To the editor:

Last week, the GOP caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives voted to change a rule to allow members indicted of a felony to keep their leadership positions. This is seen by many as an attempt to shield House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, whose indictment for illegal activities, including fund raising, may come down soon. Several of his fund-raising associates have already been indicted. Furthermore, DeLay has been rebuked several times by the House Ethics Committee for his involvement in shady deals, including a money-for-votes scheme to change regulations that would have aided Westar Energy’s efforts to push $3 billion in debt off its balance sheets and, potentially, on to its customers.

So, could this rule change perpetrated by the supposed party of “values” be supported by any of our Kansas delegation? According to Rep. Jim Ryun’s office, he voted for the rule change. I also discovered that, according to the Federal Elections Commission, Tom DeLay’s PAC, Americans for a Republican Majority, has given $31,777 to Jim Ryun over the years. I wonder what DeLay is getting for his money?

The election of 2006 is a long way away, but I, for one, will remember how Ryun voted and will be watching carefully for other “values-driven” actions he takes in the next two years. I also call on my representative, Dennis Moore, to stand up and condemn this vote.

Nancy Cayton Myers,

Lawrence