Reader election reflections for 2018

Although I agree with Nassau County GOP chairman Joe Cairo that President Donald Trump contributed to the high turnout of voters in Nassau and Suffolk counties, I believe the loss of at least three State Senate seats held by Republicans had more to do with political corruption than with any dissatisfaction with Trump [“High turnout drove results in LI elections,” News, Nov. 8].

Jack Coughlin, Deer Park

Editor’s note: The writer is a member of the Suffolk County Conservative Party executive committee.

Everyone I spoke to on Election Day hates the paper ballots. They take too long, are not very private and kill trees. How do we get the machines back?

Ron Enners, West Babylon

Election night was a disaster for New York Republicans. The state GOP finds itself in the political wilderness. Looking back at the party’s campaigns, you would have seen desperate talking points, over-the-top attacks and one-off “solutions” to take advantage of hot-button issues. What you did not see was a comprehensive set of solutions for the most difficult issues.

So what would a Republican vision for New York look like? As a Republican, I submit these concepts:

• Property tax reform that delivers meaningful relief to the middle-class.
• A health care plan that gives patients more control, improves outcomes and provides a safety net in the worst cases.
• An economic development plan that aims to attract high-paying, innovative jobs.
• More access to affordable housing.
• A plan to modernize highways and railways that have been left to decay.
• More control of education for administrators, teachers and parents.
• Comprehensive ethics reform to clean up New York for good.

New York Republicans will be the opposition party in the short-term, but that does not mean they have to be weak. Republicans should confront Democrats on policy and present a vision for a more prosperous New York that uses government to provide key public goods while promoting individual liberty and opportunity. That path can bring a new Republican dawn in New York.

Michal Lementowski, Massapequa Park

I walk with the aid of two canes, and I believe that politicians campaigning for office infringe on my family time and home life. Calls to my cellphone eat into plan’s limits. The vast numbers of calls to my house phone to ask for my vote require me to get up to answer them. Volunteers knocking make me get up to answer the door.

It’s bad enough that we have to see all of the campaign signs on roadsides, but many are left until they disintegrate. Just mail your information. Stop being so intrusive. Hold more meet-and-greets for people to come to you, but please do not block food store entryways and train station platforms.

Kathleen Lewis, Port Washington

Elections remind me of the 1960s show “The Outer Limits.” With the end of ’round-the-clock commercials by politicians, political parties, unions and pay-for-play special-interest groups, we now return control of your television to you until the next election.

Larry Penner, Great Neck

It never surprises me how President Donald Trump consistently takes credit for results he likes, whether or not he had anything to do with it, and blames others for results he doesn’t like, even though he had everything to do with it. To that point, he blamed “the media” for Republicans losing the House majority, when, in fact, the loss was a clear repudiation of himself and his presidency.

Martin Geller, Manhasset

It is remarkable that the one issue I do not remember anyone even acknowledging during the election campaigns was the war in Afghanistan.

Our brave soldiers have been fighting and dying there for 17 years, yet no candidate thought this was an important campaign issue.

I heard bragging about supporting the military with a massive $700 billion defense budget that will supposedly protect us from our enemies, but no one laid out a clear and effective Afghanistan military plan or even broached the subject of ending the longest war in American history. It was as if this war does not exist.

How can a country at war not even discuss the conflict before an election? Our courageous young men and women risking their lives must be asking, “Hey America, did you forget about us?” They deserve better from our nation’s leaders.

Mark A. Nocero, Smithtown

Both Democrats and Republicans fought nasty campaigns.

Regardless of who’s in “control,” it’s time to pull together to accomplish something good for your constituents. Time to fix all the problems this country has with taxes, health care and infrastructure. Play nice.

Barry Pegalis, East Meadow