Letter to the Editor from U.S. Congressional Candidate Lee Zeldin

PATCHOGUE, NY (09/26/2008)(readMedia)-- In this time of economic uncertainty, we need leaders in Washington who are committed to protecting us.

This begs the question: Who's looking out for your interests? If, after all the panic on Wall Street over the last few weeks, you knew that execs from Merrill Lynch, Lehman Brothers and AIG had donated thousands of dollars to Tim Bishop's campaign, would it bother you?

More importantly, after his inaction throughout the crisis-voting to take a five week vacation immediately prior to the latest market volatility-would you be surprised that he receives this heavy funding from these troubled institutions?

I'm certainly not surprised.

Likewise, the New York Times wrote an eye-opening exposure of the apparent widespread abuse of the Long Island Railroad's retirement and disability payments. As the husband of a commuter and former commuter myself, I'm disturbed by the escalating costs of the LIRR. To suspect the LIRR of wasting a quarter trillion dollars in recent years on false claims is further concerning.

Incredibly, my opponent received tens of thousands of dollars from railroad unions and interest groups to help fill his bank account while the rest of us deal with these rising costs.

Now answer this: who is looking out for you?

A third concern I have comes from one of my opponent's liberal standard bearers, Joe Biden, who recently said that paying more in taxes was "patriotic." I've made no secret of my love for this country and my commitment to serving this country, but I would never describe the act of paying taxes-when we're already among America's most heavily taxed citizens-as patriotic.

The sad truth is in my opponent's bank account. We must ask ourselves if we can afford to continue to keep my opponent and his rich colleagues rolling in our hard-earned money.

Unlike my opponent, I will always keep Long Island's values at the forefront of my agenda. Unlike my opponent, I will not allow myself to become corrupted by Washington.

Bishop's STIDD Systems and Curtiss-Wright Corporation earmarks, as well as the recent proposal for the National Museum of the American People, further illustrate just how much special interest influence have driven "principles" out of my opponent's top priorities.

Since I began my campaign, I've promised to provide wallet security throughout the District. I hate tax hikes, and I hate when politicians do special favors for their biggest donors.

It is time for the truth to come out.

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Paid for by Lee Zeldin for Congress