Letter To The Editor

In response to The Spectrum's editorial "Lack of Selection Hinders Democratic Process," (Oct. 30) I would like to explain the truth about the upcoming election.

First of all, a lack of selection implies just that, a lack of selection. If my name did not appear on the ballot, I am afraid that the Democratic Party would not be represented, and the incumbent Mary Lou Rath would run unopposed, which indeed hinders the democratic process.

In response to the implication that I am merely a "one-issue candidate," I would first respond that higher education is an extremely important issue to all of us. I would also like to state that my stance on many other issues was unfortunately never publicized. I will bet that not too many people are currently aware that the incumbent, Mrs. Rath, is planning on retiring soon after being re-elected, thus costing her constituents over a quarter of a million dollars since special term elections will undoubtedly need to be held. This, of course, could have been prevented, had she been more honest with her constituents. Also many are unaware that our incumbent, Mrs. Rath, went behind closed doors to create a new Republican-held 62nd State Senate seat in the center of Brooklyn. I ask you to find anyone who would go on record to state, "We need more state senators."

At the same time Mrs. Rath supported the creation of a new state Senate seat, which in turn will cost the state over a million dollars of taxpayer money, she also aided in the recent redistricting process, which in turn led to Western New York losing a congressional seat.

The notion that the democratic process is hurt by a seemingly under qualified candidate taking the place of no candidate is absolutely absurd, and in fact, supports the basic ideals that our democracy was founded on. If the author had so much concern, he or she should have suggested a candidate or made a call to arms several months ago, rather than a week before the election.

In actuality, my candidacy is not in any way hindering the democratic process, it is clearly strengthening it. I encourage the reader to exercise the right to vote in the upcoming election because voting is the democratic process.