No matter our race or background, most of us care about the character of our lawmakers. We expect honest legislators who serve everyday working people and ensure that we have government employees committed to serving the public with fairness and competence. We don’t want public employees who are political hacks.
Yet, the MAGA Republican candidate, J.D. Vance, wants to replace thousands of non-partisan public servants, hired based on their competence and knowledge, with political appointees. He would return us to the “spoils” system and open the door for a president to be a dictator, rewarding his friends and punishing his enemies.
Our country got rid of the “spoils” system 150 years ago because incompetence, graft, corruption, and theft were rampant. We can be proud of this history of progress which decreased the undue influence of the wealthy and powerful.
In November, we can build on this proud history by voting for lawmakers committed to fairness and the freedoms guaranteed in our Constitution. U.S. Senate candidate Tim Ryan will fight against these extremist and authoritarian ideas. Everyday families and working people deserve the chance for a bright future.
Janet Chandler
Mount Vernon, Ohio
