Letter to the Editor:
Whether a concerned Republican, fair-minded Independent or disappointed Democrat, you may have noticed that your pay or benefits have not kept pace with the rising costs of basic goods, housing, health care, energy and services. Consumer prices were up 3.7% in July—almost twice the Fed’s 2% inflation target. The current Yale study estimates tariffs alone are costing families an additional $1,700 a yr.
Yet those in political power, the mega-wealthy and giant business oligarchs continue to reap disproportionate wealth, benefit from billion-dollar tax cuts and enjoy political favors—all at our expense. That is no illusion. It is the reality confronting working Americans.
Whether you are paying for groceries, utilities, health insurance and medications, searching for affordable housing or seeking a well-paying job, Congressman Mike Lawler has done little to change this growing disparity. Quite the opposite. His votes overwhelmingly support Administration policies favoring the wealthiest, while working people—including small-business owners, teachers, nurses, EMTs, firefighters and police—are left paying the price.
Lawler’s allegiance appears less to his CD17 constituents than to a President who dismisses “affordability” as a Democratic “hoax” while assuring us inflation is falling and the economy is thriving. So when Congressman Lawler spends millions on TV advertising, with friends touting the savings and benefits he claims to have delivered, ask yourself: WHY DOESN’T YOUR BUDGET SHOW IT?
Lawler and his fellow Republicans have enacted sweeping cuts that will not take effect until after this year’s midterm elections—in other words, after you have voted. And let’s not forget Lawler’s critical vote for the One Big Beautiful Bill, cutting more than $1 billion from Medicaid and SNAP and potentially causing well over 30,000 CD17 constituents to lose access to health care, while creating additional costs for working families and older adults—and protecting ultra-wealthy individuals and mega-corporations from paying their fair share.
In fact, Lawler is this President’s trusted wolf in sheep’s clothing, his enabler, posing as a bi-partisan fair-minded legislator, but in truth a dishonest and expedient political operative picking our pockets every chance he can.
This November, whatever your party affiliation, your vote for Cait Conley can begin to bring an end to this deception and chaos. Cait has given her word to prioritize the needs of all CD17 constituents, not just the privileged few. Given a chance, she will fulfill that pledge.
JAY FORBES PEEKSILL