Editor’s note: The opinions in these letters are those of the authors’ only.
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OPINION: Tom MacArthur is a “political hobbyist.” Vote for Andy Kim
A letter to the editor by Terry Cini of Riverton, NJ
Long before Tom MacArthur sold his insurance business, banked his multi millions, and combed the state for a ripe climate to start his new venture as a political hobbyist, my community had deep roots that he knows nothing about. He parachuted into my district from North Jersey, bought a token condo in the loved place many generations of my family call “down the shore”, and set up shop.
Long before Tom MacArthur decided that it was essential not to inconvenience out-of-state people carrying concealed weapons with a “silly” law that prevented them from doing so here, we in this community had already decided what kind of quality of life we valued. But he forged ahead, in tandem with the NRA to sponsor a bill that would allow that. It would exponentially increase the risk to our children in grocery stores, churches, and schools. Our kids who grew up to be the hometown cop would be in exponentially higher danger every time they made a routine traffic stop or broke up a fight outside a local bar.
Long before Tom MacArthur came here, my father and grandfather hunted pheasant and ducks and deer, in the fields and orchards and riverbank of my district, some of which are now safe new communities for our children and their children. We have a history and deep roots, and our people tend to stay around.
I have been hearing Tom MacArthur disrespect these people for two years now. He and his mouthpiece Chris Russell have been calling decent people names, people who have lived here all their lives and for many, many generations. Listen and you will hear names like “fringe,” “far left,” “bussed in paid protesters,” “radical”. These kinds of tactics are part of a pattern of hard right republicans across the country and Donald Trump. They all use the same tactic and the same names. I’ve been paying attention.
Tom MacArthur has done a lot of damage in this district, in many ways beyond gun policy. He is so hard right that he has been unceremoniously dethroned from the so-called moderate caucus of his own party. He votes so hard right that he is the odd man out with his own fellow republicans in this state. He is now running for cover and anxious to resurrect the myth that he weaved when he first landed here – that he is a bipartisan moderate. You will see that and similar words in every missive he releases from his campaign, ad nauseum. I have been paying very close attention.
Tom MacArthur is not from here and is not interested in “knowing his customer”, in the jargon of business that he should well understand. He betrayed us. Time to vote him out. I am supporting Andy Kim for congress, a Rhodes scholar, product of our schools, diplomat, national security expert, and home town boy who knows our district and has deep roots here long before Tom MacArthur decided to come here and use us as a springboard for his political aspirations.
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OPINION: Andy Kim believes that everyone in our country needs access to quality healthcare
A letter to the editor by Kathleen Pulver
Healthcare has not been prominent in the news recently, yet it is an issue that needs to be closely monitored and taken seriously as the Republicans and the President continue to work to erode access to affordable, quality health care services.
My daughter has just been diagnosed with a 4th occurrence of a rare kidney cancer. We believe that if she had not been able to sign up for the ACA four years ago, she would not be here today. She is a therapist who works with society’s vulnerable people, those with mental health issues like ongoing trauma and PTSD. In turn, many of these people have been able to access mental health care because of the ACA.
“Mental health” is being used frequently now by those who are trying to find a reason for the horrific mass shootings that seem to be epidemic in America. Trump talks about “opening mental hospitals” and the NRA conveniently blames mental health for shootings. If this is the big concern, what will happen when we go back to the old non-coverage of mental health services?
Republicans like our own Representative Tom MacArthur still want to totally repeal the ACA with no replacement in sight. This will mean less coverage for more money: 10% higher premiums, millions more with no coverage, lifetime limits and less access to care for women and children and for people who have pre-existing conditions.
In contrast, Andy Kim, who is challenging MacArthur believes that everyone in our country needs access to quality healthcare. He understands that to be a great nation everyone must have healthcare, regardless of their financial situation.
Is someone who has money worth more than someone who doesn’t? It is my sorrow and fear that this is the way our society is heading. On a positive note, we all need to remember that we are all equal when it comes to voting.
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OPINION: Andy Kim is a National Security expert
A letter to the editor by Heather Larson of Mount Holly, NJ
Dear Editor,
I am responding to Congressman Tom MacArthur’s comment in the Burlington County Times February 27 issue. He insinuates that Andy Kim worked for an administration that had plans to close military installations like Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
First, administrations since Reagan looked at base realignment and closures (BRAC) to determine necessity for our defense. During President George W. Bush’s administration in 2005, there was a massive BRAC. It’s not just Obama. You never know, the current president could have one himself!
Second, and more importantly, Andy Kim was not a political appointee to President Obama. He was a non-partisan federal employee. That said, Andy Kim is a National Security expert and I think he will do just fine working with commanders and rank and file service members to make sure needs are met and communicated with D.C., while also fight for its existence as long as it has a viable mission!
Stop making false accusations, Congressman. Andy Kim has had intimate connection to active duty troops by actually serving in a war zone. So, if the Generals at Joint Base MDL show good justification for it to keep its mission, he will most definitely fight hard for it to stay open.
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OPINION: CD3 needs a change!
A letter to the editor by Rosemary Lerario of Eastampton, NJ
David Levinsky’s February 27 article in the Burlington County Times, about Congressman MacArthur’s upcoming (and expensive) fundraiser, quotes Chris Russell, a consultant and spokesman for MacArthur’s campaign, who used all the old, tired tactics in an attempt to brand Democratic challenger, Andy Kim. He claimed Mr. Kim is “too liberal” to represent the district, in contrast to the republican incumbent who he says has been “ranked” as one of the “most moderate” members of Congress. Nothing could be further from the truth. Mr. Russell must have forgotten MacArthur’s exit from the (actually) moderate Congressional “Tuesday group,” when he decided to support the very worst of the Republican “health care” legislation last May.
He goes on to paint Mr Kim as “an extreme partisan who represents the radical fringe of the Democratic Party,” saying he wouldn’t seek compromise. Again, a simple google search will reveal that MacArthur has supported the Trump Administration’s position 94% of the time; and, he consistently voted against the best interests of his constituents in the 3rd District and New Jersey. He has voted for Conceal and Carry Reciprocity, the tax plan that explodes the deficit, hurts those that can least afford to pay more, while giving himself a huge tax break, and will likely support the huge cuts to Medicare and Social Security. And the best they can come up with when attacking Andy Kim is to call him a… San Francisco liberal? You know what? I’ll take that.
We can’t afford another term of Tom MacArthur. I’m supporting someone who believes Congressmen are public servants. I’m supporting Andy Kim.
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OPINION: Alternative Fact Fundraisers not fooling me
A letter to the editor by Alice M. Oppenheimer of Mount Laurel, NJ
Let’s look at the fundraising efforts and campaigns of the two candidates for NJ’s 3d District.
One candidate holds fundraisers in venues which glorify wealth, status and excess and politics as usual.
The other holds his fundraisers in small gatherings, at barbecues, retail shopping centers and public venues where he can talk with average Americans who want to get to know him.
One candidate invites as headliners those who are advocates of using “alternative facts” and “Newspeak” (formerly known as lies) to address those attending amidst media glitz and glam.
The other candidate invites policy makers, local community members and advocates of all ages and experiences to speak in small, local venues, which allow the candidate to know the attendees and reach out and understand the needs of the community.
One candidate speaks to self-selected members of those who serve and protect, editing out his own actions and policies which undermine the strength and well-being of our military members and their families. He fails to mention or explain why at the very first opportunity to do so, he chose to leave the prestigious Armed Services Committee and chose instead to work on the Financial Services Committee demonstrating that he values the influence of money first, even over the lives and safety of our nation and its citizenry.
The other candidate speaks to the military and police on actual policy issues and discusses difficult decisions drawing upon his own experience as an “on the ground” representative to the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan, with a focus on the complexities of safety and protection in modern society.
One candidate tells us highly edited and selective versions of his activity, telling us what he wants us to hear, and rarely affords all of his constituents to attend speaking events (except in orchestrated restricted settings) and even more rarely in the portions of his district where more independents and centrist leaning constituents reside near his Marlton office.
This same candidate extols himself as moderate, yet his views and actions on the Hill led to his being forced to resign from the truly moderate Republican “Tuesday Group”, and have often resulted in votes that no other New Jersey representative, (Independent, Republican or Democrat supports), such as NRA fueled open-carry reciprocity legislation, votes to impose tax reform which hurts most NJ constituents who need tax reform the most, and votes to repeal the ACA with a replacement favoring insurers over citizens needing access to affordable health care.
The other candidate listens more than speaks, and seeks to represent all members of NJ 3d. He is establishing a coalition of supporters from the Joint Bases, from the financial sectors and from the average, hard-working members of NJ’s 3d. His views are informed and representative of the entire district he seeks to serve.
One candidate finances his campaign almost exclusively through corporate PACs and outside interest groups. The other has a grass-roots campaign, by and for the people.
We the people in NJ3d do not need Kelly Ann Conway’s version of “alternative truth” to tell us what we already know.
We are not fooled by glitz, glam and gold. We know straight talkers and honest people when we see them. We know who seeks to lift us up instead of tear us down.
Get to know and support Andy Kim. I did and have come to believe that he is the only moderate voice seeking to serve our district.
TMac will just be all about business – as usual. On our dime.
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OPINION: Tom MacArthur: “Bipartisan.” I do not think it means what you think it means
A letter to the editor by Kristine Piccola of Moorestown, NJ
Dear Editor,
I am writing today about the article “ White House adviser Kellyanne Conway to headline MacArthur fundraiser” in the February 28 edition of the Burlington County Times.
Chris Russel, a spokesman for Congressman MacArthur’s campaign, lamely pins “bipartisan” like a badge of honor upon Tom MacArthur. The continued overuse of this word brings to mind the wise words of Inigo Montoya, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”
The growing wave of support for Democratic challenger Andy Kim is a direct response to Andy’s affirmed commitments to supporting, championing, and passing legislation his constituents find most important. Andy’s grassroots campaign is reaching the residents of NJD3 who continue to donate as much as they are able to help him unseat MacArthur. MacArthur’s high price fundraiser contributions come with strings attached, binding him to the policy demands of his contributors instead of the needs of his constituents.
Andy promises transparency, refusing the leash that comes with accepting super PAC money. Andy’s constituents will see active engagement through regular town hall meetings and public comment sessions. Our voice will be heard. As our congressman, Andy Kim will remind us we are in fact a democracy of the people, for the people, and by the people. I am proud to support Andy Kim for Congress in NJCD3.
Editor’s note: The opinions in these letters are those of the authors’ only.
Citizens’ Media TV encourages all viewpoints. Please submit your letters to the editor
| Citizens’ Media TV is 100% funded by its readers. Please support independent journalism. Help pay for Citizens’ Media TV. |
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