Zeldin Critical of Bishop’s Latest Frank Mail Piece

MASTIC, NY (06/13/2008)(readMedia)-- The Republican candidate for New York’s First Congressional District today continued his commitment towards responsible government by highlighting his opponent’s wasteful ways.

“Thanks to my opponent’s free-spending governance, Americans have to foot the bill for his wasted postage fees,” said Army Veteran and Shirley resident Lee Zeldin, the GOP candidate for the Eastern Long Island district. “In 2006, my opponent abused this privilege to the tune of $131,979, ranking him among the top ten offenders in Congress. Does he lead in any areas that don’t reflect negatively?”

Zeldin’s opponent, Congressman Tim Bishop, recently issued a mass mailing to boast how he and his "New Direction" Democratic Congress has lowered gas prices.

“If you’re going to waste our money, don’t add insult to injury by misleading us,” said Zeldin. “Our ‘representative’ is so out of touch with the challenges faced by Eastern Long Islanders, that he claims Congress has lowered gas prices; since the ‘New Direction’ Congress seized power in 2007, the price of gas has risen 74.5%.”

Franked mail is a privilege extended to members of Congress that enables them to send mail at tax payer expense. The tradition extends back before the Union was formed—an era that notably did not yet have computers.

“In the most recent waste-of money mailer, Congressman Bishop failed to address responsible domestic oil exploration, a gas tax moratorium, out-of-control speculation impacting gas prices, the $80 billion dollar Iraqi oil surplus, or alternative energy such as wind and solar power—energy options of the future,” said Zeldin. “To boot, he should make better use of email which is free, just as effective, and better for the environment.” Zeldin has been circulating a gas price petition on his website at www.zeldin08.com to provide direction to the ‘New Direction’ Congress. Zeldin also wants to permanently extend the tax cuts of 2001 and 2003 and curb wasteful spending, such as Bishop's abuse of frank mailing privileges.

“Our campaign is made up of thousands of upset voters that want change in Washington. Meanwhile, Bishop continues to spend our change. As a member of Congress, I am looking forward to bragging about how taxpayers are spending their own hard earned taxpayer money,” said Zeldin. My opponent is forcing voters who don't support him to finance his reelection efforts. This is not responsible governance.”

-30-

Zeldin served as an aide to State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle. The Shirley resident studied at the University at Albany, graduated from Albany Law School, and earned his commission through Army ROTC. He was a paratrooper, prosecutor and magistrate with the 82nd Airborne Division and XVIII Airborne Corps. In the summer of 2006, he was a JAG attorney deployed to Iraq. He is currently an attorney at Raiser & Kenniff on Long Island.

For more information on Lee’s campaign please visit us at www.zeldin08.com

Paid for by Lee Zeldin for Congress