16 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • OCTOBER 2017 16 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • SEPTEMBER 2017 16 LONGISLANDPRESS.CO M • SEPTEMBER 201-----------TUTU111
POINT OF VIEW
Democracy on wry, please hold the mayo
Every civilization
has
iconic places
where leaders
converge and
history turns.
Yalta, where
FDR, Churchill
and Stalin met.
Reykjavik,
where Reagan
and Gorbachev
agreed to major arms control. Appomattox,
where Grant and Lee ended
the Civil War.
And Long Island diners.
In nearly 25 years of elected life, every
consequential political meeting
I’ve ever had was in a local diner.
Meetings to discuss politics, to
delve into issues, to avoid conflict.
In 2000, I was wrestling with a
decision to run for Congress. I was
a Huntington Town Councilman at
the time and it looked like a crowded
congressional primary field. One
of my potential opponents called
me for a “secret meeting” at a local
diner. We arrived separately on a
cold, drizzly day. The diner was
packed with constituents, business
leaders, and waiters and waitresses
adroitly juggling massive platters of
deluxe burgers, towering sandwiches
and vats of Cobb salads.
Not a good place for a secret summit.
He suggested that we return to the
parking lot, and meet in my car.
We sat for an hour. The combination
of our political hot air and
the chill outside produced foggy
windows and some curious stares.
It was, well, uncomfortable.
But we resolved our differences and
I went on to run. I celebrated by
walking into the diner and ordering
a turkey club sandwich. To go.
After Republican Congressman
Lee Zeldin’s election to Congress,
he suggested that Democrats
weren’t sufficiently supportive of
Israel. Proud of my own outspoken
leadership and perfect record on
US-Israel relations, I criticized his
comments.
We decided to resolve our spat at
what was called the Manichevitz
Summit – at a diner. In an act of supreme
bipartisanship, we split the bill.
When my campaign needed television
commercials, I insisted that we
shoot them in diners. In a district
as diverse as Whitestone and
Smithtown, the one thing everybody
could recognize was a diner.
More important, diners were the
one place in my sprawling district
that I’d hear what my constituents
really thought.
There’s something about a deluxe
hamburger platter that fuels people’s
willingness to render opinions.
I didn’t need a poll to tell me voters’
moods. Just a table at any diner.
In most cases, I’d walk into a diner
to friendly waves. Often, someone
would approach my table and
say: “Mr. Israel, I hate to interrupt
your meal, but...” Then they’d help
themselves to a seat, and in one
case, my fries.
Long Island diners are citadels of
free speech, priceless democracy
and inexpensive meals. They are
places where income inequality
is leveled. You can be a CEO or
union plumber, but you know the
best value is in that shiny encyclopedic
menu that can sprain your
wrist when lifted.
You may be reading this at a diner.
If you are, do me a favor. Give your
waiter or waitress a nice tip. They’re
the hardest workers I know. And
put up with far more than this
Congressman did.
Israel сhairs The Global Institute
and is a Distinguished Writer In
Residence at LIU. His second novel,
Big Guns, will be released in April
and can be pre-ordered at
www.repsteveisrael.com.
STEVE ISRAEL
Long Island's Preeminent Matrimonial & Family Attorneys
Jay Davis, Esq. is one of Long Island’s
preeminent matrimonial and family law
attorneys dedicated to providing
exemplary legal representation while
understanding the difficulties and
challenges clients may face during a
variety of legal processes. The Law Office of
Jay Davis, PLLC strives to exceed clients’
expectations and guide them with care,
reliability, compassion and patience,
providing the highest standards of effective
representation. The firmhandles all areas of
divorce and family law matters, along with real estate transactions,
adoptions, prenuptial agreements and other legal services. Located
conveniently in Garden City, Long Island, Jay Davis, Esq. has been
representing clients throughout the New York Metropolitan area for over
43 years and is a well-respected and active member within the legal
community. Please contact us for a free consultation. We will discuss
your needs with complete confidentiality to determine how we can
assist you. Mr. Davis has also been selected as one of the ten best
lawyers by the American Institute of Family
Law Attorneys in N.Y.S. Mr. Davis was named
one of New York’s top Family Law Attorneys
by Pulse Magazine and has written
numerous articles.
Robert M. Lubow, CLTC
Robert M Lubow, CLTC is a Senior Health Insurance
Coordinator and Licensed Independent Agent
Specializing in helping to educate you to enroll in
the right Medicare plan for your needs
Everything you want to know about
Medicare and Long Term Care:
FREE ConsuLTaTion
Call now! 917-796-5714
Q & a
Q: When can I enroll in a Medicare Plan?
A: 3 months before you turn 65 you should receive your Medicare card
in the mail. Your plan will start the first day of the month you turn 65.
Q: Do I need to enroll in an additional plan to supplement my Medicare?
A: Yes, Original Medicare only covers 80% of your health care cost
and does not include prescription drug coverage.
“Robert Lubow is not employed by Medicare or any government agency”.
