The political discourse in America hit a new low with the 2016 Presidential election.
It seems anything goes nowadays, as long as it pushes a candidate to the winner’s circle on Election Day.
A recent mail piece, pedaling fear and racism, proudly paid for by the New York Republican State Committee, and approved by Republican Nassau County Executive Candidate Jack Martins, continues in the same vein.
It’s a common political strategy: To avoid giving credence to an opponent’s political attack, never repeat their message. That’s why Democrats have ignored the rhetoric used against them.
However, I must repeat some of it here, because it’s time to expose the Republican Party’s messaging for what it is, vile and destructive.
The fear-mongering tactics about “bad hombres,” that helped propel Donald Trump to the White House, are now being used locally.
Nassau residents just received a mail piece that shows what are supposed to be three sinister, heavily tattooed MS-13 gang members, with the caption “Laura Curran will roll out the welcome mat for violent gangs like MS-13!…Laura Curran: She’s MS-13’s choice for County Executive. She shouldn’t be yours.”
This is disgusting, offensive, racist, garbage that must not be tolerated.
Just about every race and religion has been attacked throughout U.S. history.
This year “illegal” Hispanics are being vilified.
Deporting children and building walls to keep “true” Americans safe from Hispanics is the Republican mantra not only on Long Island but throughout the land.
That’s what makes this horrible MS-13 mail piece so scary. The truth doesn’t matter. Connect Curran to Hispanic gang members and victory will be ensured.
Whenever I speak publicly where race or religion is an issue, I ask the audience, “Please raise your hand if you have one grandparent who is an immigrant.” Just about every hand goes up, as would the hand of first generation American immigrant of Portuguese descent Jack “Joaquim” Martins.
We are all descendants of immigrants in this country, unless of course your family is First (Native) American. Somewhere along the way, Martins and the Republican Party have forgotten that. Laura Curran has not.
Please join me in supporting Laura Curran for Nassau County Executive. Curran doesn’t use hate and racism to win votes. Laura Curran is a good soul, with a solid resume, who will always put Nassau residents first.
