BEN CARSON News & Opinion Keeping Conservatives Focused On The Big Picture Imagine a situation in which there is an earthquake that destroys a suspension bridge over a deep canyon. nation and the impending disaster that awaits us if we continue on a course of ever-expanding government control of our lives, fiscal irresponsibility, unwise energy policies and a laissez-faire attitude regarding our world leadership responsibilities. Conservatives and other thinking individuals must recognize that we are in dire straits. They must adopt a sense of urgency in order to prevent irreparable damage to the concept of a nation where people are free to pursue their dreams without interference—as long as they are not harming others. They should not be arguing among themselves over petty differences and refusing to support individuals who largely agree with them about the direction of the country but perhaps have some disagreements about issues that easily could be resolved after the disaster has been averted. It is troubling to see members of the tea party being attacked by establishment conservatives, and vice versa. If they get angry when their candidate loses in a primary race and refuse to support the winner, they are playing right into the hands of the progressives, from whom they could learn much. Currently, there are two major visions for America. Liberals envision an overarching central government that controls all of the resources and ensures “equitable” redistribution in a way that prevents anyone from suffering hardship, regardless of their lifestyle and life choices. The conservative vision emphasizes personal responsibility and a governmental role confined by the U.S. Constitution. This is the vision that was embraced by our founders. The liberal vision, however, seems to be rapidly gaining momentum, even though many of its proponents would argue that either the government is not really trying to take control, or authority is a necessary function in its role of determining qualifications for licenses, setting standards and establishing such things as age requirements for public school attendance. These big-government proponents also argue that Obamacare is no more intrusive on our freedoms than other forms of government regulation. This indicates a lack of understanding of the liberal nature of governmental control, which eventually results in authoritarian oversight of virtually every aspect of our lives. By encircling businesses, educational institutions and health care enterprises with massive regulatory shackles, the government eventually will be able to shut down virtually COPYRIGHT 2013 RIDGEWOOD TIMES PRINTING & PUBLISHING CO., INC. News From The Woodhaven Residents’ As I wrote last week, participatory budgeting is a process that lets residents vote on how they want public funds to be spent. Council Member Eric Ulrich, who represents a majority of Woodhaven’s population, opted to let his constituents in the neighborhood (along with those in Richmond Hill and the northern portion of Ozone Park) vote on how to spend $1 million for brick-and-mortar projects. Anyone who lives in Ulrich’s district and is 16 years or older was eligible to vote in participatory A passenger train is speeding toward the location, and those in charge realize there is a potential problem ahead but choose instead to argue about the ambient temperature in the passenger cars, the food service and whether they will reach their final destination on time. A few people are quite disturbed when they learn of the tragedy about to unfold if the train isn't halted, but they are labeled as “alarmists” who really are not sophisticated enough to understand the situation. Obviously, I am referring to our Block Association budgeting. Based on very conservative estimates, that comes to nearly 17,000 Woodhaven residents. Spread out over six days last week, we had volunteers staffing the office and keeping its doors open for a total of 28 hours so that people would have ample opportunity to vote. Of those approximately 17,000 eligible Woodhaven voters, how many stopped by the WRBA office to vote? About 100—and that includes several people from outside Ulrich’s portion of the neighborhood. TIMES, THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 • 4 Since 1908 Published Every Thursday By RIDGEWOOD TIMES PRINTING & PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC. General Publication Office: P.O. 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Classified Manager TIMES NEWSWEEKLY Is Listed With The Standard Rate & Data And Is A Member Of The New York Press Association Reaching The Queens Homes Of Ridgewood, Glendale, Liberty Park, Maspeth, Middle Village, So. Elmhurst, Woodside, Sunnyside, Astoria, Long Island City, Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Howard Beach, Richmond Hill, Rego Park, Forest Hills, Woodhaven, Elmhurst, And Kew Gardens. Reaching The Brooklyn Homes Of Ridgewood, Bushwick, Cypress Hills, East Williamsburg And Williamsburg. COMPOSITION RESPONSIBILITY: Accuracy in receiving ads over the telephone cannot be guaranteed. This newspaper is responsible for only one incorrect insertion and only for that portion of the ad in which the error appears. It is the responsibility of the advertiser to make sure copy does not contravene the Consumer Protection Law or any other requirement. by Alexander Blenkinsopp Last week, the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association (WRBA) helped the neighborhood get involved in participatory budgeting. -SEE WRBA ON PG. 62- -SEE CARSON ON PG. 62- EDITORIAL Before anybody starts talking for or against immigration in the U.S., they should look over some facts. About 700,000 people a year become naturalized citizens and another 1 million people become legal permanent residents or “green card” holders, who can then be eligible to become naturalized citizens if they live in the U.S. continuously for at least five years. Many others hold temporary work visas, given to a range of professionals from scientists and students to farm laborers and fashion models. Then there are the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. who want the same privileges naturalized citizens and legal permanent residents have, but they ignore the basic rules and regulations for entering this country. Those sympathetic to illegal immigrants have been pushing for “comprehensive” immigration reform policies, including amnesty for the illegal immigrants in the U.S. for years. Back in 1986, then-President Ronald Reagan granted amnesty to more than 2 million illegal immigrants with the condition that the border be made more secure and that employers would face strict penalties for hiring undocumented workers. Amnesty happened, but none of the other provisos did. Nearly three decades later, members of Congress and immigration advocates are making virtually the same promises Reagan and 1980s politicians did, proving once again that those who fail to learn the lessons of the past are condemned to repeat it. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama has embarked on a mission of deporting illegal immigrants who commit crimes on this side of the border. Hundreds of thousands have been sent back to their country of origin, and howls of displeasure are rising from the Hispanic and Asian communities over his strategy. Derided by immigration advocates as the “deporter-inchief,” Obama is being accused of tearing mothers away from their babies, fathers from their children and families torn apart. Supporters of illegal immigrants claim that minor crimes like driving without a license, or driving while under the influence, and re-entering the country after being deported are being used instead of major crimes like murder, robbery or rape. But in reality, President Obama is upholding the oath he took to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States” to the best of his ability. It’s refreshing that a president isn’t just talking the talk on immigration, but also walking the walk. The doors to America are not shut; for the life of this nation, newcomers have—and will continue to be—welcomed to our shores. Those who follow the rules and put up with the bureaucracy to enter this country are deserving of citizenship and all of its accompanying privileges. In the meantime, the federal government should continue to deport illegal immigrants who break the law—and spread the word far and wide to future immigrants that the only path to American citizenship is through abiding by the law of the land. A Problem Of Participation District 32 Voters Want $ For School & Road Work Participatory Budgeting Results Robert Pozarycki School upgrades and transportation improvements topped the list of projects approved by Woodhaven, Ozone Park and Richmond Hill residents in the area’s inaugural participatory budgeting vote last week. Residents in the three neighborhoods living within the confines of City Council Member Eric Ulrich’s 32nd District cast ballots last week for the five projects, estimated to cost just over $1 million in capital funds for the 2015 fiscal year.U lrich and the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association announced the results on Tuesday night, Apr. 8. Leading the way with 137 votes were a slate of school upgrades totalling $376,000. The planned improvements include a new fence around J.H.S. 210’s playground in Ozone Park; audio-visual upgrades for P.S. 64’s auditorium in Ozone Park; and various technological improvements at P.S. 273 in Richmond Hill and P.S. 60 in Ozone Park. The second most popular project with 112 votes was the installation of real time countdown clocks at four bus stops within Community Board 9’s confines. The project is expected to cost $80,000. Finishing in third place with 106 votes was the resurfacing of a twomile stretch of Woodhaven Boulevard, estimated to cost about $300,000. Repaving pathways in Forest Park was the fourth mostby -SEE RESULTS ON PG. 32-
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