Tenney unfit to lead NY22

Nov. 6 is fast approaching and citizens of the 22nd Congressional District will be asked to make an important choice that will seriously affect the financial future of the citizens of this district and the nation as a whole.

The Trumps have come to support Ms. Tenney as well as the special interests sup- ported by those who want to cut Social Security and Medicare, and the Medicaid that helps support long term care for many seniors and those with disabilities to pay for the tax cut Ms. Tenney voted to support. The tax cut has created a deficit equal to the cost of these popular and necessary programs. Tenney will vote to cut these programs rather than increase taxes on the top 1 percent income earners. For this reason and those listed below, I cannot vote for Rep. Tenney.

Rep. Tenney voted in favor of the Concealed Reciprocity Act allowing any gun owner from a state that allows concealed carry to also have that privilege in New York or any other state that does not allow concealed carry. Only citizens of the state of New York should be allowed to determine if and when a person should be allowed the privilege of carrying a concealed weapon. Ms. Tenney should know this yet she voted with the gun lobby.

Rep. Tenney voted to support the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, which will increase your healthcare costs by almost 30 percent, eliminate protections forcing insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions, create a tiered healthcare market that will increase costs to seniors, and allow insurance companies to create policies that are less expensive but less expansive in what it will cover, leaving many vulnerable to exorbitant costs, mostly young subscribers, due to accidents, unplanned health emergencies, etc. Health insurance is the #No. 1 concern of Americans, yet Ms. Tenney supported a repeal.

Rep. Tenney expressed support for separating children from their parents’ seeking asylum in the United States. (Expressing support for ICE (2018 HR roll call h337).) This policy is inhumane and runs contrary to everything we stand for as a nation. Look to your family history and tell me you can’t find a story of someone who looked to this nation as a haven for freedom and opportunity. To take a child from their mother or father because they are escaping violence in their home country is just reprehensible.

This district is a politically, socially, ethnically and economically diverse district and why we need someone who understands and appreciates the need for compromise. It is why former Rep. Hanna supports Anthony Brindisi and so do I. I didn’t always agree with Rep. Hanna on issues, but he listened and was an independent voice in Washington, which this diverse district needs. I cannot vote for Rep. Tenney. She is not willing to compromise. If you care about your retirement, healthcare, general environment, I encourage you to support Anthony Brindisi.

Maria Erdo, Sherrill