Democrats are not perfect. But the wild west deregulation of the Reagan/Bush and Bush II years contributed. Yes, Clinton repealed Glass Steagal with lots of help from Congress. It clearly hurt the middle class and needs to be reinstated. Bipartisan proposals to do so have come up and have not been voted on. Why? The vast corruption by corporations. One thing the Republicans always do is support corporate interests, vehemently, at the expense of workers and American jobs. We need legislation to get the money out of campaigning so we can take back our government. I don't think any Republican is going to step forward to put that proposal. When I say businesses, I am not talking about the guy that owns the barber shop down the road. I am talking about Exxon, Halliburton, Raytheon, the 7 major insurance companies that control all healthcare in the country, big Pharma. Politicians need to be vetted, surely, we can agree on that. But the philosophy between Democrats and Republicans is so clearly different, and from where I sit, in the cheap seats, I will take my chances with Democrats at the polls. By the way, if you want to debate, that's fine. That's American and important to Democracy. But I did not insult you personally and say you were ignorant. All I said was, be careful that you are not voting against your own economic interests. After all, how will you be hurt if they tax billionaires to help people who are out of work through no fault of their own with food stamps and healthcare? Someone you personally know might be helped. Are you Warren Buffett? Even he wants to pay taxes to improve the wide inequality gap that has been developing for over 40 years since Reagan. View Comment

I can tell you that Orange county is fully in our newly redrawn district. We are no longer 19, but Congressional District 18-NY View Comment

The Republicans are the ones who dug the hole. The Democrats have actually stopped digging. Bush gave us two unfunded wars and tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. Unless you are a personally a billionaire, you receive no benefit from the failed trickle down policies and deregulation of the banks that Reagonomics gave us. However, if you get Medicare, Social Security or have a 40 hour work week, these are benefits that that Democrats implemented. By the way, I wish actually had a free enterprise system. What we have are a bunch of greedy multinational companies racing us all to the bottom with their endless greed. The Republicans support these corporations with their griping about taxes. The working class takes the "lower tax" bait, then the Republicans switch and give you policies that continue to erode the middle class. The vast amount of corporate money pouring into Republican candidate's campaigns tells us who they work for...and it is not us. View Comment

I have been working hard on Dr. Becker's campaign because I feel the most pressing issue we are facing as a society is healthcare, which is directly linked to jobs and the deficit. If our representative were medical doctor and neighbor who understands the needs of the community, has started businesses that have grown and employed people right here in the Hudson Valley and has served in elected office, we would all be better off. Dr. Becker knows the healthcare problem inside and out and could contribute to the debate with the true insights of a compassionate human being. In addition, he is deeply disturbed by the ongoing Republican attacks on women's health issues and wants to make sure we don't roll back progress. Before and during his service on Cortland's town board, he is also extremely involved with protecting our precious Hudson Valley environment. During his campaign he has met with people neglected by the government regarding their serious environmental concerns and pledged to help address their problems. As I talk to neighbors about Dr. Becker's campaign the reaction has been phenomenal. They are happy that he has reached out to people whose communities have been ignored by our current representative in Congress. I have also run into people that knew him as a doctor either as a patient or colleague and they enthusiastically believe he would provide great service to us if he were elected. That's why on June 26, I am supporting Dr. Richard Becker. I am happy to support him because it will lead toward a more responsive government for us all. View Comment

She will be pleased until she gets the bill. I got sick in Canada and submitted the bill to my insurer and they were in disbelief at how LOW it was. They kept insisting it was incomplete. It was not. I know many Canadians and they won't set foot in the US without a traveller's insurance plan for fear of a catastrophic healthcare bill from the US. View Comment

Thank heavens this failed. When it comes to Hayworth's voting scoreboard: Corporations 100- Workers 0 View Comment

Sorry Mr. Bolton is going through a health problem. Best wishes for a fast recovery. I hope that the process to replace him will be transparent and non-partisan. Maybe an interim appointee could be drawn from an experienced prior member who would not run in an election? This would prevent the appointee from having an incumbent advantage when the election time rolls around. Anyone else have suggestions on the best way to move forward? View Comment