To the Editor:
Lawmakers in Washington, Hartford and even here in Monroe legislate for now and for the future. Laws are created so that they may withstand the tests of time and make our communities and our society better. How laws affect future generations are of the utmost importance when voting on certain bills at all levels of government. Some of the people who vote on those bills are those that we elect to Congress and the choice this election is stark.
Two important subjects that are sure to garner much attention and inspire much legislation in the coming Congress as well as having a great effect on future generations — as well as the current generation — are education and the environment. Jim Himes has voted in favor of legislation to improve salaries for Head Start teachers and counselors as well as increasing Pell grants and increasing access to work study programs for college students. Chris Murphy supports a comprehensive reform of the No Child Left Behind Act and worked across the aisle to pass legislation stopping an increase on interest rates for Stafford loans from doubling.
On the environment, Jim Himes received at 97% rating from the League of Conservation Voters. Himes also supports not only creating more green energy — such as wind and solar — but making sure it happens here in the United States by incentivizing businesses who specialize in this type of energy. Chris Murphy is the Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Land Conservation Caucus and supported legislation to increase fuel efficiency standards for cars to 35 miles per gallon. Murphy also believes in helping homeowners who want to utilize green energy in their homes.
Education — the gateway to the American dream — and the environment — keeping our air, water and land clean — are subjects that affect us now and will affect our children more. We need to invest in smart education and we need to invest in keeping our environment healthy. The way we do that is by electing representatives to advocate for our beliefs in the best education systems in the world and fighting for legislation keeping our environment clean. I know that I want my children living in a United States where they can get a world class education and breathe clean air and drink clean water.
Mr. Obsitnik might tell major news outlets that "questions are too general" and say things in a vague, non-committal tone without offering any specific policy proposals. And Mrs. McMahon might try to continually skirt around the issues by making personal character attacks or not even address them at all (the word education is mentioned once and the word environment twice in her plan), but Jim Himes and Chris Murphy have proven — with work they have done and specific policy proposals they will accomplish — why they should be elected to the U.S. Congress.
Nick Kapoor
Monroe Democratic Town Committee Chairman
