My vote cannot be bought. Character, integrity and ethics are major issues for me in the District 3 election.
Since I cannot vote for Scottie Mayfield again, I suppose it is safe to conclude that I shall be voting with him this time around.
Charlotte Parton
Chattanooga
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I would like to respond to your article Ms. Parton. I respect that three things are important to you when casting a vote are character, integrity and ethics. This is how I was raised to vote, look at the character and integrity of a candidate and choose based on that who I vote for someone.
Based on those three requirements, I am surprised you are voting for Fleischmann. In the last couple weeks Fleischmann has produced two ads which spread lies and misrepresentation of his opponent Weston Wamp. He has taken a few sound bites (out of context) and used them to portray Wamp in a way that does not truly represent his statements or views. This is unethical and lacks the integrity needed for a change in D.C. It definitely does not represent the character, integrity and ethics that East Tennesseans were raised on.
Secondly, in 2011 Fleischmann was part of a lawsuit including him as a defendant in a character defamation case involving lying and spreading rumors stating she "paid her future congressional staff lavish bonuses." We now see Fleischmann once again spreading rumors about his opponent just to win and keep his job. How does that speak to "character, integrity and ethics?" His ads and campaign have spread lies regarding his opponents beliefs rather than defending his own record. Fleischmann and his campaign have spread hatred, lies, and divisiveness in our party. As an American, East Tennesseean, and a true Republican, it breaks my heart to see the hatred and divisiveness that has been portrayed in the Fleischmann campaign. "United we stand, divided we fall."
I guess what I'm getting at, Ms. Parton, is by your own requirements, how can you vote for someone who has run a campaign that is so fundamentally against the three things you stand for? If character, integrity, and ethics are truly major issues for you and the standard by which you vote, I guess it is safe to say you will not be voting with Scottie this time around.
Ethan White
Ooltewah