Letters to the Press: For the Week of May 27 – June 2

Voters: Beware Of The Chameleon Candidate

By definition, a chameleon is a lizard of the old world family with the unique ability to change its colors according to the expediency of its situation. Some political candidates will say or do anything to win an election. They will buy a home in a neighborhood based on the strategic significance of the district rather than on a heartfelt desire to live there; they will embrace an ideology based on the trends of their potential constituency rather than as a result of long held convictions; they will use their money to buy public endorsements rather than to earn a legitimate following.

While this type of demagoguery is certainly not new to American politics, it is particularly dangerous in this year’s midterm election. Because so many citizens feel that they were hoodwinked in the elections of 2008, this year’s electorate has shifted sharply to the political right. The American people are demanding a decrease in the scope and the power of our federal government. They are embracing a philosophy of fiscal responsibility, tax cuts, individual autonomy, strong national defense and control of our national borders. This has led to many a candidate’s claim of ties to conservatism, but few possess a résumé to affirm this.

An informed citizenry is the key to our nation’s salvation; the American people must be able to separate truth from fiction as they attempt to decipher the words of potential representatives. Candidates must be carefully scrutinized in order to insure that their record is consistent with their rhetoric. Recent history has taught us that a candidate’s past affiliations, speeches and writings are much more indicative of his or her future actions than any campaign slogan or talking point. Taking this into consideration, a clear mantra has developed for the electorate of 2010: Voters Beware.

Voters beware of the chameleon candidate who will say or do anything to win an election. Upon taking office, these old world lizards will promptly shed their skin and expose their true agenda.

Jeremy Pitcoff, Nesconset
Smithtown Republican Committeeman

Three Cheers for Reynolds

Dear Editor:

Kudos to Jeff Reynolds for making the Press’ Power List for 2010. I knew Jeff when I was a “working person” back in the 1990s. He worked at Long Island Association for AIDS Care at the time and I was employed by the New York State Department of Health AIDS Drug Assistance Program. Our paths would cross many times over most of the decade. Jeff has always struck me as ambitious without being aggressive. He does not shy away from issues that others might and he never buries his head in sand where others tend to look the other way. He has been able to advocate for people of color, the Gay, Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender population, immigrants and other underserved communities on Long Island and I look forward to reading about his ongoing endeavors in the years to come.

Amy Abby, MPH, CHES, Oceanside

Just Say No to Dolan

Dear Editor:

You just lost a loyal reader [by] voting James Dolan on your Power List. I think he’s the worst thing that ever happened to Long Island. His arrogant “I’m better then everyone” attitude is 99 percent of the reason that I quit Cablevision. I bet you’ll find most Long Islanders agree with me. Go ahead, take a survey. I thank God I no longer work for Newsday. My condolences to all still there. I’m sure your days are numbered.

Ken Jones

He Wants A Recount

I can see why the Long Island Press’ own proofreader didn’t make your Power List. They didn’t have the influence to correct the Random LI error contained in the statement: “Sagamore Hill was the home of Theodore Roosevelt—our 26th president.”

The fact is that TR was actually our 25th—since only 24 men preceded him in that office. That Grover Cleveland was unwisely (mis)counted as both our 22nd and 24th presidents is merely a century-old mistake. We’ve had about 20 other presidents elected twice, but none of them are ever counted as if they were two different presidents. And the excuse that his terms were uniquely non-consecutive is a lame one. But I guess you can count me as a minority of one.

Richard Siegelman, Plainview