Government systems are broken
We are a nation addicted to deficit: city, 8 percent tax increase; county, fiscal problems; state, 5 billion, federal 1 trillion deficits. New York state in 2010 is raising most fees (yes, this is tax) and has taken away STAR for retired folks. Plan on reductions in parts of Medicare; no SSI adjustment this year, ad infinitum.
Please, stop voting based on name recognition and help fix a broken, corrupt local, state, federal government. Throw out the career and good ol' boy reps and politicians in all areas. Out with the old, in with the new.
This year, if you have to vote for an incumbent, demand the litmus test below as well. Call, e-mail, whatever means you have, candidates and DEMAND they promise to: Cut taxes, stop spending, support and legislate term limits, reduce government and bureaucracy, no more pork. Pass the word. Call a friend. Get it done. Make your own litmus test. Just help promote change for your kids and your future.
Suggestions? Can you help? E-mail jeannebridger@yahoo.com.
Jeanne Bridger
Maryland
Sears is wrong on the numbers
Does anyone see the irony in Tom Sears' latest column? The headline reads, "Right is winning war of ideas," but doesn't present a single idea. Even better is the last line, "We can't let these ideologies get away with lying any longer." Tom, that's why "your side" got creamed in the last two elections!
The rest of the column is just full of rightwing talking points. Tom, everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but not to their own facts. ABC News estimated the crowds in Washington, D.C., to be 60-70,000. That's around 2 percent of your 1.5 to 2 million. Of course, ABC news is part of the devil "mainstream media."
Your "Keystone Kops" reference reminds me of the Bush administration.
We wouldn't have needed the $787 billion stimulus package if not for the "bumbling ineptness and incompetence" of the Bush administration, that drove our nation to the brink of depression.
Tom, were you an accountant at Enron before you started at Hartwick?
Neil Monzeglio
West Laurens
Erik Miller has been a friend to Milford
The village of Milford has had a long-standing and exceptional relationship with Erik Miller. He came to us with fresh ideas and a willingness to collaborate as we were reorganizing and planning for the future of the village. This was done in the spirit of helping everyone improve their community.
Erik's innovative ideas secured grants and funding for many village projects. He was instrumental in moving ahead with the village's comprehensive plan as well as our new land-use regulations. His enthusiasm is contagious and his willingness to "get the job done" has helped the village of Milford achieve much in the past few years.
I can honestly say that the city of Oneonta would benefit greatly with Erik as its mayor. His energy, dedication and strong goal-setting abilities would contribute greatly toward Oneonta's future.
Sabine Curry
Milford
Elected officials aren't listening
I call on those who are elected to represent me and my concerns, and they don't answer. I write letters, which are truly an art form now. They are not answered. I send an e-mail. It's deleted. When they visit, they avoid my district, just as the Clinton woman did from the beginning and Chucky Schumer still does even now.
Where is my girl, Gilly? At Hudson Valley Community College talking to an illegal alien, Obama? Not an American, because of all this nonsense about his birth certificate?
How is this guy where he is? Voting fraud, Al Franken, the housing crash, ACORN, voting machine failures, chads, racism, threats, Black Panthers, and look at the black caucus in the Congress. You wonder where the activists of the '60s and '70s ended up? Selling favors, not crack! Selling the United States to the lowest bidder at the United Nations ... not the American people.
Getting the Oneonta Common Council to agree on anything is like trying to wash eight cats in the same tub at the same time. OK. The park project is in progress, and the tree Ents live on. Now that there are no more trees on Main Street downtown, can you hear me march to the sound of a different drum?
Yours in Christ. God Bless America.
Chuck Ringwood
Maryland
Bernier serves her community well
I am writing in support of Judge Lucy Bernier's campaign for Oneonta City Court Judge. Lucy has extensive experience in general law practice since 1981.
Her experience in the courts includes serving as Otsego County assistant district attorney from 1992 to 1997, Oneonta city prosecutor from 1998 to 2003 and Oneonta City Court judge since 2004. In addition, she has trained other justices and attorneys on matters ranging from domestic violence to landlord-tenant matters.
I have known Lucy for more than 30 years and recently served with her as a member of the Oneonta Centennial Committee. She is actively engaged in the community, having also served on the boards of Opportunities for Otsego, Oneonta Dollars for Scholars and Oneonta Concert Association, and as president of the Oneonta Professional Women's Network.
In my opinion, Lucy's keen intellect, even temperament and passion for our community make her the best choice for Oneonta City Court judge.
Diane Georgeson
Oneonta
We are fortunate to have Seward
How fortunate is the area to have a man the caliber of Senator James Seward? Well, let's see!
Despite the loss of Republican control of the New York State Senate to the Democrats, we still have our man! Thank God. As a political scientist, I know that he has a struggle. With control of the executive and legislative branches in the hands of liberal Democrats, "watch out" Albany.
A true statesman, Jim Seward exudes honesty and integrity and never falters. In fact, he reminds me of the late Senator Charles Cook, a great man who was my mentor and idol while I was a member of his staff. Both of these men and I are graduates of Hartwick College. This fine college has developed the minds of many local leaders.
Senator Seward is a leader for sure. He is on top of the issues, and lets his constituents know about them. The new utility service tax, school-tax reform, economic expansion and retention are just a few of his top issues for our area.
The two tax issues alone are of major concern, for they portray what is called a regressive tax. This means that they do not use income as an index for a sliding scale. Obviously, this represents a burden, particularly for those with low or fixed incomes.
So how fortunate are we to have Senator Seward fighting for us in Albany and at home? It is immeasurable. What do you think? Regardless of your opinion, remember that he is serving you voluntarily and please, thank him the next time you see him.
Thank you, Senator!
Stephen M. Palmatier
South New Berlin
Babcock committed to serving voters
I encourage the voting residents of the Town of Franklin, which includes Treadwell, to write in the name of Betsy B. Babcock for the position of town clerk on Nov. 3.
It is a shame that important elected positions continue to show up unopposed on the ballot year after year. I support Ms. Babcock because she is committed to the idea that every vote counts.
Jane Carr
Treadwell
