The city of Altoona has taken a horrible turn in its recent decision to nominate John McGinnis as its new state representative. It has completed the solidification of radical politics in the area.
It all started in May 2006 when John Eichelberger defeated Robert Jubelirer to be the Republican nominee for state Senate. In this decision, 30th District elected a man who has sought to curb the rights of homosexuals in the state and to destroy the public education system that is the only hope for the city and the state to be fruitful.
The next decision made came in 2011 with the decision to put Sharon Bream and Cheryl Rupp on the Altoona Area school board. They have so far taken no substantial actions that would benefit the students of the area, not understood the intricacies and business of a school board and simply use their post as a speaking post for tea party politics. In deciding to oust board President Jim Walstrom, the citizens of this city took another step in curtailing education in the area.
As I saw the sensible politicians that Altoona had elected slowly be overcome by the wave of extreme politics, I always thought that Rick Geist, a champion of the people of the city he has served for 34 years, would be able to withstand this flood.
After all, Geist has increased funding to the state police, helped children through the Children's Health Insurance Program and has led the transportation of the state, most recently through public-private partnerships.
Not only has Geist fought for us in Harrisburg, he has served us here at home, with a district office that aids all constituents with any concerns that they have. Geist is truly a fighter for the people of Altoona and never failed in this capacity.
When I learned that Geist did not win his re-election campaign, I was stunned. Words could not describe the wave of disbelief that overcame me. A man who never thought about himself, who always thought about the people of Altoona, was defeated by a man who said Dave Barger was his inspiration. McGinnis also believes in Austrian economics, which does not use either economic models or statistics.
To the residents of Altoona, you have now made the city a bastion of radical politics that will continue the city's trend toward a brain drain that will leave it unprofitable in the future. Altoona has made its choices; it must now live with them. You reap what you sow.
Michael Keramidas
Altoona
