The Issue: Empire State Democrats’ efforts to gerrymander congressional districts in New York.
Concerning the congressional redistricting in New York: It’s hard to find a better example of how the Democratic Party has come to see itself above the law (“New York gerrymandering could make or break Democrats’ House hopes,” Dec. 17).
Their MO: When a particular law produces an outcome they do not like, they simply ignore it, then change the law to ensure it will only favor them in the future.
As in many other Democrat-run cities, if billions of dollars of debt, countless homeless encampments, out-of-control drug use and crime are not enough to make people realize their government is not working for them, then there really is nothing any of us can do other then offer our sympathy.
Joseph J. Grassi
Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Another day, another collective slap in the face from New York’s leftist Democrats.
Their repugnant condescension toward voters is supported by media myrmidons and proves that they continue to put party, politics and power before people.
New York’s descent into perdition continues.
James McCaffrey
Yonkers
In 1812, Massachusetts Gov. Elbridge Gerry signed a redistricting bill allowing his party to rig the drawing of district boundaries in their favor.
This practice is known as gerrymandering today.
Will Gov. Hochul, state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie give up their mission to create as many districts favorable to Democrats as possible?
Recent statistics from the New York State Board of Elections show that Democrats have nothing to fear from an honest reapportionment.
Why not allow an impartial group to redraw district boundaries, to prevent one party from stacking the deck in its favor?
Larry Penner
Great Neck
Former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver created the template for political control of the courts when he orchestrated the appointment of his childhood pal Jonathan Lippman to the position of Chief Judge of New York.
This current gerrymandering initiative is much more sinister.
Charles T. Compton
The Bronx
The Issue: Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s new position on congestion pricing in Manhattan.
The only intelligent things Andrew Cuomo has said in years are his recent thoughts on congestion pricing (“Cuomo: Throw it in reverse on congestion pricing,” Dec. 18).
With the city in dire straits due to the migrant crisis, now is not the time to impose another tax on its citizens.
The MTA’s needs are way off base and there are many more issues that need immediate attention.
A more robust police force would be a start and would make the city safer.
Adding yet another string of fees for deliveries and services into Manhattan will not help the quality of life for those below 59th Street.
Regarding Cuomo, give credit where credit is due (but not a mayorship).
RM Ludemann
Bridgeport, Conn.
I hate to agree with Cuomo, but he is 100% correct.
Congestion pricing will do nothing but add more decay by keeping people away from our once-great city.
Why come to Manhattan?
There’s crime, garbage, homelessness and now the extra cost of congestion pricing.
Will the money from congestion pricing improve our mass transit system?
One might ask whether the New York State lottery has improved our education system.
As far as I can tell, it hasn’t.
John Avelli
Brooklyn
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