The GOP has lost credibility on major issues

Threetimes now the Republican Party has tried and failed to pass its version of a health care bill:

1. The latest version was so bad that every major health organization in the nation and all 50 state Medicaid directors called it an unmitigated disaster.

2. It was written in such secrecy that large numbers of GOP members didn’t know what was in it.

3. It had no Congressional Budget Office score.

4. Its proponents tried to push it forward with a long list of flat-out lies and twisted “facts.”

5. They held one abbreviated “hearing” with no real testimony.

6. Polls showed it had no substantive support from the voters.

And despite all that, nearly every member of the GOP was ready to vote for it. When asked why, their response was, “Because our major donors demanded it.” In other words, virtually every member of today’s Republican Party was ready to pass a disastrous bill not because it was good for Americans, but because they were ordered to do so by their major donors.

Has it ever been clearer just who this party represents and how far it is willing to go to serve those masters and not constituents?

Next up, taxes. Don’t expect anything different, even as Republicans tell you it is tax “reform” and will benefit you. It won’t, and you should not trust a thing they tell you, because they have no credibility. GOP, shame on you! DOUG WEBSTER

Monroeville

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It will be a heartening day in the U.S. when we show the same passion and respect for people as we do a song, even if it is our national anthem. The violence we bring on people of color and women is dreadful.

One in three black men can expect prison in his lifetime. Unemployment is double for blacks. One in three women is a victim of a rape or physical assault. In the time it takes the national anthem to be sung, there will be one hate crime, 10 women assaulted and one woman raped. If one in three white men were imprisoned or a victim of assault, we all know somehow that “stuff” would stop!

Donald Trump has said about women, “And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything … Grab ’em by the [expletive]. You can do anything.” He said of athletes choosing to kneel during the national anthem, “Get that [expletive] off the field.” He not only disparages the athletes, he demeans theirmothers in the process.

We should all be kneeling, and praying, so that somehow our actions will begin reflecting more our stated values and beliefs. We can do so much better. SCOTT FABEAN

Mt. Lebanon

I think Steelers coach Mike Tomlin should be fired for not having his players on the field standing in respect for the American flag at the Chicago Bears game on Sunday. Out of respect for all those men who have died to give Mr. Tomlin an opportunity to coach in the NFL, I think the team should have honored our flag. KENNY RHODES

Saxonburg

By all means, let’s condemn athletes for taking a knee or staying in their locker rooms to bring attention to a cause, because all of us at home get off our couches and stand with our hands on our hearts every time we hear the national anthem played before a game.

ERIC DUMARS North Point Breeze