Editor:

It is most disheartening to learn that our Western Slope congressman, Scott Tipton, has joined other tea party Republicans in voting against federal disaster relief for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Maybe his vote is just a sign of very partisan times, but it seems that congressmen of both political parties should be uniting together in helping the victims of natural disasters. As New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has noted, disaster relief has never be a partisan or parochial matter in the past. Our elected officials have always pulled together for the greater good.

What will happen in the future if, heaven forbid, Colorado is hit by even larger wildfires than we have already seen, or by flash floods, earthquakes, prolonged drought or other calamities? Will U.S. Rep. Tipton seek assistance to help Coloradans rebuild their lives and dreams, or will he argue that it’s too expensive, or that we need to cut other federal programs to pay for the disaster relief?

His vote lacked compassion and foresight.

Blanca O’Leary
Chair, Pitkin County Democrats