Reader’s Letters

Dear Editor,

I am 60 years old, disabled, and dependent upon Medicaid and SNAP. Soon enough, I will be dependent upon Medicare. If I do not have medications and access to doctors, I am essentially non-functional. I am struggling to return to work, but without satisfactory resolution of my health problems, I will never be a meaningful participant in the US economy. I need benefits like Medicaid and SNAP in order to be able to continue on a path to wellness.

Congressional Republicans, including Mike Lawler, are threatening to shut down the government unless they are able to take away health care from millions of working people and families, raising their costs. He may smile and talk a big game about helping everyday Americans, but the fact is that he’s perfectly happy to see Medicaid and Medicare taken away from the poor and elderly.

Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House. If the government shuts down, it’s because Mike Lawler et al chose to shut it down rather than pass a budget that serves the American people.

Budgets reflect values and priorities – Republicans in Congress are choosing to prioritize the wealthy elite and corporations, even if that means forcing a government shutdown, while Democrats will not stop fighting to lower costs for working families.

That’s why I’m happy to support and vote for Beth Davidson. She would never vote to make Rockland County sicker. She’s here for all of NY-17.

Carolynn ní Lochlainn

Suffern, NY

To the Editor,

Congressman Mike Lawler deserves credit for consistently opposing government shutdowns. He has stood firm in stating that shutdowns harm veterans, seniors, families, and small businesses in our community. While others play political games, Congressman Lawler has worked to keep the government open in a bipartisan manner, even standing up against his own party to serve the people of NY-17.

But the same cannot be said for the Democrats. For years, they blasted shutdowns as “reckless,” “hostage-taking,” and “extremist”. Yet today, they are the ones threatening to shut down the government to push their political agenda. Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, Hakeem Jeffries, and others have previously stated that shutdowns are indefensible. Now they are doing exactly what they once condemned. That is the definition of hypocrisy.

The Democratic candidates running for Congress in our district must be honest with voters: do they support forcing a shutdown, or will they join Congressman Lawler in opposing it? Silence is not an option. Our community deserves clear answers, not more double talk.

Sincerely,

Barry Werk

New City, NY

  Beth Davidson, Davidon, democrats, Lawler, Mike Lawler, new city, NY-17, republicans, rockland county, shutdown, Suffern