To the editor:

Congressman Trey Radel was devious during his campaign: He bought up Web addresses named for his rivals as a means to block their communications. The ends justify the means with him, a Machiavellian approach.

His hypocrisy is unbelievable: Voting to test food stamp recipients for drug abuse while he himself is abusing drugs. We the people are paying his $174,000 salary a year to work for Southwest Florida, not to party on drugs in Washington.

Most people who abuse the trust of their employers would be out the door and have to pay COBRA to get their rehab covered; Radel also gets his rehab on our dime.

If he had any character, he would not have run to begin with. Nor should he stay in office any longer. Recovery first and foremost – and I wish him success with that – and then proceed with your political plans.

Radel cannot apologize his way out of this. Sincere humility is not his forte. Speaker John Boehner once again fails to lead by not asking for his resignation.

Joan Patterson

Lehigh Acres