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Time to Reflect and Act

To the Editor:

As a proud legacy member of CCoHope Indivisible and Peekskill activist, I write to warn
that we are well along on the road to fascism, Christian nationalism and domination by the
wealthiest oligarchs, whose only concerns are personal enrichment at the expense of the
poorest and neediest of Americans. Some of you are well aware and sadly still take no
personal action. Others do not even vote, feeling your vote will not change things.

To those, I ask that you reconsider.

We are led by a shameless elected felon whose statements and actions are teaching our
children and grandchildren that heartlessness, greed, extreme prejudice, bullying and
criminal actions are excusable and to be emulated – power over principle – cruelty over
compassion- cheating and lying fine …gender and racial discrimination – so long as one
achieves dominance, power and wealth. These traits are not what will make America
Great Again.

These values are not what we have come to believe either Democratic or Republican
Party’s represented just a short time ago. The bills now flooding our Congress constitute a
seismic change in what this country has aspired to be since its inception and for the most
part delivered to its citizens and refugees from all over the world.

I believe economic chaos and increased income inequality, along with an erosion of
freedom of speech, decreased diversity and personal freedom are not far off.

So how long must we wait for our elected Democratic officials and remaining principled
Republicans and Independent legislators to act – to demand change, to engage as best
they can, voicing their protests to what they know to be unconstitutional or maliceful
legislation in the face of threats of being defunded or primaried…voting their conscience
and for their Country instead?

And to those Universities, Law Firms and Media who shamefully bowed down, how sad to
see your concessions, while others in your respective professions courageously stood tall,
rather than simply caving in to the threats, intimidations and bullying by this disgrace to
the Presidency.

Locally, it is not for us, as citizens and constituents of CD17 [Congressional District 17], to simply watch as our
elected representative, Mike Lawler, continues to hide behind advocacy for a few needed
local bills while voting in wholehearted support of disenfranchising immigrants, demonizing
transgender and DEI individuals and disassembling our world class educational
Institutions, scientific research, health organizations, labor protections, security networks
and international relationships.

I feel that uncaring vote by Lawler can be explained by his willful trade off to curry favor
with Trump and Musk and secure funding for his expected run as Republican challenger
for Governor of NY State, rather than have Rep. Stefanik, another transactional politician,
be the Republican choice.

While I believe his uncaring ambition will ultimately prove costly to him, it will happen only
if you, the voters of CD17, along with every other NYS District, choose to support and vote
for principled candidates who represent your values when that time comes.

Thank you.

Jay Forbes
Peekskill

Sun River Health on Medical Assistants and Vaccinators

To the Editor:

At a time when preventable diseases like measles are making an alarming return, we must do everything we can to protect our communities—especially our most vulnerable. Expanding the ability of trained medical assistants to administer vaccinations is not only the right thing to do, it’s a necessary and responsible step toward meeting that goal.

Medical assistants are trusted, highly capable members of our care teams. Under the supervision of licensed providers, they already play a critical role in preparing and supporting patients during the vaccination process. By formally allowing them to administer vaccines, we can make care more accessible, reduce delays, and ensure that no one falls through the cracks during an outbreak or routine visit.

Legislation currently in front of NYS Senate and Assembly would strengthen our safety net. The expansion of scope would still require proper oversight and training. What it offers in return is greater efficiency, shorter wait times, and more lives protected.

This is not a hypothetical problem. Sun River Health serves communities where access to care is already limited. The longer we wait to adapt to the real needs of our health system, the more we risk outbreaks that could have been prevented with a simple shot. Let’s act with urgency, clarity, and compassion.

Roberta Kelly
Peekskill
Chief Nursing Officer, Sun River Health

Lawler Has Taken a Stand Against the Constitution

To the Editor:

I called Rep. Mike Lawler’s office to ask if he had issued a statement or was preparing to issue a statement about the recent assaults and arrests of a sitting Senator, a comptroller, and the assassination of government representatives. The person answering the phone said no to
the first question and didn’t know if Rep. Lawler was planning to issue one.  On FB [Facebook] he did.  Rep. Lawler has taken a stand against the Constitution, its guarantee of due process and freedom of speech and any sense of respect for his colleagues. He had the unmitigated gall to blame them stating “just because you have a title, does not give license to touch, assault, resist or interfere with law enforcement”.

I say to him – no Rep. Lawler – just because enforcement has been given the go-ahead to violate the rule of law, you do not have the license to go against your oath to defend the Constitution and instead defend them, while turning your back on your colleagues and try to make yourself relevant to the far right while pretending to be bi-partisan.

And for the record, I am an independent voter who is anything but a far left radical – I know that’s what you will accuse me of being as you do anyone who disagrees with you. I am a proud American willing to stand up for The Constitution of the United States and the values it
represents.  As your constituent, I expect you to do the same.

Sincerely,
Joyce Bellish
Ossining

Billionaires Are Stealing from the Rest of Us

To the Editor:

“Stop the Billionaire Giveaway” national bus tour, which kicks off at the Riverfront Green Park on Saturday, June 21st at 10:00 AM, is making a 911 call to help prevent a national robbery. This country’s wealthiest individuals are in the process of stealing billions of money and services from working-class families, senior citizens, children and the working poor.

How can we understand this? Here’s an analogy. Every family that has ever dealt with addiction knows that those who suffer from this disease will lie, cheat, and steal to satisfy their cravings. Tragedy results for everyone as individuals, families, and even communities are devastated. Republicans who control Congress, in thrall to a coterie of billionaires, suffer from such a disease.

Addicted to money and the influence it buys, fed by dreams of even greater crypto-wealth, they are blinded to the economic and social damage they are ready to inflict on the overwhelming majority of their fellow citizens. Yoked to the lie that their needs surpass all others, they slavishly steal food, health care, security, and a just share of the county’s resources from your readers and even from veterans of the armed forces.

We too must overcome our denial of how much damage our worship of stock options, shareholder value, and market-only economics have done to the body politic. Indeed, we are all the victims of a sickness masquerading as financial success.

Paul E. Dinter, Ph.D.
Ossining