Why I support the Unity Democrats

To the editor:

Why I support the Unity Democrats:

• I like choosing a real representative like state Sen. Gustavo Rivera rather than having a New Jersey resident outsider forced on me.

• I like representatives who address local concerns in a timely manner. It shouldn’t take 32 years and someone being run over to put up a local traffic light.

Indeed, the late House Speaker Tip O’Neill said it best: All politics is local.

• I like that even though leaning progressive, Unity Democrats canvassed for moderate Democrats in tough congressional swing districts upstate. The local Democrats — aka the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club brigade — were too busy on a junket to bother campaigning for fellow Democrats. Hence the name “Unity” not jetting off on a junket.

• I like to feel welcome, not intimidated. The Unity Dems welcome myself and others with open arms, new ideas, and a ‘‘can-do” attitude.

• I believe in neither strong-arming nor intimidating people running against you in a primary, as was done to me by two Ben Franklin Club senior officials last summer. It was truly scary and awful, not to say reprehensible.

• At my age (67) I don’t need to be rewarded with a patronage job to be encouraged to campaign or vote my convictions. I need people with good moral compasses to work with, though. The Unity Dems fill that need nicely.

• The sign of a healthy political climate is dissent — being able to tolerate and even encourage it, without fear and panic.

• If all I wanted to do was fall in lock step with those in charge, knee jerk, and keep in line, I’d join the no-morals Republican Party, (which I am told) helped fund some nasty ads against candidates running against the Democratic “regulars” in primaries.

Yes, I like and trust the Unity Democrats. I feel included, and also feel the club is inclusive of more of us in our community. Though I speak for myself alone here, in conversations, I have been noticing more and more people joining and expressing interest in a truly inclusive Democratic club: the Unity Democratic Club.

This is especially true when posited against an old line immovable group — aka the Ben Franklin Club brigade — one which seems more to fear loss of their power than anything else.

I welcome all those who think similarly to me to join me in supporting, and joining an inclusive, welcoming and thoughtful group of truly reform-minded Democrats: the Unity Democrats.

See you at our next meeting! 

Adam Stoler