Reader’s Write: Democrats’ fixes often make things worse

The Island Now

Warning: The following article contains adult language, opposing viewpoints and numerous multi-syllable words, all of which may  confuse and anger some of your liberal readers. Therefore, the author suggests that only progressives who have successfully completed an anger management course, should attempt reading this.

Thank you and good luck.

The Great Neck News reported last week that many of our younger residents, ages 25-34, are leaving Long Island in droves. Kings Point lost 58 percent of these young adults. Oyster Bay lost 51 percent, Great Neck lost 21 percent, Smithtown – 33 percent! It’s a stampede! 

Why? Community Housing Innovations, a left-wing, low-income, advocacy group, attributes this flight, to the lack of affordable housing. That’s it ? 

Why didn’t I think of that one first? So simple! Just give someone a free or subsidized home, preferably in an affluent area, and presto, all their problems (and ours) will be over.

But not so fast. So many left-wing ideologues still can not accept the fact that high taxes and the 7 percent unemployment rate, are the primary reasons that so many young residents are leaving Long Island. 

A qualified workforce and a good paying, full time job, will stimulate the private sector into building the appropriate housing.

When well-intentioned Democrats try to fix one problem, frequently, they seem to screw up something else. 

For instance, in order to improve New York City’s failing public school system, Mayor de Blasio is closing their eminently successful, charter schools. Only a left wing, socialist could rationalize that one. 

Giving someone a subsidized home and then expecting them to be able to afford living there, will just produce a myriad of other problems. Lattes still cost 4 dollars.

1 – living amongst so many liberals  (I lived in Great Neck for 30 years !!) , I am sure that this affordable housing program will include homes situated even in our most high end towns. 

Every progressive I know, believes that even the top 1 percenters will benefit from these remarkable programs. I can’t wait to see the expression on those “lucky” East Hampton liberals, when they wake up one morning and find an affordable housing unit being built right next-door to their beach-front mansion! Since it is important that these new residents fit in, I  am sure that a  swimming pool and tennis court will be included.

2 – Its been my experience that many people don’t appreciate their government welfare, as compared to those who had to work for it. 

So, I wonder if the proponents of  affordable housing would agree to have these new residents do some community service in exchange for their rent reduction? Three hours a week would be more than enough time  to demonstrate their gratitude to the community who made their new lifestyle possible.

3 – I feel that if any subsidized resident is involved in any drug or criminal behavior, they should not continue to receive our government’s help. 

But, before you contact the ACLU, take a deep breath and try and think how you would feel if crimes were committed next door to your home. 

So, don’t get defensive at my politically-insensitive statement. I know that all subsidized homeowners are not criminals. But if anyone wants to use my taxpayer dollars, it’s only fair that if they flunk a drug test or get in trouble with the law, they should be evicted.

4 – To further upset you, since your new housing will bring in less rentals each month ( we capitalists call that profit!!) would the construction unions agree to work below their usual pay scale?

And since these new homeowners will be paying less school taxes, would our teachers agree to lower their salary as well?  

And now, its time to show you that our elected officials have come up with other “great” ideas, to make it impossible for many of our kids to stay on Long Island.

1 – Did you hear how the Roslyn Water District is going to solve their contaminated drinking water problem? 

Instead of finding the source of the contaminants, they want to spend $2 million-3 million to filter the drinking water. And while they are at it, they are going to do some other “modest” improvements, at a cost of an additional  $20 million! 

But wait a minute . How will they pay for it? They won’t! They will just ask the Town of  North Hempstead to issue a bond for them. 

Almost $22 million. 

North Hempstead never wastes an opportunity to incur some more debt.  Guess who pays the principle and interest on this bond issue? You got it!  

Up go the water taxes of every homeowner in the Roslyn Water District, including those struggling young homeowners we were talking about. Instead of “saving for a rainy day”, our board is borrowing, “for a rainy day”.

2 – The Long Island Power Authority just found out, that they must come up with $216.4 million dollars, to settle a “pension dispute” with their employees. What they mean to say,  is that “we” are settling “their” pension dispute ! Do you believe that? Again, the cost will be passed on to every home owner on Long  Island, in the form of higher electric bills. Another nail in the coffin of our young homeowners.

3 – The Glen Cove City Council has a problem. Or should I say, the Glen Cove taxpayers have a problem! 

It  seems that eight of their employees have recently retired, resigned or died. People do get older. Employees do leave. 

Glen Cove informed all their “lucky” remaining residents, that these eight employees, even the deceased ones, are entitled to “termination pay.” 

How much could that possibly be? Don’t they have funds set aside for situations like that? Don’t forget, there are only 8 of them. 

Please sit down! These eight town employees are contractually owed $900,000! 

Must I repeat that? $900,000 !! It certainly is not their fault. But don’t worry, there is a plan. 

Glen Cove is going to do what every Long Island municipality does best: borrow the money ! 

Way to go Glen Cove! Just pass the bill on to all those young homeowners again. 

That’s not sound financial planning. It’s just chutzpah ! (If you don’t know what that means, ask any of your Jewish friends.)

The only tax that our politicians, both Republican and Democrat, haven’t thought of yet, is a Long Island income tax!

Just give them time.

Dr. Stephen Morris DDS

North Hills

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