Sanders offers better world relations

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has the qualities and experience to lead the U.S. in the direction of economic reform and world peace.

Bernie has consistent and clearly defined principles, and a vision and strategy for the future. His message is resonating with the American people. Over many years in Congress, Bernie Sanders has voted consistently against U.S. military intervention. His vote against the Iraq war is but one example. The Iraq war in 2003 was the foundational event into the disintegration of the Middle East.

While in Congress, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was a chief proponent of and voted for the Iraq war. During her tenure as secretary of state, Clinton’s focus was not on developing peaceful relations through negotiation and diplomacy. Instead, she backed right-wing coups, (i.e. “regime change”) destroying, for example, the peaceful countries of Libya and Honduras, both of which had popular leaders, leaving behind chaos and a life of grave danger for the citizens.

Clinton’s actions mimicked the neoconservative agenda: U.S. exceptionalism and world dominance, “regime change” in secular countries, a huge military budget and a focus on Iran and Russia as the ultimate enemies. In fact, Robert Kagan, chief neocon theorist, recently endorsed Clinton for president.

In issues of war and peace, Bernie Sanders’ record is a history of commitment to negotiation and diplomacy with other nations, while Hillary Clinton’s record is one of military intervention and aggression.

For world peace, vote for Bernie Sanders in the New York Democratic primary Tuesday, April 19.

Pat Jackson

Woodstock

Resources available for senior population

I was heartened to the Poughkeepsie Journal’s recent article (“Take steps now to age safely in your home,” April 8).

It is an important issue here in the Hudson Valley and nationally and needs to be discussed often. It is a gain for both the community and the individual if we can help our increasingly aging population to remain “healthy and active” in their own homes. While the article focused mostly on adapting people’s dwellings to their age-related needs, it may be more important to focus on people’s social and service needs.

This is just what several nonprofit “aging in place” groups in Dutchess County, such as Hudson Valley Home Matters (HVHM) and Rhinebeck at Home do. We provide rides, social activities, small home repairs, shopping and more to our Dutchess County residents. We are an important element in creating the county-wide network needed to support our growing senior population.

To learn more about our services or becoming a volunteer, contact HVHM by visiting our website at www.hvhomematters.org or by phone, 845-452-4846.

Paul S. Hirsch

Board President

Hudson Valley Home Matters

Keeping community clean is a team effort

This letter was written on behalf of the New Hamburg Neighborhood Association.

Recently, New Hamburg residents were out in force cleaning the roadsides leading into and throughout New Hamburg.

We picked up lots of roadside debris obviously thrown from car windows. We do the cleanup every spring to keep our home looking good and, also, to make it welcoming to all coming to the river and the train station. We hope those passing through will be courteous in disposing of their trash.

We coordinate with the Town of Poughkeepsie and thank the highway department for picking up the trash we bagged — along with old campaign signs!

We also thank the town for picking up brush we cleared from the New Hamburg Metro-North station.

Working together benefits everyone.

Susan Barbarisi

Poughkeepsie

Write a letter to the editor

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