Everyone is aware of the rightward tilt of the Times owners and editors, but the Sept. 12 editorial on “Doheny’s task” reached a new low. The message was that there is some kind of moral imperative for Matt Doheny to run a credible campaign.

As you note, it is clear to a large majority of north country residents, Democrats and Republicans, that Doheny is seeking election as a representative of his Wall Street cronies with few indications of interest in this district. “Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig.”

Fortunately, we have Bill Owens, an incumbent candidate who has demonstrated concern with representing the needs of his district.

Bill is more conservative than I would prefer, but so is this district. Working across the aisle, he has been effectively representing dairy farmers and apple growers; supports a $5 million estate tax exemption; worked to maximize commerce with Canada; supported improvements to our infrastructure, and, as a member of the Armed Services Committee, has worked hard to ensure Fort Drum’s continued role in our national defense.

Apparently the Times favors blind support of increased military expenditures without concern for their cost effectiveness. You criticize Rep. Owens’s call for more study of a new missile base. Yours is the kind of Republican thinking that has dug our economy into its present hole.

Apparently partisanship is more important to you than is effective representation. Shame on you.

Rev. Dave Weissbard

Canton

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