Since FDR, Democrats historically have put the people first

In Anthony Vallillo’s diatribe, (Sept. 13) and his appeal to all who might be planning to vote for Democratic candidates, I offer a different view. Republicans always forget to tell you that taxpayer money was always supposed to be used to make American lives better. They do not tell you that our elected officials — especially Republicans — need to make large corporations, insurance companies, big Pharma, their lobbyists, etc., happy with their votes, or said people might not finance their next election. See how nicely he pats you on the head, if sometimes you need assistance from his government? ie: “they strip you of your dignity and dilute your motivation”. All the while telling you that if we would just stop helping you, you will all become outrageously self-sufficient.

Republicans need those taxpayer dollars to keep building battleships, keeping those defense contractors making maximum profits, just as Dick Cheney became rich because of the Iraq war, through Halliburton Industries. They need to cut funding for education, infrastructure, and all the things we need to improve our lives, so they can fulfill the dreams of the lobbyists, to whom they have sold their soul. Just follow the money, folks, and you will end up running into some Republicans, trying to make their rich friends richer.

Democrats, historically, beginning with FDR, have put the people first. Who brought our country out of the Great Depression, after the Gilded Age millionaires took over our economy? They are certainly not all altruistic souls, to be sure, but I’ll bank on them before I will bank on people who can only find Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid, health care and education as cost-cutting vehicles. This government was founded: Of the people, for the people, and by the people, as so beautifully noted in Abe Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Let’s vote in some progressives and get our country back, people! Enough of their insipid head-patting and shaming those who are often struggling just to keep food on the table, and a roof over their heads.

Patricia Garcia New Haven