In two weeks, elections will take place for state and federal lawmakers, and the decisions voters make will undoubtedely have long and lasting impacts. At both levels of government, there are serious issues for our country, and our communities.

Undoubtedly the first questions voters must ask is where each candidate stands on the war on terrorism, and which candidate represents the best opportunity to move this country, and the world, to a safe and secure place.

We support a strong, offensive position as undertaken by the administration of President George W. Bush and his supporters-an approach that seeks out and destroys the threats rather than reacting to them. Much has been done to accomplish this, with greater and lesser degrees of success, and much more needs to be done. But the fact is that despite the criticism, the missteps and the mistakes, this is the only approach that meets terror at terror's doorstep, where the fight must take place.

In addition, we support candidates who support decisive measures to reign in the flood of illigel immigrants who are invading our country. Most have strong personal reasons for wanting to come here and work, but the end does not justify the means, which is breaking

the law. Our country needs to protect its borders and stop the influx. After that is achieved, and only after that is achieved, should we begin to look at ways bringing the illegal immigrants into the full measure of the American life in a way that does not usurp our culture and our future.

At the state and local level, we need to take a serious look at those candidates who best represent a solution for Long Island's high taxes-taxes that are driving people away from Nassau and Suffolk counties and threatening the viability of a strong and robust economy here. Bold initiatives such as changing the way in which we fund education must be seriously considered. Creative iniatives for modest-cost housing must be implemented and decisive iniatives to attract and maintain hightech and high paying jobs must be taken. The candidates willing and able to stand alone, set aside political partisianship and make these changes are those we should support.

Over the next two weeks, consider all that you read and hear and find out where the candidates stand on these important issues. Then, when you go to the polls, you will be armed with the most powerful tools of democracy -- information.