12 JUNE 1, 2017 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM EDITORIAL Party infi ghting harms our democracy Two Queens state senators who THE HOT TOPIC STORY: Anthony Bourdain eats his way through Queens in latest episode of ‘Parts Unknown’ SUMMARY: This is a complete rundown of every restaurant that Anthony Bourdain visited during the episode of ‘Parts Unknown’ that highlighted eateries in Queens. REACH: 46,465 people (as of 5/30/17) COMMENTS: ESTABLISHED 1908 Co-Publishers VICTORIA SCHNEPS-YUNIS JOSHUA SCHNEPS Editor-in-Chief ROBERT POZARYCKI Classifi ed Manager DEBORAH CUSICK Assistant Classifi ed Manager MARLENE RUIZ Reporter ANTHONY GIUDICE © 2017 SCHNEPS NY MEDIA, LLC. General Publication Offi ce: 38-15 Bell Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361 TELEPHONE: 1-718-821-7500/7501/7502/7503 FAX: 1-718-224-5441 E-MAIL: [email protected] WEB SITE: www.qns.com ON TWITTER @ridgewoodtimes PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY FOR 108 YEARS 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.TIMES NEWSWEEKLY Is Listed With The Standard Rate & Data And Is A Member Of The New York Press Association SNAPS A BEAUTIFUL DAY AT THE BALLPARK IN FLUSHING PHOTO BY ROBERT POZARYCKI Send us your photos of Queens and you could see them online or in our paper! Submit them to us tag @queenscourier on Instagram, Facebook page, tweeting @QNS or by emailing [email protected] (subject: Queens Snaps). happen to be Democrats fi nd themselves being protested by their own constituents over their affi liation with a breakaway group of Democrats that’s been working with Senate Republicans over the last several years. For many Queens Democrats, the Independent Democratic Conference’s (IDC) working relationship with Republicans in the State Senate is bizarre — and, more importantly, depriving them of the chance to fully pursue and enact a progressive agenda in state government. Democrats, aft er all, control the Assembly and the governor’s offi ce. There are 32 Democrats in the State Senate, enough to constitute a majority of the 63-member body, but the eight IDC members have deprived the party of full control of the chamber. At a time when the nation is politically polarized like never before, some Democrats and liberals see the IDC as an obstacle that prevents the Empire State from eff ectively counteracting any odious policies and laws that Republicans in Washington may enact. Last week, the Working Families Party took that message directly to State Senators Jose Peralta and Tony Avella, both of whom are also IDC members. They demanded that they return to the traditional Democratic caucus and advance progressive legislation forwarded — or else face a potential challenge to their incumbencies next year. The IDC’s leader, State Senator Jeff Klein of the Bronx, has said the IDC would vote for bills proposed by traditional Democrats in the Senate as long as they call for a vote on the fl oor. Senate Democrats should take up the IDC on its challenge and do so before the session ends later this month. Should Republicans work to block a bill supported by Democrats, the IDC should then work with their fellow Democrats to pass that bill — and if they refuse, they should be prepared to face the wrath of voters in 2018. By the same token, the IDC shouldn’t be forced to dissolve. State lawmakers are sent to Albany to represent the people — all of the people — in their districts, regardless of party affi liation. But this is not a direct democracy; these lawmakers are entrusted to make their own decisions not only on what the people want, but also on what they believe the people need. Blind allegiance to a party’s doctrine is a recipe for political disaster. Many of those who decry the IDC are also upset that a great number of Republicans in Congress are turning a deaf ear to calls for an independent investigation into the scandals surrounding the Trump administration. Lawmakers on every level, regardless of their party, should be able to act with at least some fl exibility and independence.
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