Letters to the Rockville Centre Editor August 5, 2010

Time for bipartisanship and compromise

To the Editor:

The status of the American political system is at an all-time low. The Democratic Party is in charge of the White House and Congress. The Republicans have the right and indeed the obligation to support the ruling party when they agree, and to oppose them when they don't. Indeed, it is the strength of our democracy that no party becomes too powerful or influential. However, the present-day Republicans offer no solutions, only criticism and scorn.

The modern Republican Party is indeed the party of "no." Past Republican leaders like Fiorello LaGuardia, Jacob Javits, Nelson Rockefeller and Barry Goldwater would have no place in the Republican Party of 2010. They were men who accomplished much, stood for principle and displayed much conviction and honor. They realized that government could be a force for good and that it can often improve the lives of many Americans.

They and other leaders from our past would know that the slogan "We will lower your taxes" is not a policy and the promise to "get government off your backs" is not a solution.

It is time for the opposition party (whoever it is) to offer practical and thoughtful solutions and stop demonizing the people who have a different philosophy. Fear and blame must be replaced with true bipartisanship and compromise. The American people should not be satisfied with

anything less.

Joseph A. Haynor

Rockville Centre

Tell the MTA, 'Enough is enough'

To the Editor:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is continuing its long tradition of asking Long Islanders to solve its fiscal problems. We need to tell the Board of Directors at the MTA "enough is enough."

Because of last year's MTA bailout plan, which I opposed, LIRR riders will be asked to pay up to 9.4 percent more for tickets and pay higher fees for onboard transactions. The MTA is also looking to significantly shorten the time span for which certain LIRR tickets remain valid.

Once again, the MTA's solution is to ask Long Islanders to do more: pay higher costs, receive less services and be further inconvenienced.

Residents are already paying over $341 million a year more in taxes, fees and fare increases to support the MTA. These higher costs, all of which I opposed, include the horrific MTA payroll tax, which is an unfunded mandate on every Long Island business,

non-profit group, school district and

municipality.

The MTA has long been one of the most bloated bureaucracies in the country. Their record of financial mismanagement is legendary. We've paid enough for their never-ending fiscal problems. They need to do more to cut costs on the administrative level before asking riders to bail them out yet again.

The MTA Board of Directors will ultimately make the final decision on these fare hikes and service cuts. They need to hear from us. Residents can join me in telling the MTA Board of Directors "no" to the fare hike by signing the online petition on my website, Fuschillo.nysenate.gov.

Charles Fuschillo Jr.

State senator,

8th District