(Letter to the Editor - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

I believe there are some strong, competent people — both Republicans and Democrats — who are serving in elected office right now.

As such, I’m disappointed I have not seen them stand up and publicly protest recent actions they definitely know are wrong and dangerous.

1. Elon Musk’s recent access to the entire Treasury payment system — just because he wants it and demands it– is something I can’t believe Republicans are tolerating without him going through proper channels of supposed safeguards. This is particularly obscene because he is not an elected official of any kind and the range of his financial empire puts him in a huge conflict of interest with any number of things he may learn.

2. Members of Congress must publicly protest the blanket firing of Inspectors General and insist on being involved in choices for immediate replacements. If Congress doesn’t soon respond to this challenge to democracy in some effective way, the cronyism and deliberate cover-ups of abuse of power will be the House and Senate legacy.

3. Gen. Mark Milley does not deserve to be demoted or have his protection detail suspended because he made a decision he fervently believed put the welfare of our country above the safety of being a political sycophant. I believe he has courage and honor forged in a lifetime of military service. We should not allow him to be offered as a revenge sacrifice.

These things are way beyond “debatable” or “annoying.” They’re alarming, and most of us know it. It’s time to say that out loud.

I hope West Virginia and Ohio members of the U.S. House and Senate, along with a number of their colleagues, will have the guts to speak out on these things.

And not after mid-term elections, when campaign contributions have been safely received and spent. But now. While there’s still time.

Nancy Taylor

Parkersburg