Before you vote your way to hell

Dear District 23,
As you prepare to vote for candidate Hoffman because he is a "conservative", please consider that there is an enormous gulf between conscientious conservatism and the ugliness of reactionary politics. Even if the man ultimately retracts most of his policy statements, which he won't, the results will be catastrophic.

Mr. Hoffman supports the immediate escalation of the eight year old war in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, in Essex County, the bridge in Crown Point that crosses Lake Champlain and is the only bridge between Rouses Point and Whitehall sits blockaded due to structural weaknesses. Last year we kissed away $620 billion to fund two perpetual wars, a jet plane grossly inappropriate for any logistical purpose and other atrocities. That much money would rebuild every bridge in America and we'd have more than pocket change left over.

He opposes a public option in our health care fiasco because government doesn't belong in our health decisions. No, better leave it where it is, in the hands of Wall Street executives whose involvement can be synthesized to the probabilities of profit and loss.

Hoffman is opposed to ALL pork spending. This means closure or severe reductions to all North Country hospitals, airports, small businesses and Fort Drum. It also promises the bankruptcy of most communities north of Syracuse. Glen Beck would find this attractive.

Hoffman has also regurgitated the flat tax proposal "because it is simpler and cleaner". Especially if you are rich or depend on deregulation, unbridled capitalism, bonuses, derivatives, ponzi schemes and a stock market that fluctuates like a weather thermometer in Canton. Sound attractive? Sound familiar? It should. This is W. economics.

Being a male anti-choice advocate certainly smacks of righteousness as long as you dismiss the inconvenient reality of medically complicated, developmental or psychological issues. If you're opposed to elective abortion, then fine. Say that. Otherwise you are little more than a fool trumpeting some religious hysteria.

So, shall we vote for a man whose principles are largely unprincipled? Is he the proverbial altar boy come to rectify the excesses of our materialistic, godless society? Or is he that society?