Long to Governor:

New Yorkers Won't Be Steamrolled By Political Promises

Ft. Hamilton Station, NY – New York State Conservative Party Chairman, Michael R. Long sent the following letter to Governor Eliot Spitzer today, telling him that his obligation to all New Yorkers out weights the promises made to political parties. The letter follows:


October 1, 2007


Hon. Eliot Spitzer

Governor State of New York

Executive Chamber

State Capitol

Albany, NY 12224


Dear Governor Spitzer:

As the leader of one of the viable political parties in New York State, I understand how important it is to fulfill pledges made to it when seeking public office. However, the commitment made to the citizens of New York State when you took the oath of office as Governor far out weights the wishes of a minor party.

Bad ideas do not make good government.

Your proposal to disregard Section 502 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, which states, "the commissioner also shall require that the applicant provide his or her social security number" is a very bad idea that has the potential to harm the citizens of New York State.

It takes a great leader (the man portrayed to the people of New York and whom they thought they voted for last November) to admit that he has made a mistake. Governor Spitzer, you indicate that you do not believe that employees of the Department of Motor Vehicles should act as employees of the Citizenship and Immigration Services, yet, you expect these same employees to recognize and accept a foreign passport or other documents, for example, birth certificates from foreign countries that can easily be forged as identification. And you neglect to tell the taxpayers of New York State how much your new anti-fraud measures that include photograph-comparison technology will cost.

To assume that the Federal Government will rescind the requirements of Real ID, based on the safe guards New York State implemented after 9/11, is just wishful thinking. The safety of America is at stake...do you really want to be the person who eases restrictions thereby making every American more vulnerable?

Governor Spitzer, New Yorkers will not be steamrolled. You took an oath of office to protect us. Your moral obligation is to protect those citizens who uphold the laws of the land...not to provide solid identification to those who have no regard for our laws.

 

Michael R. Long

State Chairman


 

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