Levy's fundraising shouldn't shock us

I am surprised at the finger-pointing and holier-than-thou attitude of Newsday readers regarding the antics involved with Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy's fundraising practices ["Inside Levy's money machine," News, April 7].

This is the system that we put in place, that allows special interests to railroad public interest time after time. We live with it at every level of government, every day, from all political parties, because this is a systemic problem. We rigged the system so you can't win without participating in these detrimental practices.

There is an incestuous world of elected officials and their appointees, and the law firms, consulting firms and unions they work with daily. Elected officials and their appointees originated from, solicit contributions from, and/or plan on future employment opportunities from these firms and unions. In return, these firms and unions want profits and work from these governments officials, without consideration of what is in the best interest of the taxpayer.

To fix this systemic problem, we can start with three steps that every citizen, regardless of political affiliation, should support: publicly financing elections, independent redistricting and term limits. Supporting these means returning power to the people.

Unfortunately, we are moving further away from these changes. One example is the Citizen's United ruling last year by the Supreme Court, which lifted the ban on corporate contributions to political campaigns. Another is New York State legislators reneging on their campaign pledges to enact independent redistricting this year. Finally, there is the sheer lack of understanding the obvious: having a 20- or 30-year incumbent breeds complacency and isolation.

Brendan Mahoney

Farmingdale
 

Regarding "How jail built Levy's war chest" [News, April 7]: How come Newsday didn't do such a thorough investigation of Levy's campaign financing in 2007, when he ran for county executive as a Democrat? Jail construction was well on its way as far back as 2004. Contributions from jail contractors were coming in then.

Isn't it also very interesting that as soon as Levy became a Republican, the investigation became intense? And just before the special Suffolk County legislative election in the 6th District in March, District Attorney Thomas Spota launched his blockbuster about Levy and the Republican lost the election. Hmmm, I wonder.

Lou Gallo

Miller Place
 

The citizens and taxpayers of Suffolk County should insist that the new $156-million maximum-security jail in Yaphank be fitted with a cell -- well, maybe a suite of cells -- for public officials who betray and abuse the public trust to benefit themselves.

Wouldn't it be ironic if any politician who took advantage of his position by "selling" construction contracts for the jail wound up residing in the very object of his crime?

Bruce Stasiuk

Setauket