Political philosophies force change in affiliation
SATISH MOHAN Amherst Supervisor
Atheir people into various philosophic divisions and have named them political parties. All of these parties built their platforms for public good. Democrats aligned with labor unions that were being exploited by their employers, and the Republicans got closer to business groups to support the growth of the economy and to sustain and expand employment.

I joined the Republican Party for this reason and its belief in fewer taxes and smaller government.

Over time, however, the politicians have gravitated toward campaign financiers and promises of votes. The greed for office has taken over the resolve for public good. Republicans pretend to be pro-business while seeking endorsements from labor unions; Democrats blindly show their support for labor unions.

In our town, both business and union labor account for less than 1 percent each. This 2 percent of Amherst residents are well-supported by the politicians, while the remaining 98 percent have been ignored. They live on the hype of "safest town" and "best services," pay very high taxes, and are constantly fighting to maintain their lifestyles.

The foundation of our society - our Constitution - was written for "We the People." This 98 percent of the people have been dominated by 2 percent of the extremities. We cannot go too far and for too long in this mode. We have prospered in democracy, and "We the People" - the Amherstonians - should rise to ensure that their government works for them. I am suggesting two steps:

• The 98 percent group of Amherstonians should immediately form an active union - the "Amherst Taxpayers Union" or "We the Amherstonians" - and seek membership at $1 per year. Please enroll me as a member of your union. Their elected team should then work to achieve what is best for them and the next generations.

• I will soon register myself as a Democrat and work toward expanding the Democratic Party's base to include the 98 percent population of "We the People." Once their focus enlarges to 99 percent of the people, the Democrats will see the value of lower taxes and smaller government, I hope. Having been in the Republican Party for several years, I know I will never be successful in expanding on their 1 percent base. I am absolutely disillusioned by how they think and operate. They have outlived their utility for the people. I had joined the Republican Party that supported business, that created more and more jobs and that generated wealth

through manufacturing. They, however, ended up exporting jobs and manufacturing and importing foreign goods, all for their short-term profits. Also, in Iraq, Republicans treated human lives as a commodity, which can be traded for a promise of wealth.

During the last two years, my actions for the good of Amherstonians have been opposed by most Republican members of the Town Board, and Democrats have not voted with me because they are the other party. My being a Republican, therefore, is hurting the very cause that I stand for and for which the people elected me. My loyalty and my wholehearted effort are, and will always be, to the people of Amherst.