Negative campaigns, saving democracy, ease of voting, wasting water

Midterm mud, money and noise

I’m tired of getting more and more campaign flyers, mostly from Republicans, that grotesquely caricature their opponents and mislead us about their backgrounds and positions [“LI Dems: Stop accusatory mailers,” News, Oct. 6].

As a high school social studies and civics teacher, I find these campaign flyers sickening, and I avoid the candidates who sent them when they approach me at civic events or on a Long Island Rail Road platform during my morning commute.

Democracy is a game best played fairly, with mutual respect and good faith. Politicians who refuse to do that may succeed in furthering their own careers, but they do so at the expense of poisoning our political culture with fear, mistrust, and rage addiction.

— Alex Dillon, Cedarhurst

I am so sick of these political TV and radio commercials and print mailers. We never hear from these people except now, when all we hear are attacks and lies.

They will say anything to get elected and usually do nothing once in office. They seem to want the position for personal perks, money and wealth. Not for “We the People.” Never in my life has it been this bad.

— Barbara Hansen, Smithtown

Elon Musk has essentially said to all U.S. citizens that we will do what he tells us to do [“Musk giving $276M to boost GOP hopes,” News, Oct. 13].

That’s where we find ourselves during this historic, critically important midterm election. And so, for many working Americans who have limited time and opportunity to get accurate news information and political discussion, this trillionaire will flood their sources with the information that he wants us to hear and believe.

How far will this latest injection of $276 million with a full cycle total for 2026 of $366 million into Republican groups go?

Well, it will saturate the airwaves and social media platforms, suffocating many of the facts and realities the administration would like to have you forget.

— Charles A. Perretti, East Setauket

Rights, rule of law and the ballot box

I agree with Assembly Deputy Speaker Philip R. Ramos that the “American dream always promised something greater than economic opportunity. It offers the promise of liberty, dignity, equal justice and a better future for our children” [“What’s at stake in the 2026 election,” Opinion, Oct. 27].

What Ramos fails to mention in his reference to aggressive immigration enforcement is that the rights and hopes are here for all to strive for if they enter the country legally; if they enter illegally, they may forfeit that path to them.

— Mark McEntee, Malverne

In his attentive analysis of our dilemma this election year, Philip R. Ramos highlights the issues, including attacks on the free press, undermining of the courts, concentration of executive power and manipulation of our election system. Our voters and political leaders should heed his warning and answer his call.

— Peter Bonet, Garden City

Casting a vote now is a breeze in Suffolk

I voted early on Saturday and want to take this opportunity to thank the Suffolk County Board of Elections for its safe and smooth operation, as well as for the new touch-screen voting machines [“Long Island rolls out voting machine upgrades,” News, Oct. 24].

I have been voting for almost 60 years, and this was the easiest, fastest and most efficient voting experience I have ever had.

— Jim Kiernan, Holbrook

Turn off the hoses to save our aquifer

One way to reduce overall water consumption on Long Island immediately is to ban watering of lawns at residential and most commercial properties [“Businesses among top users of water,” News, Oct. 11].

I have not watered my traditional lawn in at least 10 years, and, true, it would never make the cover of Homes & Gardens magazine, but it is green, lush and prevents erosion. I must cut it at least twice a month, low, and its deep root system helps it find moisture during dry spells.

Mother Nature does the watering. In periods of little or no rain, it does not die but goes dormant and can lose its green color, but it rebounds after moderate rainfall.

Because of our dependence on our aquifer for all of our water needs and the increasing intrusion of saltwater into it, I hope all our elected officials will consider this proposal.

— Peter A. Rogers, Miller Place