Dems: Either fight for the 99%, or keep losing
Forest Hills: Redistricting is a mistake. It will hurt Democrats in the long run because it won’t differentiate them and it’s simply wrong. Political parties don’t pick people, people pick parties. Republicans won because Democrats had nothing to offer voters and still don’t have any message (other than President Trump is bad). Democrats have to represent a clear choice to voters.
They can start by pushing for real tax reform, campaigning with a promise that if they control the legislature, they’ll pass a 4% surtax on the 1% highest-income taxpayers, and the first $300,000 of income is exempt from Social Security and income taxes for all taxpayers. As a practicing certified public accountant and attorney, I believe there’d be a budget surplus to lower the deficit. I don’t believe there’s any downside. It would provide the greatest good to the greatest number of citizens, which I believe should be the purpose of government.
While the main purpose of taxation is to obtain revenue, it’s not the only purpose. Taxation is calculated to place the burden on those who can bear it. The 99% are bearing too much. In the Forbes list of the 400 wealthiest Americans, the last person on the list had more than $3 billion of wealth and the top nine people had $150 billion or more. Let’s remember that $1 billion is 1,000 millions. What sacrifices does someone with billions have to make when burdened with an additional 4% tax? The government needs to fund some of the programs it’s cutting, and citizens should not need subsidy programs to survive. The tax structure should leave citizens with the money needed to support themselves. Paul J. Gengo
Fight or take flight
Flushing: Was Sen. Chuck Schumer performing political theater with the government shutdown, which most people rightfully blamed on the GOP and Trump? Some pundits say Schumer wanted to strengthen the Democrats’ position by painting the GOP as the party hurting ordinary people. But anyone who buys groceries, gets evicted from their home or is forgoing medical treatment knows who’s at fault. Abigail Spanberger in Virginia and Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey couldn’t have won their governor’s races by such large margins without former MAGA voters turning on Trump. Schumer hasn’t only betrayed millions of people fighting for democracy and the 99%, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, who maintains his position against the non-deal Schumer agreed to, and progressive senators. The eight Senate Democrats who voted yes were selected because they were retiring or not up for reelection. The next step is primarying Democrats who won’t fight for us. MAGA is cracking, and Democrats can take advantage. Frances Madnick
Time to turn
Lakewood, N.J.: Note to all Republicans: The orange wall is cracking, but not fast enough. The felon is on the ropes. It’s time to stand up to the bully. If the GOP can miraculously find the courage to unite and stop supporting the guy who boasted how he can identify an elephant, suggested that we ingest bleach and nuke hurricanes, not only will we finally be rid of this horrible convicted felon, liar, cheater, crook and worst president ever, but you will gain the respect of the American people that you so desperately desire. We only need a handful of you to step up and do the right thing for America. Band together and help get him out of office. I don’t understand why you continue to support this ignorant and cruel individual. He starved the poor with his shutdown, and of course blamed the Democrats. Frank Mongiello
Propped up
Flushing: Do you think Trump knows he’s the stupidest, most ignorant, evil person to occupy the White House? He thinks all these people around him support him, but in reality, he’s just a useful idiot! Joseph Gross
Milking it
Brooklyn: Electing Trump was like putting the fox in charge of the hen house — giving China the chips, Saudi Arabia the F-35s, Qatar U.S. bases, Argentina $40 billion, and Trump makes billions in crypto deals, builds private resorts, gets jumbo jets and his son-in-law makes billions of dollars in deals with Arab countries. This is only the tip of the iceberg. Trump’s selling only his Trump-brand products. I have to stop writing because I have to run out and buy a Trump Bible. Don Adler
Royal treatment
Greenburgh, N.Y.: Fifteen of the 19 terrorists who attacked our country on 9/11 were Saudi Arabian citizens. Now the fool in our White House invites the leader of Saudi Arabia into our country, treats him with great honor and protects him from tough questions from our press. While the fool kisses his butt, I bet a lot you now wish you had voted for Kamala Harris! Steve Howe
Boondoggle in the bay
Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.: I’m astounded that the Daily News is editorializing in favor of the Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline that Gov. Hochul is welcoming into New York City (“Power for the public,” editorial, Nov. 14). NESE doesn’t deliver power for the people, just higher utility bills and deep environmental damage. It was already rejected three times because it didn’t meet water quality standards. It will destroy Raritan Bay’s recently restored maritime ecosystem, harm the Rockaways and stir up toxic metals in New York Harbor. It will cost billions of dollars borne by New York ratepayers. Most of all, builder Transco has fuzzed the facts about our need for gas. National Grid has a surplus of it. This was true the last three times the pipeline was rejected. The facts haven’t changed, but somehow Hochul, the Public Service Commission and the DEC have made a different decision. Cathie Campbell
Pipeline dream
Ithaca, N.Y.: While reading your editorial in support of Hochul’s decision as a “stopgap” measure to allow construction of the NESE pipeline in our harbor, I could feel the writer’s spine twisting within them as they forced the words onto the page. For example: “Hochul is correct that the state’s focus should be on continuing to develop a wide range of energy solutions with a specific emphasis on continuing toward the long-term objectives of clean energy independence.” A focus and emphasis on “continuing toward” long-term objectives? Where’s the action? Any novice broker on Wall Street will tell you that the best time to invest is now, not when retiring – not in the future. Your pained support of Hochul’s future talk exemplifies the kind of “today” wisdom that’s been poisoning our water, soil and air for 45 years. Real future talk 45 years ago would have resulted in energy sources incapable of polluting our lives today. Christine Sheppard
Time to reflect
Woodside: So, wigmaker and “influencer” Miriam Yarimi thinks she’s just as much a victim as the three dead victims she ran down. She needs to get a grip. Hopefully, that will happen while she’s in a prison cell for a (too-short) sentence. All of NYC is potentially victims while this proven menace is on the streets. She shouldn’t be allowed to drive for the rest of her life. Since she’s only 33, that’ll be several decades. Sheila Richardson
Fakes outrage
Brooklyn: For those people complaining that federal agents and NYPD were busting vendors on Canal St., I say this: These so-called vendors are pushing illegal counterfeit goods, women’s bags, clothing, watches and jewelry all as phony as a $3 bill. Counterfeit goods are the bane of legal brick-and-mortar establishments that pay taxes and pay their employees. They sell the genuine thing with a legitimate warranty. These vendors are extremely aggressive and menacing, hawking their fraudulent items with no fear of consequences, blocking the sidewalks with their tables of illicit wares. If you’re naïve and gullible enough to purchase something from them and it malfunctions or breaks, don’t expect a refund or replacement. I believe the old saying goes, and should be heeded: “Buyer beware!” William R. Sarnataro
Mysterious deaths
Manhattan: On Monday morning, a body was found alongside the FDR Drive under the new Cherry St. pedestrian bridge. The previous week, a woman’s body was found in Luther Gulick Park near Delancey and Columbia St., not far from Cherry St. She was said to have head trauma. Perhaps you would like to ask the 7th Precinct about these. I would like to know what they have found. Vincent Tsao
