It was no secret that the 2022 election was not going to be a good one for the Democratic Party. Unable to get by public unhappiness with the party in power, the Democrats failed to develop a credible campaign even though it had many accomplishments in Washington.
The continued split between the two parties in the nation bodes ill for the next two years when we will have national gridlock, gridlock and more gridlock.
The Long Island political picture is not a happy one. Whether at the state or local level, there are no strong leaders capable of talking sense into both sides of the aisle on any regional issue. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were a politician at the top of the ladder who could get the parties to sit down and plan collectively for two years of new accomplishments?
Regrettably, there is no elected official who commands the respect of both parties to craft a wish list of programs that will benefit our local taxpayers in general? Most of our electeds in power are wedded to the party line and are unwilling to cross either side of the aisle.
Our local needs are no secret. The Island needs more housing that will help keep young people from fleeing to the nearby city. There are ample federal dollars available for rebuilding our roads or bridges, but someone must be the Island’s cheerleader in Washington and Albany.
Drugs continue to flood our streets and kill innocent young people at the earliest stages of their life. The bi-county area needs more dollars to ramp up drug enforcement and save those lives. The public worries about prime throughout the year but it lacks a champion for that crusade.
Our mass transit system is now at the highest level of accomplishments in our region’s history. The Grand Central connection will spread the LIRR commuters to the east side of Manhattan. Other improvements will add value to our homeowners.
The COVID-19 pandemic experience taught us that every regional health system has to be upgraded and needs more funding for Long Island with a population exceeding three million people needs to be better funded to meet this challenge. There are no assurances that we will avoid any new COVID-19 outbreaks.
It is time for a champion to emerge who can unite both parties and focus on Long Island’s future. Maybe that champion is right under our noses.
Former State Assemblyman Jerry Kremer is a columnist for Anton Media Group and a partner at Ruskin Moscou Faltischek in Uniondale. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher or Anton Media Group.