Election season is in full swing, and we would guess that most of our readers are already sick of being innundated with stacks of political flyers found daily in their mailboxes and hours of political attack ads on television.
But we need to look beyond the nonsense and realize just how important this election-indeed, every election-is to the future of our city, our state and our country. It is important for all of us to see each of the candidates in action, hear what they have to say and then make our own judgments as to what kind of leaders we want to send to City Hall, to Albany and to Washington.
There is no better way for the American people to learn about their politicians than a debate. A well-organized, functioning debate has the ability to make or break a candidate and gives the viewing audience an idea of what kind of elected official a candidate can be.
For a set period of time, the candidates come together in a venue, are quizzed by one or several moderators on the important issues of the day, and provide answers directly to the public while simultaneously rebutting their opponents.
The answers may not always be on the spot, but the performance of a candidate at a debate can make a dull race competitive (see the first presidential debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney) or even decide a race (see the first-ever televised presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon in 1960).
Fortunately, in our neck of the woods, we currently have two terrific, competitive contests among local elected officials: the 15th State Senate District race between incumbent Democratic State Sen. Joseph Addabbo and Republican City Council Member Eric Ulrich; and the open Sixth Congressional District race between Democratic Assemblywoman Grace Meng and Republican City Council Member Daniel Halloran.
You can see all four of them compete at a debate co-sponsored by the Juniper Park Civic Association, the Times Newsweekly/Ridgewood Times and the New York Daily News next Thursday night, Oct. 18, at 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Hope Auditorium, located at the corner of Eliot Avenue and 71st Street in Middle Village.
All four candidates will be quizzed by a panel of reporters on the major issues of this election. This is a great opportunity for all voters in our community to come out and get the answers directly from the candidates themselves, then use what they hear to make their own judgments when they go to the polls.
This debate is just as important to the people of this area as the presidential race is to the nation. Whoever wins will be our representatives in the State Capitol and on Capitol Hill for the next two years. The winners will determine what kind of services they will bring to our community.
The late Tip O’Neill, a former Speaker of the House, once said, “All politics is local.” He was 100 percent right. No one can just walk into the White House and seek help for a broken catch basin or a noisy neighbor, but they can walk into the district office of their local state senator, assembly member or Congressperson and get assistance.
Come out to next Thursday’s debate in Middle Village, hear from the candidates and make your choice on Election Day. Remember: if you don’t vote this year, you shouldn’t complain about what happens the next few years.
