Taking Back Our Country

Something truly unprecedented has happened. A candidate that I supported has won an election. I’m referring to John Hall here in New York’s 19th congressional district. As a volunteer in the campaign I feel especially gratified that the lower Hudson valley will at long last send a Democrat to represent us in Washington. When I wrote the following letter (which was published in the Gannett Westchester-Rockland newspapers in September 2005) this all seemed like a distant hope:

To the Editor: With over three years left in President Bush’s term, the realization is growing among Americans that our country is in real peril. The Federal response to the hurricane Katrina disaster has finally driven home the reality that this administration is incompetent. The Bush White House has staffed critical positions with inexperienced political hacks and used the tragedy to give lucrative, no-bid contracts to its friends. The administration’s failures with Katrina are belatedly shining a light on the failures in Iraq. And with budget deficits as far as the eye can see, the administration has mortgaged our future and saddled our children and grandchildren with a crushing burden. We finally understand that just because George Bush says everything is fine does not mean everything is fine. So the question must be posed, what can be done about this mess? One area where the American people have a direct say is in electing the congress. With both houses in Republican control, the Bush administration has been able push through its divisive agenda and get away without having its long list of failures come under meaningful congressional scrutiny. The 2006 congressional elections are a little over a year away. We need to send to Washington a congress that will finally take the President to task. No house or senate seat should be taken for granted as it has in the past. Here in the lower Hudson Valley we need to rethink sending an apologist for George Bush back to the Capitol. I’m referring to Sue Kelly who represents New York’s 19th congressional district. I do not believe there are no Democrats who can make a serious challenge to Ms. Kelly. What about a proven vote-getter and effective administrator like the Supervisor of the Town of Cortlandt, Linda Puglisi? I realize that our district leans toward the Republicans but these are not ordinary times – the nation’s future depends on wresting control away from our incompetent leaders. The 19th district does not have to remain in Republican hands. William Kellner, September 26, 2005

Photo: Bill Clinton endorsing John Hall, October 30, 20006