Politics -- People Power!

I live in New York, a liberal state, and in my younger years I was about as far left as anyone could be. However, it’s interesting how differently we view the world at different times of our lives.
 
The ninth district in New York, a Democratic stronghold, last week voted into office a Republican Congressman for the first very time since 1920. Not only is Bob Turner a Republican, but he is Christian; his opponent, David Weprin, is a Democrat and a Jew, and the Ninth District has a high concentration of Jewish people. Of course, this is former Representative Anthony Weiner’s district. Anthony Weiner was yet another Congressman whose questionable personal behavior forced him to resign.
 
So now the pundits are busy trying to decide just why this has happened. Could it be that voters in the district were disgusted with Congressman Weiner, a Democrat, and chose to send a message to him and others who would violate the trust that is placed in them when they are elected? Is it simply that people are just very unhappy with President Obama and were sending him a message? David Weprin claimed the poll was a referendum on the president, rather than a reflection on his own ability as a candidate and as a potential congressman. However, if these voters are unhappy with President Obama, exactly why are they unhappy? Are they unhappy over the fact that their children are graduating college and can’t find jobs? Perhaps these voters are out of work themselves. Are they unhappy because they believe President Obama has held policies that are hurting Israel? Could it be the fact that their retirement funds are going in the wrong direction? Perhaps it’s all of the above, but it’s not easy to figure out.
 
I suppose the big question is, what will our friends in the White House do at this point? Have they heard the message? We can wait and see what they choose to do, or we can be pro-active and let those in power know what we think they ought to do. We’ve been down difficult roads before, but this is America and I have complete faith that we will be turning the corner in the near future. As long as we have the ability to vote people in and out of office, and as long as we have telephones, e-mail and stationery and postage to allow us to let those who represent us know what we think, it is within our power to make the changes we believe are necessary.
 
I would like to remind everyone that TOS50.com will have a table at the Over 50 Fair at the Melville Marriott on Sunday, September 25th. If you purchase tickets to the fair in advance, discount tickets are available for friends of TOS50.com. Just go to the Over 50 Fair website: http://www.over50fair.com/Tickets_c_14.html Use the coupon code TOS50 and you will receive two tickets for the price of one. To learn more about the Fair check out our video at: http://tos50.com/video/over-50-fair. The Melville Marriott is located at 1350 Walt Whitman Road, in Melville, Long Island.
 
Please remember to check out all of the great merchandise in our E-store at: http://tos50.myshopify.com/. Have a great week.