Letter writer needs broader view of democracy
May 14, 2020To the editor:
Michael Lewinski in his April 15 letter to the editor, “Rid us of evil,” addressed New York’s Democratic House of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s proposal for a “Green New Deal.” In his letter, Lewinski posed the question of how Thomas Paine would deal with her?
Lewinski said: “He would size her up and conclude she is no different than China’s Gen Secretary Xi Jinpring, the man who brought the Chinese Communist Party’s virus which plagues the world today.”
The writer added: “Like Xi Jinpring, AOC lies, makes outrageous claims and endangers others. Just as the United States is going to shun and shame China, American citizens should do likewise to her and her comrades in government.”
Lewinski’s attempt to link the young Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives to China and Communism is rooted in “McCarthyism.” Merriam-Webster defines it as a tactic used to publicize unsubstantiated allegations of political views held to be subversive.
According to biography.com, Ocasio-Cortez was born to a working class Puerto Rican family in the Bronx. At Boston University she majored in economics and international relations. After graduation, she returned home because of her father’s death in 2008 from cancer, taking low wage jobs working as a waitress and a bartender to keep the family afloat.
Running on the Democratic ticket for representative of New York’s 14th District, Ocasio-Cortez defeated Anthony Pappas, the Republican candidate, in the November 6, 2018 general election by a vote of 79.2 percent.
Ocasio-Cortez, the youngest woman ever elected to the House of Representatives at age 29, had an asteroid named after her in 2007 — “23238 Ocasio-Cortez.”
In a Feb. 17, 2014 letter to the editor in the Evansville Courier and Press, Lewinski wrote, “Progressives have gutted the Constitution,” by passing the 17th Amendment to the Constitution requiring U.S. Senators be elected by the popular vote rather than chosen by state legislators.
Lewinski doesn’t seem to appreciate America’s broader view of democracy.
—S.E. "Bud" Durcholz
Ireland
More on DuboisCountyHerald.com
-
Charlie's Purpose
Four-year-old Charlie Schnarr of Jasper was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of... -
Group encourages all to read and share
Susan Gossett wants more people to be able to go to faraway places right in the comfort of their... -
Fundraiser launches for historical marker at ISP post
Out of all eight Indiana State Police posts created when ISP was formed in the 1930s, the Jasper... -
County sees 44 new COVID-19 cases
The Indiana State Department of Health reported Friday 44 new COVID-19 cases in Dubois County. -
Forest seeks info on Buffalo Springs area
The Hoosier National Forest seeks information from the public about an area south of Paoli in... -
County records 50 more COVID-19 cases
The Indiana State Department of Health reported Thursday 50 new COVID-19 cases in Dubois County. -
Jasper fire department celebrates 125 years
The Jasper Volunteer Fire Department celebrated its 125th anniversary Wednesday. -
County sees 52 new COVID-19 cases
The Indiana State Department of Health reported Wednesday 52 new COVID-19 cases in Dubois County.