SOME THOUGHTS ON A VITAL "MID-TERM ELECTION"

SOME THOUGHTS ON A VITAL "MID_TERM ELECTION".

The 2006 mid-term elections are among the most critical in the history of our state and nation. The post 9-11 world is a dangerous place. Homeland security, public safety, emergency/disaster preparedness are the transcendent issues of the day. All other concerns pale in significance. Our state and nation are deeply divided by extreme partisanship  and racial rancour. We face enemies ,overseas, and within, who seek to destroy us and our way of life. This is no time for politics as usual. It is a time that demands extraordinary leadership and an informed electorate.

The political pundits are predicting a sweep by Democrats in New York State and Congress. The public will be in extreme danger during the transition in political power, for a year or more. This is a time when the foreign terrorists and their domestic allies are likely to launch devestating simultaneous terror attacks that could cripple our state and nation.

When the dust of election 2006 settles, George W Bush will still be the President. We will still be in Iraq, Afghanistan and Korea. The border will still not be secure. Urban crime and illegal immigration will still be among the priority domestic issues.

The political officeholders, and public, will have to set aside political partisanship, and unite to find solutions to the grave international and domestic problems that threaten our very survival.

A best election result would be for the Republicans to retain control of the state and U S Senate; for Democrats to be elected Governor and Lt Governor and Republicans as Comptoller and Attorney General in New York State. This would provide some checks and balances in government and require that both political parties cooperate for the public good.

America has no other choice than to use it's military might to defeat terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan, and to neuter the nuclear capabilities of Iran and Korea.

On the homefront, we must secure our national borders and protect our citizens from foreign and domestic terrorists and violent malcontents who make us unsafe in our homes, in our schools and work places, and on our streets.

Without international peace and stability and without law and order at home, we have no future.

Either we stand united, or we fall divided. Every New Yorker and every American has a stake in the outcome, and a role to play.

It all begins with casting informed ballots on November 7, 2006. What the public decides with regard to the contests for federal and state public offices, this election, will surely reveal insights into whether or not our political system will survive, and whether or not the public has the ability to rise above all the media hype and partisanship, and make the correct choices. This is particularly true in two particular races: state comptroller and Member of Congress from the 20th District.

We shall find out later today. May God Bless America, keep our troops safe overseas and our citizens safe here at home.

                                                                                            Joe Sullivan