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PAGE A14 « TIMES OF NORTHPORT » NOVEMBER 17, 2005 Editorial The good old days under Bill Clinton An unhappy Republican, still distraught trom the drubbing his party took in the recent local elections, sits quietly in a corner and thinks, \Remember the good old days under the Clinton administration\\ It might sound far-fetched if it didn't ring so true Long Island, where Democrats won longume Republican strongholds all over the place November 8. also played host to a con- terence on Clinton's legacy last week. The three-day forum at Hofstra University and the keynote address Clinton himselt delivered on its first day served as a strong remunder of how much better so many things were just five years ago. It was a reminder of how moderately Clinton governed, deticately treading down the middle of the road. He hiked some taxes but paid down the debt and unleashed ‘ unprecedented investment. He brokered a \ peace deal between Arabs and Israelis - admittedly tossed aside many times since, but still the foundation of subsequent agreements - but also bombed Bosnia's Serbs into sub- nusston after they fomented the worst vio- lence in Europe since 1945. He appointed a liberal to the Supreme Court but relished signing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a bill supported by the religious right - later struck down on federalism grounds but providing the basis for many state laws. Clinton's middle-of-the-road model of governance was called \tmangulating\ or \the third way,\ the first two being liberalism and conservatism. It earned him the title \the New Democrat.\ It's become hard ever since for national Republicans to claim they are the party of fis- cal conservatism - just compare the federal halance sheets under Clinton and Bush, even discounting September 11. It's just as hard for local Republicans to claim they're fiscal conservatives when they control so much of the state government, which has driven prop- erty taxes here through the roof with its edu- cation spending mandates. The big elephant in the ruom that must be addressed in any companson between Clinton and Bush is of course September 11. Did Clinton do enough to combat al Qaeda? No, but he was a little distracted by impeach- ment. Neither did Bush before the attacks. Has September 11 driven a lot of the recent hikes in federal spending? Of course, but not the 40 percent increase in education spending under Bush, or the new Medicare prescrip- tion drug entitlement, which is also going to cost a fortune. The fact is that aside from hot- button issues like abortion, Bush often seems no more conservative than Clinton. Personal failings aside, Clinton governed well and Bush seems too often to be flailing crony 's college buddy to run the Emergency Management Agency? out- ing of an intelligence operative to get tack at her husband? A nearly complete failurd to articulate the real reasons for invading Iraq? This has dropped Bush's approval rating to an all-time low. It's enough to make even staunch Republicans wistful for the '90s, the good old days, under Bill Clinton. Email letters to timesnpt@tbrnewspapers.com Opinion They should be considered champions TO THE EDITOR: 1 want to congratulate the Glen Cove High School community for reporting to Section Vill Nassau govern- ing body that one of their football players was ineligible. Although this action forced them to forfeit all of its Nassau Conference [lH victories this season. they should be considered champions. 1 was disheartened to read Newsday's artucle this sum- met that exposed the plulosophy of many Long Island high whool athletes, it's not cheating unless you get aught. Obviously the Glen Cove team was not caught, but one of the coaches discovered the discrepancy and did the honorable thing. Northport Little League sent a team to the Williamsport tournament this past summer with an inel- igible player. Even with constant questioning by Little League parents of the eligibility of the player in ques- ton, the boy was only removed from the team, unwill- ingly, by the League after Northport beat the West Babylon team and Northport was eliminated, by losses, from the tournament. After a restricted, closed-door meeting with the District 34 administrator, no action by the Northport Little League Executive Board was taken with the responsible parties. Little or no effort was made to notify the opposing teams or the public of the ineligible player on Northport's team. The honorable thing did not happen in this case. As you can see, the \it's not cheating unless you get caught\ mentality is learned at a much earlier age than high school. Dan Breen Northport Heartfelt thanks TO THE EDITOR: I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the many won- derful people whose support, guidance and hard work enabled me to once again be re-elected to the Suffolk County Legislature. I am especially grateful to my family. my friends and the dozens of dedicated volunteers who devoted countless hours to aading my campaign efforts. Just as importantly, I would like to thank the voters who re-elected me based on my legastative record. I con- sider it a privilege, each election cycle, to face a challenge for the hearts and minds of the residents of the 18th dis- trict. I am truly gratified and humbled by your expression of continued confidence and support. I hope that all district residents will consider my leg- islative office as a resource. Please contact me at 854 4500 if you ever have a problem or need help cutting through governmental red tape. I also invite you to visit my website at www.legislatorcooper.com. Jon Cooper Suffolk County Legislator 18th Legislative District Lloyd Harbor The opinions of columnists and letter writers are their own. They do not speak for the newspaper. Continued Exit poll Continued from page A1 that the board has a hidden agenda to keep the budget artificially inflated and that it expects the second vote to be \the real vote.\ Residents were also critical of the perceived high teacher salaries and benefits and indi- cated a belief that the board ghould cut administrative salaries. Many feared a scandal similar to Roslyn could occur. The poll also indicated that residents want to have a hand in crafting the budget and want to address the high cost of living and taxes in the district. Recommendations suggested that the school board improve communication and develop an awareness campaign during the next budget cycle. Copies of the budget should be made available at both libraries and on the district website, residents said. They also strong- ly suggested that the school board create a budget at or below a five-percent increase without compromising key programs and demonstrate a willingness to lead negotiations on a new teacher contract. Board President Arlene Munson called the survey a \real eye-opener.\ \Many of the areas surveyed need to be seriously considered,\ she said. \We need to discuss what the cost of living really is. Once we pick the recurring themes, we will address concerns one by one.\ Board member Warren Arthur called the survey a \significant road map.\ Board member Rob Ingraham said, \The diversity of comments represents the diversity of the area. This sur- vey is from the heart, and these volunteers are taking major issues and allocating time to them so that people can be informed.\ none o ba c ces me nat ut 7 cnn oe ece onic rem Stes a e cie coots arm ising tC o. & me (ee mag Ay
