32 The Courier SUN • october 31, 2013 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com editorial letters sun WWW.COURIERSUN.COM Victoria Schneps-Yunis Joshua A. Schneps Bob Brennan Tonia N. Cimino Amy Amato-Sanchez Nirmal Singh Graziella Zerilli Stephen Reina Ron Torina, Jennifer Decio, Cheryl Gallagher Melisa Chan, Liam La Guerre, Cristabelle Tumola Maggie Hayes, Angy Altamirano Cliff Kasden, Samantha Sohmer, Elizabeth Aloni Cristabelle Tumola Bill Krese Jan DiGeronimo Maria Romero Warren Susman Celeste Alamin Maria Valencia Daphne Fortunate Victoria Schneps-Yunis Joshua A. Schneps Publisher & E ditor Co-Publisher Associate Publisher Editor-In-Chief VP, Events, Web & Social Media Art Director Assistant to Publisher Assistant Art Director Artists Staff Reporters Contributing Reporters Web Editor Editorial Cartoonist Director, Business Developm ent Events Manager Senior Acc ount Executive Classified Manager Controller Office Manager President & CEO Vice President Schneps Communications, 38-15 Bell Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361 718-224-5863 • Fax 718-224-5441 Sales fax: 718-631-3498 website: www.couriersun.com e-mail:editorial@queenscourier.com ads@queenscourier.com queenscourier@queenscourier.com Entire Contents Copyright 2013 by The Courier Sun All letters sent to THE CO URIER SUN should be brief and are subject to condensing. Writers should include a full address and home and office telephone numbers, where available, as well as affiliation, indicating special interest. Anonymous letters are not printed. Name withheld on request. 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Fix the system Citizens lamenting the so-called government shutdown and the inability of our leaders to “work together” suggests a yearning for statist collectivist bureaucratic solutions to the mess a statist collectivist bureaucracy created. Many Americans are oblivious to the fact that the Constitution was the most significant consequential factor in the creation and sustenance of a free society that produced the highest standard of living on the planet. In the name of “social justice” and “fairness,” our rulers have re-defined and expanded the role of the government beyond the parameters codified in the Constitution and diluted its authority. For the first 100 years of America’s existence, the government was considerably less intrusive in our lives and economy and the results are a matter of record. After 100 years of “working together,” instituting “social justice” and “fairness,” “reaching across the aisle” and seeking equality of outcomes instead of opportunity, we are over $17 trillion in debt, 10 million workers are out of the labor force, food stamp enrollment is at a record high, household income is down 8 percent and Obamacare, so far, is an epic disaster. These results are also a matter of record. I challenge anyone to refute these facts and call me a racist. If we are going to preserve our Constitutional republic, we must strive for intellectual honesty, consider and debate facts and not spew ad hominum attacks. If our rulers persist in “double speak” and denial, exhorting them to “work together” is akin to resurrecting Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter’s party. Ed Konecnik Sandy’s lasting effects As we mark the first anniversary of Sandy’s terrifying sweep of our area, there has been progress in rebuilding people’s homes and lives, but much more remains to be done. There are many people who still are out of their homes because of the severe damage that was incurred as a result of the storm. Some homeowners are still waiting for insurance checks so that they can complete muchneeded and essential repairs on their homes. Many people still suffer emotionally as a result of their experiences during this vicious and unwelcome visitor from the tropics. The government on the local, state and federal levels has done a lot, but much more needs to be done. We must be grateful to all of those people, including civilians, police, fire and EMTs, who risked their own lives during the superstorm. Let us all continue to keep in our thoughts and prayers all of those who still remain displaced and emotionally burdened as a result of this natural catastrophe John Amato If it ain’t broke . . . I am truly offended and concerned by candidate for NYC Council Lew Simon’s lack of good character and judgment during this election season and his race against incumbent Councilmember Eric Ulrich. Simon seems to be taking the negative road to conduct his race against Ulrich. Perhaps Simon should take a look in the mirror when looking for divisiveness. He is claiming that, due to his health issues, he is unable to debate Ulrich. We, as voters in the district, were looking forward to the debate that was to be held this month. Is it true that Simon is not well enough to debate or is this health issue nothing but a rabbit hole for him to hide in because he is not up for the job!? I did a little research and the NYC Campaign Finance Board requires candidates receiving funding to participate in a PUBLIC DEBATE in order to be eligible for matching funds. Does Simon think that sending NYS Senator Joe Addabbo to be his surrogate, as he did at the Ozone Park Civic Candidate’s Forum, will suffice when making that requirement? Take heed voters who are undecided, the last thing we need is another politician that is ALREADY a wheeler dealer who knows a loophole when he sees one. We deserve a public debate; it is our right, as voters, to make an informed decision when casting our ballot. I cannot cast my vote for someone whose voice I have not heard. Ulrich has been SEEN AND HEARD at all the civic meetings, candidates’ forums, community events, precinct councils, community board meetings, school events, etc. He is not afraid to answer the hard questions and bring about real solutions. As a Democratic voter in this community, I have to say that Simon, by means of your absence, YOU made up my mind as to what I am going to do on Election Day. It is my opinion that Ulrich has conducted himself in a way that, I believe, a public servant should, so . . . if it isn’t broken, there’s no need to fix it! Joan Ujazdowski GET OUT & VOTE Mark your calendars: Tuesday, November 5 is Election Day. Voting is our American right, and we strongly urge everyone to make his or her way to the polls. On Election Day, polling places are open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. This year we will be casting our ballots for mayor, public advocate, city comptroller, borough president, city council and even state committee members. In these pages and on our website, www.queenscourier.com, we bring you a voter’s guide to the candidates. Get to know them and make an informed decision. It is up to us to elect those men and women who will lead our city and our borough most effectively. And after you’ve cast your ballot for office, be sure to vote yes on Prop # 6. A “yes” vote would lift the age limit for New York State judges, thereby allowing them to stay on the bench longer. The proposal would permit justices of the Supreme Court, who now must retire at 70 years of age but can obtain three two-year extensions so that service actually can be extended to 76 years, to serve until 80 years of age. In effect, the proposal would allow justices of the Supreme Court to obtain five rather than three extensions so that their service could extend to the age of 80. For us, this is an important issue. The public policy of New York State since the 1980s has been to prohibit employers from subjecting their employees to mandatory retirement in both the public and private sectors. Plus, these highly respected judges bring with them a cache of history, experience and knowledge of case law. And the more judges on the bench, the fewer backlogs of cases. So when you see Prop #6, be sure to choose yes. Let your voice be heard. Every vote counts. OUR CHOICES This paper is pleased to endorse Democrat Bill de Blasio for mayor of New York. Since taking office, de Blasio has stood for the interests of the middle and working classes, pushing for better public schools, protesting the closure of community hospitals, and generally advocating for a city government more responsive to the needs of outer borough residents. We are also backing incumbent City Councilmember Eric Ulrich. He was elected in 2009 as the representative for District 32, serving Belle Harbor, Breezy Point, Broad Channel, Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach, Lindenwood, Neponsit, Ozone Park, Rockaway Beach, Rockaway Park, South Ozone Park, South Richmond Hill, and Woodhaven. In the four years since, he has proven himself a communityminded leader, ever present in the neighborhoods he serves, especially during times of crisis, like Sandy. So when you go to the polls, be sure to cast your vote for Bill de Blasio and Eric Ulrich.
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