Conservative spin and sarcasm do not serve public

Editor:

When I was being raised, I was taught respect for others, even those you disagree with. I was also taught you don’t call your elder by their first name unless one invites you. Mr. Lauricella’s letter (Orleans Hub, March 29, 2016), failed the respect test miserably.

He likes to think we are still fighting the Cold War referring to Liberals as “leftists and communists”. He was appalled when President Obama went to Cuba and was photographed with a large mural of Che Guevara in the background. He fails to note that past Republican presidents have also posed in front of communist icons. Google it.

Yes, Mr. Lauricella, the Food Stamp Program feeds children that would otherwise go hungry since their parents’ income may not be sufficient. It is heartless to imply that our American Society has no obligation to assist poor people.

He goes on to confuse history with ideology. Let me set it straight. During the 1860s, the Republican Party was actually the liberal thinkers, most of all wanting to eliminate slavery. That was the Party of Lincoln. It was the conservatives who opposed freedom for blacks. These same conservatives opposed the equal rights movement of Martin Luther King.

Mr. Lauricella, as conservatives tend to do, slam the EPA as being necessary. Industrial air and water pollution doesn’t stop at state borders. Acid rain from coal plants, carbon dioxide emissions and industrial discharge into waterways knows no bounds. Therefore, we are NOT adequately protected by our state conservation department. Obviously, it takes federal controls to limit air and water pollution.

You really think we don’t need to be concerned about the environment or that regulations are bad for business? Consider this: the Earth is 4.6 billion years old. Let’s scale that to 46 years. We have been here for 4 hours. Our industrial revolution began 1 minute ago. In that time, we have destroyed more than 50% of the world’s forests. This is not sustainable. How is THAT good for business?

Yes, even though I am a gun owner and hunter, I support the NYS SAFE Act. I say no more gun violence. I say we need universal background checks and a ban on military assault weapons. More guns in the hands of more people is NOT going to end the cycle of massacres in the U.S. It certainly doesn’t keep us free. Your reference to “communist countries” being those who ban guns is not accurate.

Mr. Lauricella, we saw what happened the last time a Republican president was elected. Our economy went into the ditch, we entered into senseless wars, the middle class was dismantled as tax cuts for the rich increased, American jobs were sent overseas, etc, etc. When W. Bush left office, his approval rating was 32%. President Obama’s approval is at 53%. So, we should hire another Republican because?

Mr. Lauricella, there is only one altar where I worship; and that is to my Almighty God that I hold in my heart. Our democratic government is a system which is designed to meet public needs, not make profits for a few. By electing Democrats to office, we are ensuring the use of our tax money for creating opportunities for everyone.

Women need to remember that in 1974, Republicans voted against allowing women to apply for a mortgage or credit card without a man. In 1978, Republicans voted against banning employers from firing pregnant women. In 2012, Republicans voted against the Equal Pay for Equal Work for Women Act. Republicans are the neoconservatives.

And never forget:

Conservatives opposed Blacks and women voting, Americans won.
Conservatives opposed stopping child labor, Americans won.
Conservatives opposed a minimum wage, Americans won.
Conservatives opposed the 40-hour work week, Americans won.
Conservatives opposed the 8-hour work day, Americans won.
Conservatives opposed workplace safety regulation, Americans won.
Conservatives opposed unemployment insurance, Americans won.
Conservatives opposed workers compensation, Americans won.
Conservatives opposed Social Security, Americans won.
Conservatives opposed Medicare, Americans won.
Conservatives opposed the Affordable Care Act, Americans won.

There is no doubt that Americans fare much better economically and socially when Democrats are elected. This truth is repeated time and time again.

As always, thank you for your attention.

Al Capurso
Gaines