Sound Off

Weighing in on the Congressional deficit committee”™s failure to act:

“In times like these, voters naturally look to their own representatives in Congress ”¦ who we elected to serve (our) interests. Whether on the right or left, however, most local representatives seem more interested in towing the party line than in working toward real solutions for the people in their districts, many of whom are suffering as a result of Washington”™s inaction and ineptitude.

“The sad truth is, this is the case across the board. You can go down the line ticking off the names of representatives from our area and few have stepped up to take responsibility for the situation or to offer a workable solution. If this was a business, they would have either been forced to resign or fired long ago. In politics today, they will try to keep their heads down and hope voters in their districts forget by the time the next election comes around.”

”“ Jeanne Zaino, professor of political science at Iona College in New Rochelle and interim dean of its School of Arts and Science

 

“Congress is a joke. Today there is absolutely no respect for those who were elected to represent us in the House and Senate. ”¦the public sees Congress as fools because, while they were elected to address and solve the problems besetting our nation, including a 9 percent unemployment rate, (they) appear far more interested in party politics and re-election. There appears to be no major effort to rise above party affiliation and responsibly address the nation”™s problems and save the Republic.

“I don”™t know of a single figure in government, from the President on down, who is overwhelmingly respected. Congress is now viewed favorably by only 9 percent of the public ”¦Â No one expects universal respect, but that is a dangerously low number.”

”“     Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch

 

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