Pakootas not strong enough

Regarding “Not representing us (Dec. 8)”: It is shameful that Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers would hold a photo opportunity at a war memorial. She should have done that in private, without any cameras around. The memorials are a place to pay respects, not play politics.

I, however, disagree with Charles Bowman on the solution. Joe Pakootas is not a strong candidate. He does not challenge her on any of her hypocrisies. The congresswoman said that she was for saving Medicare. Pakootas did not even bring up that she voted for the Rep. Paul Ryan budget, which would privatize Medicare. Instead, he went off-subject and talked about Social Security.

Our representative voted against health care for 9/11 first responders three times and voted to decrease funding for our firefighters by $1 billion right before the largest wildfires in state history. If this is how she treats the heroes who risk their lives to defend us, than how can we expect her to represent the rest of us?

Kevin Dukelow

Spokane