Newsday: Democrat Steve Israel, 52, seeking his sixth term in the House, offers no simple answers. His positions are those of an experienced, thoughtful legislator, which puts him at odds with his opponent. The campaign of Republican John Gomez, 48, relies mostly on broad tea party-approved talking points and offensive accusations.
Virtual Gomez: The fact that my opponent is seeking another term only goes to show that he has chosen politics as a career. Which put very simply means: He is a career politician handing out favors (at taxpayer expense) in order to get re-elected. He has not given much thought to any legislation other than having a knee-jerk reaction to whatever Speaker Pelosi says. The latest rounds of comments I have made about Mr. Israel is that he should be brought up on bribery charges. The fact that your newspaper has done nothing to examine these accusations hurts you more than it does me.
Newsday: Israel is a ferocious fighter for Long Island and in every cause he trumpets, from green energy to improved infrastructure to job creation, he works to see his district benefit.
Virtual Gomez: The only time we see or hear of our congressman is around election time or when he is thinking about running for the senate. He only brings home the bacon to the defense contractors that contribute his campaign. Green energy is a money losing scam and government subsidies only prove that it is not a viable way to create energy. Finally, all government subsidies of large corporations should immediately wind down. (pun intended)
Newsday: Gomez, of Bayport, owns a telecommunications and consulting firm and used to host a program on WLIE radio. He says it was anger over the MTA payroll tax that spurred him into the race, although the federal government has no involvement in that issue.
Virtual Gomez: You got the first part right. The second part about the MTA tax is really messed up. The MTA tax was one of my inspirations and you make it sound like I don't know the difference. Maybe it is Newsday that doesn't understand the commerce clause. Also, it is my anger over government waste and high taxes that inspired me. If your Newspaper wasn't a lap dog for the unions you might become inspired as well.
Newsday: Israel, of Dix Hills, is a fiscal conservative who understands the vast majority of federal spending goes to Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, debt maintenance and defense. He believes tax cuts should expire for the rich but says the line, currently earnings of more than $250,000 for couples, should take inflation into consideration and rise to $388,000.
Virtual Gomez: My opponent has no clue about economics. He only knows about spending on high profile programs in order to get re-elected. You failed to mention that Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare is going bankrupt and riddled with fraud. Yet, Mr. Israel keeps keeps voting to rob Peter to pay Paul. The system needs reform and Mr. Israel refuses to deal with reality.
Newsday: Gomez claims he wants to shrink spending and government but supports more rail and bus service, wider and better roads, and other new infrastructure. He fails to identify many specific cuts he would support.
Virtual Gomez: Again, you want to cherry pick ideas and take them out of context then be prepared for me to call you out on it. The first thing that needs to be cut is waste and fraud. The way to do that is cut back on the budgets and eliminate "non-essential" government services. If it can be privatized and run better - then that's the way to go. More rail and bus service is more "green", something you should be supporting. Mr. Israel's contribution is to vote for more public funding of failed 'green' programs that make little economic sense.
Newsday: Israel is unabashed in his support of the health care reform bill. Gomez opposes the new law, but in its place suggests only tort reform and 50 state health insurance markets, far from the sweeping changes needed.
Virtual Gomez: How hard is it to find tomatoes? Not very hard. Why? Because anyone and everyone can grow them and the government is not involved to the extent it would be in medical care. Health care is preventive medicine, so get your terms straight. If the free market were allowed to operate and an equilibrium be allowed to exist, those without insurance can be covered by private charity - which will be a tax deduction. Mr. Israel believes in top-down control where I believe the market should be in charge. Which method works out better for the consumer? Finally, forcing people to buy insurance is illegal and will result in Obamacare being repealed.
Newsday: Gomez's campaign is short on ideas and long on smears, including signs calling Israel a socialist. Israel is a strong legislator, a principled public servant and a tireless advocate for Long Island.
Virtual Gomez: Your paper ignores ideas, especially the ones you disagree with. Yes, Mr. Israel is a Socialist because he believes in heavy government intervention in the economy and public control over the means of production - ie. Obamacare, Cap and Trade, etc.
Newsday: Newsday endorses Mr. Israel
Virtual Gomez: Kiss my ass.
