To the editor:

In Jim Muchlinski’s Jan. 14 opinion piece in the Independent, he criticized the 20 Republican Representatives who opposed Kevin McCarthy’s nomination to become the new Speaker of the House. Mr. Muchlinski said, “For some reason they wanted to change things.”

I have a very different viewpoint.

The 20 Republicans who held up McCarthy’s confirmation are now being praised by most conservatives. The steadfast determination of these 20 Republican holdouts succeeded in assuring a much more conservative platform and direction for McCarthy and the Republicans in the House of Representatives. The “some reason” these 20 U.S. Representatives wanted to “change things” is why they were elected by their constituents.  

The policies of the left are destroying America. Those policies include but are not limited to the following: 

Intentionally opening our southern border to illegal immigrants, supporting Biden’s policies to destroy the fossil fuel industry, intentionally demonizing capitalism, and their continual attacking of American values, history, and institutions.  

Combined with our current historic levels of inflation, the policies of the left are destroying America and the American dream.

 The democratic process can often be contentious. Disagreement is not a bad thing, as it usually brings respect and understanding. I personally found the process of nominating McCarthy refreshing. The 4-days were a historical window to America’s past, when heated disagreements and occasional violence took place among members of Congress.   McCarthy’s elevation to the third most important position in American government was, in my opinion, Democracy at its finest.

John Coulter 

Tracy