Archive: Opinions

Tom Reed rode the Tea Party wave into Congress during the 2010 election. He is part of the right-winged Republicans who opposed the President’s initiatives, including the American Jobs Act, the 2012 Farm Act, and the Small Business Jobs Act.

Imagine giving companies that send American Jobs overseas a 20% Tax Break! That’s what Rep. Tom Reed did when he voted for the Small Business Tax Cut Act. He also voted to protect tax breaks for oil companies, and against requiring Oil and Gas Companies to create disaster plans for oil spills. Are you surprised that Rep. Reed has received over $75,000 from Gas and Oil Companies for his campaign? Matter of fact, Reed has received $807,838 (as of 9/30/12) from Corporate PACs for this campaign.

Rep. Reed voted for the Ryan Budget Plan twice. This would raise middle class taxes and ends Medicare as we know it.

Reed’s opponent, Nate Shinagawa, is a Hospital Administrator. He understands the real health needs of real people. He has been elected to the Tompkins County Legislature twice. As its vice chairman he has worked with both Democrats and Republicans to provide county residents with better services at lower costs. Being raised in a working class family Nate experienced first hand the needs of the middle class, including equal pay for equal work. He believes in a strong Medicare Program and will not turn it into a voucher system. He strongly opposes hydrofracking, and feels we can develop alternative energy jobs in New York State. He has not accepted donations from Corporate PACs.

Nate is a proven leader and problem solver. He will bring those skills to Washington. I urge you to vote for Nate Shinagawa for Congress.

Rich Stewart
Penn Yan

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