As many of my readers know, I have often praised Suffolk County Executive, Steve Levy in upholding the rule of law when it comes to his refusal to build a hiring hall for illegal aliens.
In his refusal to use county resources namely tax-payer money, Albany lawmakers are seeking to punish not only him, but the citizens of Suffolk County, NY by withholding $320 million dollars in sales-tax revenue. I have said to these Albany lawmakers that this money is ours and we want it to spend for the good of all Suffolk County residents.
While I have been tagged a racist by some for my stance against illegal immigration, nothing can be farther from the truth. I am simply looking for fairness for all Americans and upholding the rule of law. My detractors have often screamed for the rule of law to be applied to the Bush administration, but when it comes to enforcing our immigration laws, many are mute if they are proponents of open borders. That is hypocritical if you ask me.
But, getting back to a simple observation as I traveled to San Francisco, California, their mass transportation system namely buses are far superior to Suffolk County, NY. You would think that this state, California which is the land of the car wouldn’t, but it is something that I marveled at.
Their bus system runs on a regular basis and yes on Sundays. In Suffolk County, NY the bus system is pathetic to say the least. They do not operate on Sundays and people do work and shop on those days. In the San Francisco area, their buses do operate on Sundays transporting riders effectively from place to place. As I sat at a bus stop in Mill Valley where I traveled into the city, I wondered; why can’t the county I live in have such a wonderful bus transportation system? It takes tax money to update and better mass transportation.
I then thought of that $320 million dollars that Albany wants to withhold from county residents as a punishment for Steve Levy’s stance, and it angered me. This money could be used to better our bus system county-wide. Is it wrong of me as a taxpaying American citizen to ask for a better way of getting place-to-place?
Due to this failed bus system in Suffolk County, NY many like me who do not drive for medical reasons have to rely on cabs which can be expensive. At times, there are not enough drivers and one has to also wait for a long time to either shop, to work, or to make a doctor’s appointment. I once waited at one of our bus stops and waited for over three hours and no bus came. You are probably wondering why I waited that long, it was to see if I could get around by bus. As I waited for that bus in Mill Valley, California, the bus came within minutes of me waiting. As it did, I thought I was in heaven.
Also the buses in the bay area are like mini-coach buses with soft comfortable seats compared to the buses we have grown used to here in Suffolk County which are anything but. So, while traveling to the city, the ride itself was relaxing. To those in the bay area that depend upon these buses to get them to work, what a nice way to start and end one’s day.
This country and its political leaders are all screaming to end our dependence on foreign oil and in my opinion; political leaders should be doing everything possible to update any failed mass transportation system. Do you hear me now, Governor Elliot Spitzer?
Also, there are many times in which I would just love to go to the mall and see what new items are coming out, but due to the high cost of cabs, I cannot. I would love to take a bus to the Smith Haven Mall and to roam around and possibly purchase a few items. It amazed me that I could travel from Mill Valley to First and Mission in San Francisco and pay $1.50 fare. The trip was just as long if not longer than it is from my home to my nearest mall. If I were to take a cab it would cost me roughly $30 dollars to do so. As you will see that is cost prohibitive. I then wondered how workers at that mall if they do not drive get to work. Most likely they have to rely on others or sit for hours waiting for one of our buses. If they work on Sundays, they are flat out of luck if they have to rely on our bus system.
To these Albany lawmakers, who seek to punish Steve Levy and the citizens of this county, please remember that illegal aliens too need transportation if you are seeking to make their lives better. How about we give not only them, but citizens of this county a bus system that actually works? Then again, I am expecting too much from these lawmakers.
On an end note to these Albany, NY lawmakers, fork over our money now. It is ours and not yours!
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net