Letters

It is my hope that when you cast your votes for the upcoming election that you take into consideration the future of our democracy, our country and our lives. I hope, regardless of your party affiliation, that you vote for John Avlon in District 1’s congressional election.

For the past six years, I have listened to the messages coming from the Republican Party. They have been divisive, hateful, racist, untruthful and tend to incite acts of violence. They are anti-education, anti-climate change initiatives, anti-immigration, anti-journalists and honest news reporting, anti-LGBTQ+, anti-gun-control legislation, against the separation of church and state, etc. I have no idea what they are for. They have banned abortions, which have put girls’ and women’s lives in danger. They are banning books. They don’t want our children to learn the facts of history.

Robert F. Kennedy once said, “There are people in every time and every land who want to stop history in its tracks. They fear the future, mistrust the present, and invoke the security of a comfortable past which, in fact, never existed.”

The Republicans are forcing their religious beliefs on others. They seem to support dictators and want a fascist government. They have incited an insurrection and attempted a coup. They act as if they can do or say anything, as they have not had any consequences for their actions. They have wreaked havoc.

I am 70 years old and have never thought something like this would be happening in the United States.

Before Donald Trump came into power, I wasn’t so concerned about whether a Democrat or Republican was in power. It didn’t seem to impact my life one way or another. The main difference was about the amount of government involvement, so I had thought. The Republican Party that we once knew is no longer with us. I feel compelled to speak out.

Regarding the upcoming elections, it is essential that we choose candidates who share our values.

The Republican candidate does not even live in the district that he currently serves. He pledged to move into the district but has not. He has pledged to reverse the Republican-led elimination of New York’s State and local tax exemption. This will never happen under Republican leadership because of the punitive nature of a vengeful presidential candidate who is bent on punishing blue states that rejected him.

Please give John Avlon an opportunity to succeed at improving our government. We must not lose faith in our democratic system. All that needs to be done will take sacrifices, changes and time. Please vote as if our lives depend on it, because they really do. Thanks for your consideration.

Mark Bernardo

Westhampton Beach