Blog

October 29, 2018

Long Island Chapter Forum on the Mid Term Elections A Success

Congressman Suozzi (D) CD # 3, and Long Island Chapter of NYSARA members at 10/26 Forum

On Friday October 26 the Long Island Chapter on NYSARA ran its fall symposium – Mid term election choices for Congress.  All candidates for Congressional Districts 1-4 (Long Island) were invited.  The forum was well attended. About 100 participants were there to witness Perry Gershon candidate for the 1st CD, Liuba Grechen Shirley candidate for the 2nd CD, Congressman Thomas R. Suozzi (D) and candidate Dan DeBono (R) from the 3rd CD and candidate Ameer Benno from the 4th CD. The candidates answered questions about Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, Health Care Directions, the environment, school funding and school choice and gun control.  This event gave the participants a greater insight into the choices in the four Congressional races on Long Island.

NOT in attendance were Congressman Lee Zeldin (R) CD # 1, Congressman Peter King (R) CD #2 and Congresswoman Kathleen Rice (D) CD # 4

A spirited discussion was held as well as the opportunity for reach candidate in attendance to give an opening and closing statement.  NYSARA President Barry A. Kaufmann opened the forum by stressing the importance of this mid term election for the country in general but even more so for seniors and the programs they value.  Kaufmann said ” this election puts Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid as well as affordable health care in the crosshairs.  If the current majorities continue, their intent is to alter and reduce the social safety net programs that Americans have come to depend on.  The tax cuts have raised the deficit by $1.5 trillion with 85% of benefits going to the top 1% and corporations meanwhile Majority Leader McConnell blames SS, Medicare and Medicaid for increasing that deficit.  We must speak forcefully through our votes.”