Wednesday June 7
Rep. Peter King's (R-Seaford) performance in Congress has been embarrassing enough over the years, but his mock indignation at the cuts to New York's share of homeland security money is truly breathtaking ["Anti-terror cuts," News, June 1]. He is the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. If his influence over the Department of Homeland Security and the Bush administration as a whole is so minuscule that he cannot prevent cuts to terror-prevention funds for the most at-risk state in the country, then what purpose is he serving in Congress, exactly?I cannot fathom how anyone can vote to re-elect King to Congress after the disgraceful actions of him and his party last week.
David Sugarman
Woodmere
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While you were busy publishing this letter from someone not even in King's district, you forgot to report on Mejias voting for the reappointment of Bobby Kumar to the board of the Nassau County Health Care Corp., which oversees the Nassau hospital system. This is the same guy who faked his own kidnapping and was chairman of the board when the hospital was being run into the ground. How is Mejias going to be good for the people of the 3rd Congressional District when he is making decisions based on political gains?
Nassau's new low
Democrats play politics with hospital
June 7, 2006
The vote of a Nassau County legislator can be bought very cheaply these days. In fact, the mere hint of future political support can get you a seat on the governing board of the Nassau University Medical Center.
Although the legislature appeared to have hit rock bottom earlier this year, on Monday it reached a new low in the art of putting self-interest above good government. That's when 12 members approved the unqualified Bobby Kumar, a last-minute change to a slate of four candidates. His credentials? Kumar was once chairman of the hospital's board - at a time when the institution was led to financial ruin. He also staged his own kidnapping in 2001.
So what got Kumar the job? A belief, supported by Democratic Party leader Jay Jacobs, that Kumar could deliver the Independence Party line to the Democrats in the next election.
Among Democrats, it is no surprise that the mercurial Lisanne Altmann would find solidarity with Kumar. And the votes of Joseph Scannell, David Denenberg and Diane Yatauro expose their real priorities. More disappointing were the votes of Jeff Toback and Kevan Abrahams, who profess genuine concern about the future of the hospital. Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs worked diligently to find four qualified nominees, only to allow that great effort to slip away by failing to use the procedural powers of her office to block Kumar's nomination. Only she and Craig Johnson had the guts to vote against him.
The Republican minority can't escape blame, either. While saying Kumar was unqualified, they nonetheless provided five votes to put him over the top, for the cheap thrill of letting the Democrats hoodwink the county.
Copyright 2006 Newsday Inc.
While I'm not defending the Kumar vote, I would like to point out that there are 19 members on the Nassau County legislature. 10 of those members are Democrats, 9 are Republicans.
The vote to confirm Kumar was 12-2. Not one Republican voted against Kumar.
Per 6/6/06 Newsday:
"By a vote of 12-2, Kumar was appointed to take the place of Jay L.T. Breakstone of Bellmore, a lawyer and former member of the Bellmore School District board who was just named to the Nassau County Health Care Corporation.
Republican Minority leader Peter Schmitt said he encouraged his members to vote for Kumar because the corporation needs to fill the vacancies on the 15-member board to move forward. Nevertheless, he called the action "the lunatics running the asylum."
As for the claim that Mejias voted for Kumar:
"Dave Mejias (D-North Massapequa) left before the vote."
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-lileg0606,0,302519.story?coll=ny-main-tabheads1
The same Bobby Kumar that has had Peter King over to his house for dinner. The same Bobby Kumar that has help raise 10's of thousands of $ for Peter King. Nassau Republicans and Democrats will cozy up with anyone that can give them money. The question is, Who is worse?
Who cares who gives your campaign money? There is a big difference between voting for and taking money from incompetence. And King hung out with Kumar way before the fake kidnapping. Plus, you guys kill King for only going against bush for political gains, but you don't kill Mejias for skipping a vote so not to take a politcal hit. At least King has the guts to vote.
Answer: King. Worse. Definitely.
I can only laugh when I read the ill-considered rants of people against Congressman King. Yes, Mejias could represent Mr. King's strongest challenger ever, and county legislators have a history (at least on Long Island) of pulling off Congressional upsets. I just wish people would take a more objective view of the very positive things that have been accomplished by Congressman King.
And, BTW. Congressman King Chairs the House Committee on Homeland Security...it is not a sub-committee. However, that Chairmanship alone does not translate into political clout.
Like he had the guts to skip out in the Terri Schiavo vote right?
King himself has sais his post as chairman would translate as alot of clout.
What has King done for the 3rd CD? Not much really. Nothing another Representative wouldn't have done. His main concern is what he can do for himself. It's all about his ego. As Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee he should have alot of clout. The type of clout that would help NYC get the money it needs to protect itself. Aren't you glad King "thanks god everyday that Bush is his President?"
King deserves to lose because of his arrogance alone.
I have my own concerns and disagreements with the Kumar situation, and that is unfortunately what politics is. But you know what - it is ONE situation. How many blunders and falsehoods have we seen from our supposed great reprehensive Mr. King??????? - That is when he is not writing those appalling angry letters to his constituents!!!!! Whoever talked about focusing on the positive, well, I will admit there was a time King seemed to stand up for what was right regardless of political party. But that went out the window with Bush in the White House. And again, you want hypocrisy???? How about coming out against the Dubai deal only to effectively kill inspection of cargo containers coming into our ports only weeks afterward? I guess his position as chairman made him strong and influential enough to do that????
Please, spare me the barbs about the Kumar vote. There is so much more at stake here. Look at ALL the facts. Look at what King stands for today. He obviously lost his way either for political expediency - or perhaps this is the real Peter King. And if this is the real Peter King, which I believe it is, its a very scary thought to give him another two year term.
Time for a change - Dave Mejias in November.
OK, Anonymous at 9:31 am, I'm with you -- Mejias in November. But, where the heck is this guy? Almost non existent media presence, no web site, no active fundraising that I can find . . . is he really running?
On another note, received a robo-call from 'Pete' King today -- you'll be happy to know that he's continuing to fight the anti-terror funds cuts (that he should have stopped before the even made it into the budget) as well as focusing on such vital, can't-wait-another-minute issues such as immigration. Meanwhile, his constituents continue to struggle with our young men & women being killed and maimed in Iraq, high gas prices, the bursting of the real estate bubble, and on, and on. He's clearly the water boy for the current administration -- squeezing the middle class out of existence.
I would like a list from all of you guys that tells me why Mejias would make a good Congressman. Tell me things that he has done which would make him effective. And I don't want to see any shots at King. Give me his record on important issues.
OK Anonymous at 6:48, but lets see a list of why King should remain our Congressman.
Will Mejias be traveling around the district with quasi-candidate Tom Suozzi?? The next time I see Mejias' name someone other than this retarded blog will be the first time. No wait, I did see his name in Newsday last week, oh yeah but that was because he was singled out for missing a vote. What a joke.
Still waiting for that list.
Congressman King has nearly $1.2 million in his war chest, It will take Dave Mejias 4 years to raise that much capital. He is going to get trounced.
Mejias was outspent by as much as 3 to 1 by Carman and Sabellico and still won each election. So don't go drawing conclusions - how much money is in a war chest is wishful thinking. Too many angry letters and too much hypocracy from King, too many people know better. Mejias has a real shot, deal with it.
Those reasons why Mejias will make a great congressman are coming fast and furious.
You just cant stand it cause you know your guy King stands a good chance of losing. Hey - what makes King a great congressman - his angry letters to his constituents???????
Want to know about David Mejias? Go to http://www.davemejias.com/.
It is amazing. I ask a simple question and I can't get a simple answer.
You got your answer. Can't you read? Why don't you go back and watch Fox News.
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