The new federal tax cut plan has been released and our governor is not a big fan. The governor actually said the new federal tax plan hurts states with high taxes. Shouldn’t the question be why is New York state a high-tax state?We listened to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s State of the State speech and all we heard was expanding numerous social programs, (free tuition, universal pre-K, etc.). Our governor also said he wants to make New York the most generous state for the Extended Family Leave Act. Being taxpayers, we would like to know how all this is being paid for. Not once during his speech did he mention making necessary cuts to some programs or how we can cut wasteful spending.Our state is facing a $4 billion deficit. We think the goal of our governor should be trying to lower taxes so we don’t fall into the category of a high-taxed state. Then maybe we will have fewer people leaving the state.Mary FarstadWilliam FarstadBallston SpaMore from The Daily Gazette:EDITORIAL: Find a way to get family members into nursing homesGuilderland girls’ soccer team hands BH-BL first league lossEDITORIAL: Urgent: Today is the last day to complete the censusEDITORIAL: Thruway tax unfair to working motoristsFoss: Should main downtown branch of the Schenectady County Public Library reopen? Categories: Letters to the Editor, Opinion
In 2010, Donald Trump spoke of global warming as “a con,” later tweeting that “the concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.” More Nazi-style propaganda? I think this is “fake news” about the Chinese who, on many days either must stay indoors or wear masks to protect them from their smog. I think they know a bit about pollution and global warming.Later, Trump told a right-wing talk show host, “I’m not a believer in man-made global warming. It could be warming, and it’s going to start to cool at some point. And you know, in the early 1920s, people talked about global cooling. But the problem we have, and if you look at our energy costs, and all of the things we’re doing to solve a problem that I don’t think in any major fashion exists.” Eh? What? Does this even make sense? What did he just tell us? He may profess not to believe in global warming, but he’s building higher sea walls at some of his coastal properties to prevent the flooding that comes with rising sea levels. So I think he’s lying to us (again) when he says global warming is a con and a hoax.Meanwhile, please conserve fossil fuels and eat less beef. It will even save you money.And in the Democratic primaries, consider a vote for Tedra Cobb for representative to the House. She is very environmentally concerned and has a lot of experience behind her.Jahnn Swanker-GibsonJohnstownMore from The Daily Gazette:EDITORIAL: Thruway tax unfair to working motoristsEDITORIAL: Beware of voter intimidationGov. Andrew Cuomo’s press conference for Sunday, Oct. 18EDITORIAL: Find a way to get family members into nursing homesCuomo calls for clarity on administering vaccine Categories: Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Categories: Letters to the Editor, OpinionGOP has become the party of inactionThe Daily Gazette Sept. 2 opinion piece “Taxing the Rich Won’t pay for Democratic Promises” by David Wilson (who worked for Newt Gingrich) focuses on what we can’t do.Like many Republicans, he argues against Democratic efforts to find solutions, offering no alternate plans. He cringes over the 10-year $30 trillion to 40 trillion projected cost of “Medicare For All.” That sounds staggering until you consider that under the current health system, 10-year costs will exceed $50 trillion, according to the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (see cms.gov).Wilson goes on to say how impossible it will be to afford plans to combat climate change, like Elizabeth Warren’s proposed $2 trillion “Green Apollo Program” that would focus on green research, manufacturing and exporting green technology.He totally neglects the cost of doing nothing. Most analysts predict climate change costs will be enormous as cities flood, fresh water becomes scarce and storms increase in intensity. We need more than a moonshot to deal with climate change; we need an effort equivalent to the buildup for World War II. But let’s not wait for a climate Pearl Harbor to act.The Republicans are the party of “no” and “can’t.” They want us to retreat into a shell. In the last 100 years, most of this country’s big domestic improvements, such as the WPA, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and the Affordable Care Act, have come from Democrats. Under Republican Dwight Eisenhower, rich people were taxed as much as 90 percent, which funded the Interstate Highway System.Peter WatrousDuanesburgThanks to bank for electronics recyclingIn this day when it seems everyone wants to complain about everything, I would like to say thanks. Thank you to the Ballston Spa National Bank for the electronic recycling day it had on Sept. 7 at its headquarters in Ballston Spa. This a great service to the community and gave us a place to get rid of the old electronic products we had in our homes. The bank staff was well organized and prompt, and everyone had a smile on their face! Great job BSNB. We thank you.Frank BlairBallston SpaClarify position on health care plansThe Health Equity and Access Reform Today Act of 1993 was introduced and co-sponsored by Republicans. It’s considered similar to the Affordable Care Act (ACA).Massachusetts health care reform (also called Romneycare) is also considered similar to the ACA. Based on my experience, Republicans who dislike the ACA and Democrats who promote the ACA don’t acknowledge Romneycare very much. Regardless, the programs are considered similar.Regarding the many Republican attempts to get rid of the ACA (which has been compared to their own), are they merely attempting to appease their base and nothing more, or are they authentic attempting to get rid of the ACA? I don’t think voters on either side want to know the answer to that.Colin YunickCharltonMore from The Daily Gazette:EDITORIAL: Urgent: Today is the last day to complete the censusEDITORIAL: Find a way to get family members into nursing homesEDITORIAL: Beware of voter intimidationFoss: Should main downtown branch of the Schenectady County Public Library reopen?Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s press conference for Sunday, Oct. 18
Categories: Letters to the Editor, OpinionHow will solar panels affect town aquifer?Chances are, if you are reading this letter, you are part of the 150,000-plus residents that enjoy the water from the sole source aquifer in the town of Rotterdam.Currently, there is a project in progress to install solar panels right in the middle of Rotterdam Junction directly over the wellheads, in a Zone 1 protected area, and right on top of our valued water supply.I have been trying to get detailed information on the type of solar panels and what materials are used in the manufacturing.This is a potential hazard and a high risk to our water supply that appears to have been rubber-stamped through our town and county elected officials.I find it ironic that they would let this project go through and then turn around on their re-election literature and state they are protecting our aquifer.My requests for information on this project and panels have all gone unanswered. Something is not right, and this needs to be pursued by anyone concerned about water quality. Town and county officials are elected to act in the best interest of their citizens. In my opinion, they are falling woefully short of their responsibilities.Steve GrandstaffRotterdam Junction Examine the reasons for hatred of TrumpIt makes you wonder, this deep-seated political hatred for the American president. From where does it come? Is it because he, this non-lawyer, this non-politico, overstepped his limitations by challenging a chosen one in a national election? How dare he. Is it because he realized that the media and its minions were so totally indebted to one political party and its seemingly anti-American rant? Nah, couldn’t be. Is all this never-ending criticism of the chief of state taking place because of the president’s skin color? Nah, couldn’t be. But he is a white male, and for some, that is enough to indict. What is the reason for a three-year vendetta against this president, members of his family, Supreme Court members and their families?Global warming? Have outside temperatures somehow altered the brains of certain members of Congress who were clearly ensconced in the camp of a woman who still might be indicted for high crimes and misdemeanors?What causes members of Congress to incite social injustice against the president and members of his administration? Who knows? Partisan politics?You know, maybe a little more time should be spent in solving the problems of homelessness, failing infrastructure and illegal border crossings. It might also be a good idea if our media, yes, all of them, would just report the news instead of altering it. Might it be time to impeach … Congress?Allen R. RemaleySaratoga SpringsMore from The Daily Gazette:EDITORIAL: Urgent: Today is the last day to complete the censusEDITORIAL: Find a way to get family members into nursing homesEDITORIAL: Thruway tax unfair to working motoristsFoss: Should main downtown branch of the Schenectady County Public Library reopen?EDITORIAL: Beware of voter intimidation Gazette makes effort at political balanceI take issue with Mr. Eplite, and then some, in his Oct. 4 letter “Paper has shifted too far to the left.”I have enormous respect for The Gazette policy regarding the selection of nationally recognized journalists. I read two to three newspapers every day and keep extremely current on the national news.In my opinion, The Gazette makes a reasonable effort to provide a balanced perspective in matters political.Does Mr. Eplite read George Will’s column which appears nearly every Sunday? Mr. Will has long been recognized as one of the most respected purveyors of conservative opinion.I could cite several other conservative thinkers, several of whom appear in The Gazette with some frequency. I’m thinking of David Brooks, Bret Stephens, Peggy Noonan, Bill Kristol, David Frum, Jennifer Rubin, Michelle Malkin and Hugh Hewitt.What appears to upset Mr. Eplite is that only a scant few of these demonstrate any respect for President Trump. That’s because there’s a virtual consensus among respected liberal and conservative pundits that Trump is a chronic liar, unbridled narcissist, corrupt businessman and con man who poses a grave threat to our country.At this point, the principal dispute I see among pundits is how best to rid ourselves of this guy before something really dangerous occurs.Robert K. CorlissSchenectady Kids are doing what’s expected of citizensSometimes kids can’t win. So often they are criticized for being unconcerned, preferring to sit on the couch playing video games rather than being engaged in civic duty.However, when informed young people marched in the student climate strike and spoke passionately about the issue of their generation, many adults were quick to criticize and made ridiculous claims that these young advocates were being manipulated by those with a leftist agenda.The student climate strike is a good example of what is essential to keep our republic healthy: Stay informed and advocate for what you believe to be true.Today’s young people are reminding us that we live in a democracy. Elected officials are in office to serve their constituents, and it’s up to us to hold them accountable.Upon leaving the Constitutional Convention more than 230 years ago, Ben Franklin was asked what government the delegates had settled on. He famously responded, “A Republic, if you can keep it.”He understood an informed, active citizenry would keep this new “experimental” government alive.If old Ben was around today, I’m guessing he would have applauded the students on that climate strike for pounding the pavement to wake the adults up.Bill BrooksGlenville Write in the people who are deservingYes, it’s getting close to Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 5). The election signs are already cluttering up our roads. The campaign commercials are already ruining our television watching.I respectfully suggest that this year, you make your votes actually worth something. I suggest you do this by writing your votes in instead of filling out ovals for them. Write in someone you admire for every position you vote for. Doing that gets that your favorite person’s name into the consciousness of the general public, because someone has to read all the names that have been written in during each election.I myself will be writing in Jesus, as anyone who knows me or has read my letters to the editor would easily guess. If you don’t want to write in Jesus, then let me suggest that you write in Mollie Collins, who actually has election signs around here asking us to write her in. Thank you. Maybe someone should put up some election signs for Jesus.Joel NelsonSchenectady
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