To the Editor:
In the August 12 edition of “Between The Lines” by your veteran columnist, Mr. Al Sullivan, has expressed that our Independent ticket for State Assembly of Anthony Zanowic and myself, Alejandro Rodriguez, could possibly be a secret coordinated effort to assist the Democratic ticket by taking votes away from the Republican ticket. This could not be further from the truth. Honestly, our aim is to win both seats in the 31st District by taking as many votes away from both opposing parties.
To be fair to Mr. Sullivan, I am sure cowardly tactics like that mentioned above have been implemented by our so-called leaders in elections in many levels of government. Nowadays, can anyone really tell the difference between the elected officials of the Democrats and Republicans? Both parties have lost direction, purpose, and have evolved into the same political machine while delivering their own specialized spin on issues. This spin, which the residents of the 31st District have come to recognize and despise, is only meant to disguise the fact that they want to lead with half truths, fear, and opacity, all in hopes of keeping their political machine in power. So we can ensure growth and fight complacency. We should all welcome many voices and ideas into the political arena and elections. An election without a varying choice of representation does not an election make.
A factor that played in our decision to run for State Assembly is our dissatisfaction with the quality of leadership which has been seen at all levels of government. We were once part of a society and political system that would lead by inspiring and educating while promoting personal choice and freedom. However, our modern-day politics have evolved into a demagogy that no longer creates an atmosphere of opportunity and progress with its over regulation that stifle incentive and vision.
Our leaders want to foster a society that is content with complacency and ignorance, rather than strive for lofty goals and major advancements. The political machine, uncaring for those not part of the machine, has methodically been stripping away our individuality by shaming us into conforming to what they believe to be higher moral compass. One such example is Common Core, our federal government’s pathetic attempt to pressure our state’s education department to fall in and teach or face the loss of federal money. This is simply another example of governing by yielding fear and punishment. The Zanowic and Rodriguez Independent ticket will fight to end Common Core and give the power of deciding how to educate our children to our teachers who know better.
Another example of lack of leadership that plagues some politicians is their willingness to entertain the legalization of drugs. Instead of aspiring to educate our youth on its dangers, promote self esteem and personal health they would settle for lowering standards and the number of arrests and so superficially inflate their own political track records. Their answer is to simply place another sales tax on the drug problem. This would only give government more control and money while deflecting from the real problem.
Our Independent ticket will see the actions that can be taken to put a major dent into the drug epidemic by petitioning the state government to help and give more aid to local police forces to rid the 31st District of the drug problems affecting our quality of life.
If you are tired of the stagnant conditions, ever increasing property taxes and politics-as-usual mentality, the time is now. The time is now to make your voice heard and make an informed vote. The time is now to give others outside of the political stronghold a chance to serve you, the constituents of the 31st District, and not keep the status quo. The time is now to vote Independently for Zanowic and Rodriguez for State Assembly on Tuesday, Nov., 3.
ALEJANDRO RODRIGUEZ
Candidate for State Assembly, 31st District