Diaz Makes a Counter-Flier: 'I Am Still a Democrat'
By Jimmy Vielkind
ALBANY—Two can play the flyering game, apparently.
State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. sent out this open letter in response to a campaign by labor groups to try to bring him in line behind State Senator Malcolm Smith.
Smith is trying to round up 32 votes to become the chamber's majority leader.
"I have always been a Democrat. I am still a Democrat. And I will always be a Democrat," Diaz wrote in the two-page letter to constituents.
He said it was being released "in response to the negative campaign some special interests have begun in my community."
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Stand Strong!
What's wrong with 32BJ that they want to gang up on Senator Diaz because he is not going to support drastic tax hikes that will most certainly hurt working families?
Senator Diaz has been there for the rights of 32BJ workers probably more than anyone else! Remember the Solidarity March for Immigrants?
If we look past the special interest groups who are distracting the economic issues that are plaguing our State, and if we can ignore the political smoke and mirror games these groups are playing, we will see that Senator Diaz is determined to strengthen the Democratic Party.
Thank you.
I'm confused
I am puzzled. According to the headline, Senator Diaz says "NO" to budget cuts. The previous commenter says he's against "drastic tax hikes." But if he's against both budget cuts and tax hikes, how does he propose to close a $15 billion budget deficit? Realistically, the state will need both, plus a generous helping of federal aid.
It matters less to me whether Senators Diaz and Espada vote for Democratic leadership than whether they are focused on the most important needs of their borough, the poorest urban county in America. Does it really serve the people of the Bronx for their State Senator to hold Senate leadership hostage over an issue as trivial as gay marriage? Obviously Senator Diaz disagrees, but I'm not sure why. Right or wrong, preventing gay marriage will not save a single job or keep even one family off the street.
Senator Diaz
knows the impact that higher taxes would have on working class families. I can't believe that the rest of the Demo party does not realize that. I am going to have to make drastic changes in my life if these taxes go through and it won't be pretty!
Why are people ganging up on
Why are people ganging up on Senator Diaz? HE represents a poor area in the Bronx that is struggling. Many of these taxes, such as sales taxes, will hurt like crazy.
The Undauntable Senator Diaz
It should come as no surprise that Senator Diaz is standing up to the cowardly campaign launched against him by a band of thugs. Senator Diaz has never lacked the backbone and integrity to stand his ground and this is no exception.
What is somewhat mindboggling though is that Malcolm Smith - a man complicit in the filing of false police reports by Senator Cousins and responsible for launching a campaign of free speech oppression against public advocates that oppose his agenda - is eligible for anything but jail time.
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