This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

Intelligent, Savvy, and Fair-Minded

I am writing in support of Norm Needleman, the Essex first selectman and Democratic candidate for State Senate in the 33rd District. I am a physician and 70 year-old Connecticut native, residing in Clinton for the past 32 years.

Apprehension and even fear are reflected nationally, statewide, and locally. The reasons are not hard to identify: insufficient resources for public education and growing unaffordability of higher education; uncontrolled rise in out-of-pocket medical costs, aggravated by having a chronic disease; the continued retreat from retirement systems by government and the private sector; and the perception that future jobs will be scarce and closed to many people. Then, there are climate change and world events. We have a legacy of 80 years of poorly managed and accumulated governmental debt and our geography no longer ensures well-paying work. What is to be done? Clearly, a propagandistic and shrill advocacy of single issues and encouragement of hostility and blame are not the solutions.

We need an influx of intelligent, savvy, and fair-minded political representatives who are skillful and driven to political life for the best reasons, and in it for the long haul. Those reasons include building an environment based on realistic solutions and fairness that put our welfare first. Although he wears it well, Norm Needleman is at an age where “golden years” would be the easier path. His motivations are the right ones—to replenish the state and region and to create a future for his children and grandchildren, and for ours.

We need our best people in public life. Fortunately, as in the past, they are coming forward. There is an old and sometimes misused name for this. It is patriotism.

Martin Cherniack

Clinton