In early September I sent a letter to this paper regarding my great-grandfather and my grandfather. Both men were illiterate but they voted. It was published under the banner "Could my ancestors have voted?"

Growing up in the '40s and '50s it was common to see illiterate people, especially in the coal mines in western Maryland. Two of my ancestors lost their lives in the mines.

So when Mitt Romney staged an event in Ohio with a backdrop of coal miners, it was like spitting in my face. The mine owner was a Romney supporter, and he closed the mine that day, docking the miners a day's pay. Their attendance at Mr. Romney's dog-and-pony show was mandatory.

But a group of those miners called a radio station in West Virginia and outed him. In Romney World it's assumed everything can be bought. But he's wrong. One thing that can't ever be bought is personal integrity. Mr. Romney will never see that because he has none himself.

There might have been a time in my life I at least had respect for the GOP. Today I have more respect for the Donner Party.

Will Ross

Bealeton