Thoughts on election 2011
The non-voters have spoken. Now let them wallow in it.
Ralph Childers
Saugerties
Republicans have Stockholm Syndrome
Would anyone be surprised that the five former Democratic Presidents – Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Lyndon B. Johnson, John F. Kennedy, and Harry S. Truman – all reduced public debt as a share of GDP, while the last four Republican presidents – George W. Bush, George H. W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, and Gerald Ford- all oversaw an increase in the country’s indebtedness? You would? Well, it’s a fact.
Am I surprised that our new town supervisor wants an increase in her pay for the work that Greg Helsmoortel has done for years with no complaint? I would be if I didn’t read the news every day to hear that the Republicans won’t increase taxes on the super wealthy but insist on keeping the ridiculously low Bush-era tax cuts for this 1% (remember that he presided over a large portion of Republican accumulation of debt).
I’m a clinical psychologist but I’m at a loss to understand how middle class people can vote Republican! There is a concept called “identification with the aggressor” where people in abusive situations feel helpless and will identify with the abusers. This may be the case when they vote for the Republicans who refuse to extend unemployment benefits or financial aid for those losing their homes and want to cut social programs (which the wealthy don’t need). The Republicans are looking out for themselves, not us – they need and want the millions of dollars that the wealthy will give them to win their elections. Democracy for sale!
I hope my fellow Democrats and Eisenhower Republicans won’t be sitting home in 2012 but will get out there with their time and money and help our country get back on track. With a Democratic Congress, Senate and House of Representatives, we can get a government that looks out for us, not themselves or their super-rich funding sources.
Meyer Rothberg
Saugerties
Myers keeps her promise on Keep
I commend Supervisor-Elect Kelly Myers for keeping her campaign promise regarding the Dickinson’s Keep housing proposal.
If state officials approve the developer’s request for housing credits, then the tax agreement negotiated by the current Town Board majority goes into effect. This would have a devastating impact on Saugerties property taxpayers.
Realizing the state could act before she takes office in January, Kelly wrote a letter to state officials to notify them know she doesn’t support the project. Town Councilman Jimmy Bruno also signed the letter. Although he voted to rescind the tax agreement in August, Councilman Freddie Costello, now safely reelected, refused to sign the letter. Why? Perhaps he’s afraid to tick-off his Democratic Party handler, Patti Kelly, who supports the project.
Given Costello’s true nature, his latest flip-flop is hardly surprising. I’m sure the Saugerties voters he conned into supporting him based on his August vote will remember his lack of action the next time he runs for office.
Joe Roberti, Jr.
Chairman. Saugerties GOP
Join the family! 
