Now, your thoughts: POLITICS

Newsday Staff Writer

June 17, 2007

Our experiment in brainstorming has begun. Here's a sample of the ideas readers sent in response to last Sunday's editorial. The conversation on Long Island's future continues. Michael White, executive director of the Long Island Regional Planning Board, will respond to your questions and comments in this space next Sunday. Respond or add a new idea any time, by category, at: www.newsday.com/opinion. Watch the opinion pages for select comments.

We need a healthy two- or three-party system, with banning of cross-endorsements from major political parties. Mike DePaoli, South Setauket

Why must hardworking Long Islanders have to pay one of the highest tax tabs in the country just to live comfortably, while some town officials are getting "gifts" of health insurance coverage with taxpayers' money, just for showing up for talks once or twice a month? Not to mention recent political scandals, indictments, resignations and convictions. These are the very people we chose to entrust with safeguarding our well-being and livelihood. Leave and take your chances in a new and perhaps better environment, or stay and be fleeced by the political establishment. Sonny Sciarrone, 77 Miller Place

As long as corruption is tolerated, Long Island will never go forward. James Golden, 64 Holtsville

Consolidation of multiple taxing authorities and school districts with minimal administrative structure should be given the highest priority. We need an independent Blue Ribbon Commission with enforcement powers to make this happen. Rajeshwar Prasad, 75 Farmingville

It will take a Herculean effort and a shared vision among business, academics, residents, policy makers, the nonprofit sector and elected officials to ensure a vibrant future - and this will have to involve stakeholders from across the region, including New York City, and incentives of some sort. It probably needs to be a Regional Plan Association-type effort to bring everyone to the table. Mary Beth Tully, 45 Garden City