Serving the Towns of Wawarsing, Crawford, Mamakating, Rochester and Shawangunk, and everything in between
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The Head Of A Nasty Snake

Examine why such hatred and divisiveness became a characteristic of the Republican Party, allowing a venomous nominee for president of the United States of America to represent them? The tail of the story started rattling eight years ago with the election of Barack Obama as President. At that time Republicans had a mandate. "Our top priority over the next few years is to deny President Obama a second term," said Mitch McConnell, United States Senator. Before Obama was sworn in, the Republican plot to tie his hands, keeping him from accomplishing anything that would be a benefit to his reputation even if that benefitted the American people, was schemed. They conspired to strike out with a vengeance at his visions... the visions our democratic process elected Obama to fulfill.

This nastiness has come to a head in the form of Donald Trump. While Trump is the fangs since his nomination, the poison runs deep. It is the Republican Party that is responsible for supporting Trump's toxic demeanor. It is the Republican Party that has again undertaken a disservice to democracy and the office of president. It is the Republican Party that has failed fundamental republican principles, its constituents and the nation as a whole.

Chuck Davidson
Cragsmoor


The Conservative View In Black & White

The impending election of November 8 will be the most important election of our lives. We have two clear choices. Before I address the choices, allow me to state some simple clear facts without political spin. Just facts.

All money to support our way of life comes from taxes paid by the private sector. Government may be able to print money and borrow money, but eventually it is the private sector that pays the bill.

I certainly am not belittling government workers or teachers who provide valuable and essential services to sustain the great country we live in, but without money generated by the private sector, they would not get paid for their work, or be able to pay for retirement, health care or pay their taxes. Many of the private sector who are paying the bills do not have retirement plans or private health insurance.

The private sector also pays for the dependent sector of our society — welfare, food stamps, housing, Medicaid, disability. Remember the story about "killing the golden goose?"

Let's take a look at the breakdown of the population of the U.S... Population, 325 million. Private sector workers, 122 million, of which 86 million are full time. Government workers, 17 million. Teachers, 3.1 million. Food stamps, 50 million. Medicaid, 70 million. Welfare assistance, 68 million. Because of government policies over the past couple decades, the private sector is shrinking, the public sector growing and the dependent sector is growing. Because of government policies and regulation most of our manufacturing jobs have moved offshore resulting in few jobs for our young people when they get out of school.

Our National Debt is $20,000,000, 000,000 (twenty trillion dollars). That debt has to be paid off by 120,000,000 private sector workers. That calculates to be $166,000 for each private sector worker. Luckily the rich, and big corporations, pay a lot of that. But remember, they get most of their money from goods and services used by private sector workers and the people they support..

Let's look at our current situation: Private sector shrinking, government sector growing, dependent sector growing, unskilled, dependent immigration growing, taxes increasing, national debt increasing. How long do you think this is going to last before it collapses into a big pile?

Back to the clear choices. Are you going to vote for bigger government, more regulation. more taxes, open borders and increased debt? Or are you going to vote for reduced government, reduced taxes, less regulation, increased manufacturing and limited immigration?

Don't be distracted because Hillary is a corrupt liar. Don't be distracted because Donald is an egotistical womanizer. Think about their positions on Supreme Court and Federal Court judges, and gun control. Think about open borders and free trade.

Our nation is at a tipping point. Your decision on November 8 will determine if we maintain the historic values of our Constitution and the ten commandments, or embrace socialism and become part of a global society and let big government take care of us.

"Don't worry folks. Trust me. Everything will be alright."

In the meantime it might be a good idea to stockpile food, and figure out how you will protect you family. We will get what we deserve.

Jim Reed
Ellenville


In Support Of Malick For State Senate

I have been closely following the campaigns between Pramilla Malick and John Bonacic for the state senate race for NY State District 42. As a community advocate, Pramilla has proven her commitment to the health and well being of the people of NY State by continuing to fight against corruption and the abuse of power within the state political system. For years, she has been an ongoing force against the toxic fracked gas infrastructure being built throughout the state. She supports greater education funding and growing the STEM programs, environmental studies, and vocational skills within public schools. This will offer our children greater opportunities for their futures.

It does not take long to see what sets Pramilla Malick apart from other politicians. She is an independent thinker who will speak out for what is right, rather than following the stance of her party. Her position on the environment and ethics reform in Albany is refreshing, timely and necessary. She is a candidate with integrity and personal conviction, which I truly admire.

For me the choice is clear; I will be voting for Pramilla Malick, Democrat for State Senate on November 8, because she stands strong against corruption, and has repeatedly shown to follow her convictions and make the best choices for our community and ultimately, our state.

Nadine Raia
Warwick


Bonacic Stands Up For Spinal Cord Injury Victims

I am proud to have worked with Senator Bonacic on restoring funding for the New York State Spinal Cord Injury Research Program. This program was created in 1998 and has provided over $70 million in grants for spinal cord injury research through revenue generated by surcharges on speeding tickets and other moving violations.

This program is a key source of funding for cutting-edge medical research, and serves as a catalyst for high-tech jobs in New York. This funding is key to help provide the research needed to improve the lives of those with spinal cord injuries like myself.

The program was regularly funded until 2010 when Governor Paterson and the New York City Democratic leadership eliminated funding for the program and swept all the surcharge revenue to the state general fund. Senator Bonacic voted against the elimination of this funding and was the leading voice in the fight to restore funding for this program. Over time the funding was restored and in the 2015-16 state budget the program returned to full annual funding of $8.5 million.

I urge all voters of the 42nd Senate District to join me in voting for John Bonacic for State Senate on Tuesday, November 8.

Craig Lopez, Ulster County Legislator
Pine Bush


Teachout vs. Faso: The Congressional Race

John Faso, who is Zephyr Teachout's opponent in the race for the congressional seat once held by Maurice Hinchey (and, more recently, Chris Gibson), makes a big deal of the fact that Teachout has not lived in the 19th CD forever, the way Faso has. A phony issue. The problems facing the 19th are not so different from those facing other parts of the state and the nation as a whole: the obscene concentration of wealth at the very, very top; the need for good jobs and infrastructure repair; the proliferation of fracked gas and dirty oil pipeline proposals, even through a state that has not permitted fracking within its borders; the increasingly dire warming of the planet and need to replace fossil fuels with safe energy; the preservation of basic rights for women; the battle against the power that huge corporations have over the lives of ordinary Americans.

On all these counts, Zephyr Teachout scores high and John Faso fails miserably. While Faso was making money as a lobbyist for the Pilgrim and Constitution pipelines and arguing in favor of using eminent domain against property owners, and was also working as a lobbyist for predatory payday lenders, Teachout was fighting for the middle and working class and the environment. Faso was a consummate Albany insider — in 2010, his law firm settled an illegal lobbying allegation by paying a half-million-dollar fine. Teachout had the courage and independence to buck the Democratic establishment and challenge Governor Cuomo in the Democratic gubernatorial primary (she carried much of the mid-Hudson). She has been personally endorsed by Bernie Sanders, who is actively supporting her. Meanwhile, Faso has raked in half-million-dollar contributions from at least two hedge fund multimillionaires.

Voters in our area have an opportunity to elect to the US Congress a champion of the environment, economic justice and the interests of the 99 percent and at the same time to send a message to the nation. This contest has garnered nationwide attention and is considered too close to call. Zephyr Teachout deserves your vote.

Marc Fried
Shawangunk


Peter Matera For UC Surrogate Judge

As a second year law school student, Peter Matera played an integral role in choosing law as my career. Ever since I was little I always said I wanted to do something to help make the world a better place. I always envisioned that being something in the medical field, but it wasn't until I met Mr. Matera that I realized that law would be where I could really make a difference. Mr. Matera has always assisted my family and all of our referrals with respect, honesty and integrity. He takes his time making sure to explain everything, answer every question, and is always prudent that he is doing what is in the best interest of his clients. His opinions have always been honest and backed with much knowledge and wisdom in his many years of experience.

It was this honesty and respect for every person that walked through his office door that inspired me. Peter has many years of experience in all areas of the law, but has remained a humble and honest attorney.

Mr. Matera has been a calm voice of reason and a sense of hope for many clients. Often, lawyers have had a reputation as being money hungry and wanting to progress at the expense of others. Mr. Matera however, shatters this notion and proves that attorneys are here to help you when you need it the most.

Mr. Matera inspired me to work hard and remember that each client deserves respect and effective legal help. It should not matter if the client is poor or rich but what should matter is the case at hand, which should always be litigated to the best of my ability. It is this kind of integrity, honesty and trustworthiness that I strive to emulate.

Ernestina Carosella
Eddyville


Believes In Donald J. Trump's Strength...

With all the real and horrible things going on — from the genocide in Aleppo to the hurricane devastating Carolina, not to forget criminal gangs and even this stupid business of clowns out in the bushes (are you kidding me?) I'm watching some dim bulbs on TV telling America that Donald Trump is just terrible because he was very aggressive on the soccer field as a boy. Or because he said stuff to another man, not meant to be made public, about women. Look, we all do it, men and women, but it's private. If he started saying things like that in public, then sure there is a problem! But what about Bill and Hillary? When is the truth gonna make an appearance and we learn about Bill taking lessons from Bill Cosby. We know that's coming don't we? This may be a big game to those people that can afford not to be us, the pawns. I hope this old bull-poop that the media is chumming the waters with gets really looked at by weak-minded voters and not just taken as truth. Trump offers a real alternative to the established parties, and they're running scared. Maybe Trump really wants to make us great again, unlike the powers in office!

And when can we get our tags for clown hunting?

John & Tammi Bath
Pine Bush


How The Race Has Pushed Her To The Left...

I used to be a tolerant liberal. As a Democrat involved in politics for over 50 years, I used to think there was some merit in some Republican ideas, even if I didn't totally agree; certain aspects of positions on the economy, states' rights, and less federal bureaucracy occasionally resonated. And from time to time I admired individual Republicans, such as John McCain when he bravely spoke up for campaign finance reform. I had some respect for the opposition.

Not any more. Now I'm a doctrinaire liberal, and I'll tell you why.

"Trickle-down economics" has led to... Donald Trump. Hypocritical lip service to "smaller government" while running for office oneself has led to... Donald Trump. Pandering to the religious right while practicing few precepts of the Judeo-Christian tradition has led to... Donald Trump. "Compassionate conservatism," an oxymoron as mythical as the troll or unicorn, has led to... Donald Trump. Magical thinking that an end to racism, sexism, and discrimination will come without awakening consciences within and enacting legislation without has led to... Donald Trump. Monstrously unfair tax advantage for the most wealthy has led to... Donald Trump. Waving the flag and boasting how patriotic one is while promulgating unjust wars and often never serving in the Armed Forces oneself has led to... Donald Trump. Jabbering about growing the American economy while doing most of one's business overseas has led to... Donald Trump. Being elected to a government job and then thinking one is doing it by trying to shut government down has led to... Donald Trump.

A party that goes into its presidential nominating convention with 17 candidates but no identifiable legitimate positive principles is a party that has lost sight of the founding fathers' vision of the relationship between government and governed; a party that has forgotten that in a democracy equality means respecting, representing, and helping all its citizens, including the weakest, poorest, and least is a party that no longer has a viable ideology and has replaced its defunct one with nothing.

Or rather, with... Donald Trump.

Jane S. Wood
Wawarsing


Ponder This...

The most stunning fall leaves I've ever seen and all this during a drought. A gift? Any thoughts?

Jill Paperno
Glenford



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