State Senate election is about deeper issues

The election for New York state senator is not about Darrel Aubertine or David Renzi. It is about control of the Senate and separation of powers. There is only a two-vote margin giving the Republicans control. What will happen if the Democrats gain control of the Senate? We will have a Democratic Assembly, a Democratic Senate and a Democratic governor.

Our state will then be controlled by New York City, and the teacher and public employee unions. Do the voters of this Senate district truly understand what this means?

Recently Gov. David Paterson called on all state agencies to cut spending to solve the budget deficit. This was a very courageous act on his part. Every single state agency opposed this request, and only a special session passed the cuts. We now face continuing deficits and less revenue from the Wall Street mess. Another special session has been called for after the election.

Here is what will happen if the Democrats are in total control: There will be massive tax increases to cover the deficits. There will be no attempts to control spending. All unionized government workers will demand large pay and benefits increases, and they will get them. School budgets will spiral out of control, as more unfunded mandates are imposed. The National Education Association will control all educational policy and spending in New York.

There will be substantial increases in all fees and licenses. Medicaid will continue to destroy local budgets, as no effort will be made to control the massive fraud that now costs billions of dollars every year. All the horrifying firearms control laws that have passed in the Assembly, but were blocked in the Senate, will now get a vote, with many sure to pass. This will include the banning and confiscation of many firearms, including semiautomatic rifles and pistols. This list is virtually endless.

Sen. Aubertine is a good man. I wish he were a Republican. But I simply cannot support a Democratic Senate and further destruction of our state into a socialist swamp. We are already the highest-taxed and -regulated state in the land.

Dave Renzi should stop attacking Sen. Aubertine and concentrate on what is really the main issue, Democratic control of the Senate. Time is running out for Dave Renzi, and for the future of New York.

Bart S. Bonner

Watertown