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Congressman Steve Israel's Common Sense campaign
"It's tougher than ever for people to afford to live here and residents are moving to lower-cost areas. If I am reelected I will fight for the right priorities...such as lower taxes and college reimbursements to save residents money," said Israel who was first elected to Congress in 2000. Israel said he continues to have his finger on the pulse of his community because he is home in Dix Hills every weekend with his family, and this keeps the Congressman, self-described "every man," in-touch. "I am like most people, I vote neither left or right. I worry about the price of medicine and taxes," said Israel who's running on the Democratic, Independence and Working Families lines. "I am proud to be known as a defiant centrist and I try to represent my district with independence and I treat all my constituents like customers, who can hire and fire me." His opponent, John Bugler of Oakdale, is running on the Conservative and Republican lines but did not return several calls for an interview. Bugler, who has run for office in the past, is a local volunteer, a U.S. Navy veteran and a project engineer for the NYS Department of Transportation.
"We need to increase border security and construct a fence. As for amnesty, I believe that if the immigrants are here, they should be able to obtain citizenship and pay back their taxes." As for sending immigrants back to their countries as some have suggested, he scoffs at the idea. "How would you find 11 million hiding people? When (hurricane) Katrina hit we couldn't save everyone. There were people standing on their roofs-how would we ever transport 11 million people?" But opponents say that locating and rounding up 11 million people is not the alternative they are looking for. Republicans, including Congressman Peter King want the government to first stop the flow of illegal immigrants into this country through a variety of methods including constructing a fence along the borders. Then and only then should the United States begin the process of giving amnesty to illegal immigrants, they say. Wind Farm Project "Energy is a national security issue. We consume 20 million barrels of oil a day and 13 of those are imported," said the Congressman who drafted his own Next Generation Energy Plan. "We need to be self reliant." Thus, Israel completely supports the Jones Beach Windfarm energy proposal. "We are compromising our safety by our reliance on foreign fuel. We are wasting money and paying our enemies to fly our air force and heat our homes. I know it (the wind farm) wouldn't provide much energy, but its a start," said Israel that won by 67 percent on the votes in his 2004 election. As for the turbines and windmills ruining the view, Israel said, "I have empathy with the people who don't want to look at it, but what use is a good view if you have no lights or energy?" Israel points out however, that he co-chairs the Long Island Sound Caucus, which looks to improve the ecology and economy in the area. In fact, he secured $24.5 million in federal funds to improve water quality and restore fish populations, he said. Our dependence on fossil fuels is harming the environment through greenhouse gas emissions and is costing homeowners more every year, he added. One way to reduce our dependence on foreign oil says Israel is to offer up to $2,500 in annual tax incentives to families that invest in new energy technologies and to renewable energy companies that expand their markets. "Just by offering the incentive to families would reduce the U.S. residential sector's electricity use by 17 percent because 45-million American homes are under insulated," said Israel. Other cost-saving measures for taxpayers could include indexing for inflation, and going after corporate entities in Bermuda that are not paying their U.S. taxes. In addition, the father of two, wants to alleviate burgeoning college bills by having school expenses recoupable through an income tax deduction to the tune of $7,500 yearly. "Going to college shouldn't be synonymous with going into debt," he explained. Of all the legislation Israel has sponsored, he's most proud that he has recovered $2.5 million in back pay for veterans, and is fighting to give veterans mandatory health care. War on terror As for the war in Iraq, Israel says he would like to see a slow withdrawal of U.S. troops from the Middle East. And, although he voted for the war, in hindsight he says he wishes he had not. "For every Iraqi soldier that reaches a proficiency in combat, an American soldier should be redeployed or sent home," said Israel, who is the only New York Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee."The president keeps saying that we are training the Iraqi troops, but at what point are they ready? He needs to be held accountable." Israel served as a Town Councilman in Huntington for eight years and an assistant county executive prior to being voted to Congress. He also serves on the House Financial Services Committee, formed the House Center Aisle Caucus and is Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Defense & the Military. The 2nd Congressional district has 134,652 registered Democrats and 128,717 Republicans. It covers Suffolk County and Nassau County including Huntington, Babylon, Deer Park, East Farmingdale, North Amityville,West Babylon, Wheatley Heights, and parts of Lindenhurst and Copiague, Islip, Smithtown and Oyster Bay. Election day is Tuesday, November 7 and the polls open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Remember to vote on
November 7th
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