounted by over 40,000 because of voters who erred by both writing him in and indicating his name o=in the mechanical voting. There was no urgency to gettThereing the count, There was plenty of time before the inauguration to get it right, especially because the complications were unprecedented. Even the Court itself knew they were being high-handed and said they were not setting a precedent, which of course might have gone against Republicans in the future. Republicans started this dirty fight and the facts do not sustain the false equivalence you imply. Democrats have a right to object to justices who consistently favor Republican politics.

    Thursday, October 4, 2018 Report this