Campaign finance reform needed to make change

American democracy has been clouded by the Citizens United Supreme Court decision that has allowed for unlimited money to be given to political campaigns. This is in direct counter to existing campaign finance regulation that limits how much money is allowed to be given to a candidate. When I hear voters who complain about the feasibility of Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders’ policy plans, I always bring this subject up.

Our campaign finance system is directly related to all of the major issues in our country today.

For example, if you receive a million-dollar donation to a super PAC supporting you from a group of insurance-company executives, you could imagine that you might not be interested in supporting or voting for government provided health care. This is why campaign finance is connected to everything else. Many special interests are pushing back against any change that could be negative to its goals or bottom lines.

And this isn’t just a partisan issue. Special interests lobby and fund both Republicans and Democrats. Even Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has amassed a large following of conservatives who have acknowledged that our system of campaign finance is corrupt.

According to most polls, a majority of Americans believe money has too much influence in our political system. I urge all of you who are unsure of Sanders’ ability to get things done to reconsider his main argument — that unless we start gaining control over money in our elections, we will never achieve any meaningful change.

Mark Phillips Jr.

Pleasant Valley

Better options exist for ongoing Route 55 detour

I am writing regarding the temporary closure of Route 55 in the Town of Union Vale.

The closure is to take place from March 22 to July 25. There is a small bridge being repaired/rebuilt.

Although this work may be needed and the closure is necessary, I think there is a better route for the traffic detour. Traffic will be directed south on Route 82 and then turn east onto East Noxon Road and then follow back to Route 55. This detour is approximately 5.2 miles.

I understand that the residential roadways will not want large and commercial traffic driving on them daily, but I don’t see a reason why passenger vehicles and school buses, which already travel these residential roads, should have to take a 5.2-mile detour when they could take a 3.3.-mile detour by turning onto Wisseman Road, then onto South Parliman Road, and then back onto Route 55.

Living in Beekman and Union Vale already puts many driving miles to the trip when there is a shorter option. Also, many of the school buses to the high school and both Vail Farm Elementary and Union Vale middle schools will be affected by this detour, and will need to adjust their schedules or risk getting students to school late.

I think the town highway department or department of transportation should reconsider this detour route for passenger vehicles in the interest of saving time and mileage.

Jordan Scocozza

Beekman

Crime needs to be thwarted with mental health programming

I am writing to tell you my fear about the rising crime in our area.

I feel that the reason that there is a rise in crime rate is due to having less funding for mental-health providers and a lack of facilities in our area. Many of the crimes that have been occurring could have been prevented if there was a lot more help for people with mental disabilities.

I have heard from others that people report to the local mental-health facilities, but have been turned away due to the lack of beds. Since the economic crisis and the reduction in services, preventable crimes seem to be on the rise. There needs to be a push for Albany to increase funding.

Christina Cronk

Poughkeepsie

Republican gatherings have become rowdy events

This year’s Republican Big Carnival Tent where people gather, blow off steam, voice political views and enjoy the side shows has been an unusually rowdy and lewd affair.

So when Ringmaster Mitt issued that cry for help, “Hey Rube,” to calm the disturbance that had broken out near the beer tent, Republican carnies banded together to protect the “Grand Old Party” from an unhinged Donald Trump who had somehow unequivocally associated the “Party of Lincoln” with the KKK.

Trouble started when “Donald, Reptile Clown Boy” slithered into his stall in the side-show menagerie next to the Big Tent trailing an ooze of vulgarity, intolerance, bigotry, arrogance and stench of violence irresistible to assorted racists, neo Nazis, fascists and troglodytes including the former Grand Wizard himself.

Republican Ringmasters had not expected them in the tent. “Shocked. I’m shocked. Racism in our tent?” uttered Mitt.

“Wink and a nod. Wink and a nod. Know what I mean. Know what I mean.”

But the damage was done.

The GOP and its propaganda hate talk radio had discreetly seeded the wind for eight years encouraging virulent racially tinged opposition to President Obama, discrediting government, enabling gun violence, exploiting racial tensions, restricting minority voting and fomenting anti-immigrant and anti-Planned Parenthood hysteria. But David Duke was never in the plan.

Well “Clown Boy” knew exactly how to harvest the whirlwind. He stepped into the spotlight in the Center Ring and “carried on so, it almost killed the people and the ringmaster couldn’t do nothing.”

Brian Tervenski

Poughkeepsie