To the editor:

We are traveling in the Balkins and yesterday we had lunch with Josep in Shkoder, Albania. He proudly says, “America is our greatest ally, especially this morning.” Josep was referring to the big news that “our Parliament” passed the Ukrainian aid bill. I mentioned that our “Member of Parliament,” Elise Stefanik, voted against it. He was incredulous, as anyone in Putin’s path of destruction would feel. In Shkoder they know all about brutal dictatorships. Why would anyone vote against something to vitally important to freedom?

I said I didn’t know why and I emailed Ms. Stefanik’s office to find out. But I knew, as all Americans do, that she’s running for vice-president and must appease Trump to maintain her viability. But that’s not quite true either, is it? Her voters, some of whom reading this letter, are ultimately responsible. Most plan to vote for her — and Trump — again. They own this. She’s our “Member of Parliament” and her vote is our responsibility.

Tiny Albania doesn’t seem so small when you visit it, and their people, such as Josep and his family, are worth defending against authoritarianism. Even Speaker Johnson, “MAGA Mike” as he calls himself, realized that once Ukraine falls, the Balkans are next. In Shkoder it’s obvious: That the road to Putin’s victory runs straight through our congressional district.

Frank Pagano

Jay