Editorial: Thanks and keep up the good work

Endorsements

Issue of Oct. 31, 2008 / 2 Cheshvan 5769

Fourth Congressional District

Hakarat hatov — gratitude — is an integral aspect of our lives. For the last 12 years, Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy has faithfully served our community. She has secured grants for Ohel and Kulanu, as well as passed legislation to improve healthcare and make Medicare more readily available to senior citizens. She has been a staunch pro-Israel voice in Congress. We believe Tuesday's election is a chance to show our hakarat hatov to Congresswoman McCarthy whom we endorse for re-election.

Her opponent, Jack Martins, has served Mineola well as mayor, but his campaign for Congress in the Fourth District unleashed a flood of negativity. Politics is a rough sport but we don't believe it has to be that rough.

His policies don't differ significantly from the incumbent and so his stand for "change" rings hollow and empty. Rather than discuss his own beliefs, Mr. Martins put sensationalism over sensibility, and name-calling over policy change — a brand of politics we can do without.

Ninth Senate District

The theme of hakarat hatov can certainly carry over to State Senator Dean Skelos who has served in the Senate since 1984, following two years in the Assembly. He has our support for re-election.

Among his many accomplishments, Senator Skelos has worked to protect children from predators, to ease the financial burden on private school parents and to bring millions of dollars to public schools in the district.

Democrat Roy Simon is personable and a published authority on ethics —so often lacking in politics. By his own description he is not particularly supportive of private school families, of which there are so many in the district, and in the Young Israel of West Hempstead, his membership in which he has taken pains to highlight.

We are certainly inclined to be supportive of political candidates from the Orthodox community, but Senator Skelos and many others have proved many times over that ethnic or religious affiliation is hardly a prime criterion.

Certainly now, with his recent elevation to majority leader, Senator Skelos is better positioned than ever to continue his excellent service.