Congressmember Ackerman Speaks To Residents During Recent Visit

Congressmember Gary Ackerman returned to North Shore Towers on Friday, June 13 to address various issues brought up by residents, including energy plans, the Electoral College and the approval rate of the Congress.
Prior to the address, Ackerman, who was elected to Congress 25 years ago, described the residents of the Towers as a “sophisticated group” and said that they care a lot about the country.
“These are people that vote,” he said. “It’s the heaviest concentration of voters anywhere.”
The first issue that was brought up was getting rid of the Electoral College for electing the president and instead using the popular vote to do so. As a state with the third most congressmembers, Ackerman said that the Electoral College system works in favor of New York voters because it gives them more influence over national issues.
“From my vantage point, it works better for the State of New York to have the Electoral College because New York’s vote is much more influential and New York’s vote is important whether we’re democrats or republicans because politics is sometimes not just the politics of philosophy. It’s the politics of geography and in this country there are regional interests,” Ackerman said. “It would make more logical sense just to go with the solid majority of the country but, while there is this system, take advantage of it.”
Ackerman was also asked when the United States would adopt a definitive energy program. He said that energy is no longer a financial issue but is a national security issue. Ackerman said that, rather than drilling more, an alternative, renewable source of energy needs to be found. Although some research contracts have been given out, Ackerman said that not enough has been done.
Another resident spoke about the low approval rating of the president and then asked why the democratic Congress has an 18 percent approval rating. Ackerman said that it is a conceptual problem.
“When things aren’t going right and the president’s ratings are down, it doesn’t matter who is in Congress and what they’re doing,” Ackerman said. “When people are dissatisfied they’re dissatisfied with everything.”
Ackerman went on to say that there is a large number of Americans who feel that the country is not going in the right direction. The top reasons for this are the economy and the war.
Other issues that were brought up included the voting machines used, access-a-ride, and enforcing speed limits in order to save gas.