East Aurora Advertiser

A brighter future?




<p class=”normal”>Dear Editor,</p><p class=”normal”>The song goes “the times they are a changing.” And at the present time, not for the better.   Radical Republican extremists are trying to turn back the clock to a time when people of color were not fast becoming the majority and life was seemingly simpler.  There are those of us who remember “the good old days” if you mean the days following World War II.   Folks got married, dad got a job at the local mill where he would work for the rest of his life, had 2.5 kids and expected a better life for the kids at the end of it all.   But things changed.</p><p class=”normal”>The space race saw technology make huge leaps.  My father’s hand held calculator was a major innovation that could add, subtract, multiply and divide.  It replaced his slide rule, which I no longer remember how to use.  The small black and white television that got two channels has given way to politically polarized networks in high density color.  And the internet, which didn’t even exist back then, is now discussed as a basic need to function these days.</p><p class=”normal”>Women, who had gotten the right to vote only decades before and had worked in the factories during the war, wanted to have businesses of their own, not to mention get equal pay with men.   Equal rights for blacks started to become a reality except in the deep-south during the 1960’s and strides continue to be made.  And then, along came lesbians, gays and transgender people seeking recognition and now being allowed to marry someone of the same sex!  Unthinkable in the good old days.</p><p class=”normal”>But here we are with a President in charge of the Republican Party who is trying to roll back these gains.  And to some extent he has been successful thus far in his administration.  Certainly the Republicans stole a Supreme Court seat with the placement of Neil Gorsuch, but I have to believe that despite now having the opportunity to appoint an ultra-conservative judge to replace Justice Kennedy, the Democrats will remember and return the favor when given the chance.</p><p class=”normal”>Now add in Trump policies that would revive pre- World War II isolationist America.  Muslim bans, refusing to admit refugees from anywhere, and certainly not from Central America and detaining children are close-minded and short-sighted.   Not to mention, starting a trade war with the whole world that we cannot win and will hurt our economy. </p><p class=”normal”>Going back is not a viable option.   Borders need to be open as does trade.  People of all races and religions need to be treated with respect.  Different points of view need to be tolerated at minimum.</p><p class=”normal”>There are those who are feeling despair at this time.   But keep in mind that all of the fights that were won over the last 60 or so years suffered setbacks.   While most of my contemporaries and I may not live to see the pendulum swing back to a more progressive America, be sure that it will.  </p><p class=”normal”>In the meantime, get out and vote.  The next generation is making their way into our political system.  Luke Wochensky, a Colden born lawyer, is running for State Assembly and Nate McMurray, the Town Supervisor of Grand Island is running for Congress.  </p><p class=”normal”>The possibility of a brighter future is happening now.   Help make it a reality.</p><p class=”normal”>Sincerely,</p><p class=”normal”>Raymond Castro, Glenwood</p>

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