Here’s what we’ve been up to

To the editor:

(re: “Where was machine last year?” Feb. 2)

Just like most people, I’m sick and tired of the lies and vitriol from both political extremes. 

But most especially, I’m sick of the lies coming from other Democrats. Instead of trying to defeat dangerous Republicans who want to destroy our democracy, some so-called Democrats are acting like extremist Republicans by lying and distorting the truth. 

Instead of trying to unite our party so that we can elect progressive Democrats, some are wasting their time venomously attacking us.

Case in point, a recent letter to the editor from Adam Stoler lied about the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club vis-à-vis our involvement in electing Democrats in the last election. Contrary to his statements, we worked hard to reelect Gov. Kathy Hochul, and are mighty glad we did. Her race was closer than we expected.

In addition, some of our members traveled to Pennsylvania to help elect U.S. Sen. John Fetterman in that critically important race. We also spent weeks doing phone banking, letter- and card-writing, and street campaigning.

The Ben Franklin Club is well-known throughout the Bronx and all of New York City for our activities on behalf of excellent, well-qualified Democratic candidates. We turn out the vote and get things done. 

Mr. Stoler claimed the Unity Democratic Club sent a few people to help U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan. That’s good. We’re glad they did, but that appears to be the extent of their activity. The community knows what the Ben Franklin Club does. They see us. They hear us. They engage with us.

Furthermore, Mr. Stoler pejoratively notes that some of our elected representatives traveled to Israel right before the election. Really? They were doing their jobs, what they were elected to do: government work. They took comfort in knowing that Ben Franklin Club members were doing everything possible to elect our candidates. It has and always will be what we do.

As a member of the Ben Franklin Club for the last 40 years, I am proud to be part of a political cub that has supported and helped elect progressive Democrats. I will continue to point out lies and distortions. And I will continue to work to defeat any candidate who engages in that kind of vitriol.

Our democracy — our integrity as a nation — depends on it.

Helen Morik