Dear Editor,

“Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

This proverbial declaration provides that as a person’s or political party’s power becomes increasingly dominant their morality decreases.

It appears to me that the Belmont County Republicans hold on power is absolute.

Let’s check out the Republican Party’s absolute grip on power in Belmont County, Ohio. They hold or dominate the following elected seats and patronage that goes with those powerful seats:

∫ All three Belmont County Commissioners

∫ St. Clairsville Mayoral and Council. (Even Democrat Marc Thomas’s elected seat was given by the Republican majority to a GOP Committee person, Kristi Libscomb, instead of a Democrat replacement to finish the elected term.)

∫ Congressman and Ohio representatives.

∫ One United States Senator, Ohio Governor, Secretary of State.

∫ Almost all school boards’ and township members and appointed officials.

Are these powerful Republican officeholders doing a good, honest job? I wouldn’t know, there is no minority party to hold them accountable.

I am thankful for an independent press though. (At least I hope so.)

“Power Corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Bill Bryant

St. Clairsville