GOP was just as drunk with power

Jack McCabe begins his Jan. 12, letter by making the absurd analogy that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is like Josef Stalin and Adolf Hitler by "eliminating the Republicans Party's influence in the House."

Apparently Mr. McCabe has forgotten the heavy-handed treatment of Democrats by Newt Gingrich and the Republicans following the takeover of the House in 1994. Although Republicans attacked Democrat practices when they controlled the House, it took only a few years for the Republicans to savor the taste of power and reverse ethics reform and rules aimed at budget discipline.

In addition to breaking the promises made in the "Contract With America," Republicans instituted procedures that prevented Democrat amendments from even coming to the floor. A number of Republicans also reneged on term-limit pledges.

Republicans also eased ethics rules imposed in l995 and reversed a 1995 rule that discouraged attendance at charitable events at resorts. Republicans also reinstated a rule that allows the House to raise the limit on the public debt without holding a separate vote.

This change is understandable considering the fact that the national debt has exploded under Republican control of the Congress and White House.

This rebuttal letter is not a defense of the Democrats, because both parties are guilty of wasting tax dollars and deficit spending; and for Mr. McCabe to suggest otherwise is disingenuous.

Victor Darst

West Dundee