Op-Ed: Why I’m voting for Astorino

Crown Heights community member Mendy Hecht makes the case in this op-ed that his fellow voters should throw their support behind Rob Astorino, the Republican challenger to the Democratic Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo, in today’s election:

I’m writing you as a fellow New Yorker, private citizen and a fellow Jew, to ask you to vote for Rob Astorino.  Here’s why:

1. Rob Astorino’s personal moral values are far closer to ours than Mr. Cuomo.
2. Rob Astorino will cut property and other taxes, reducing the cost of living.
3. Rob Astorino has a better plan to drastically increase jobs and decrease unemployment in New York–and we all know people out of work.
4. Rob Astorino is pro-school choice–yeshivah vouchers, tax credits and other help for the Orthodox community.

Remember that Cuomo vetoed the one Agudah-pushed private-school tuition bill that finally made it to his desk with nary a thought.  There’s another bill on his desk that he promised to sign, but it’s been four years, and nothing’s happened.  He’s also under investigation by the federal government for corruption, has avoided all but one debate with Astorino (which he lost), and has spread lies about Astorino, like the false and ridiculous claim that he wants to puts guns in schools.

I understand we have a tradition of voting for the incumbent.

But we also have a tradition of voting בשלומה של מלכות –voting for what is best for the country we live in.  And right now, Rob Astorino–his economic, social and common-sense views–and especially his opposition to תועבה, make him the clear choice.  (Let’s not forget what the Torah tells us about lands that accepted תועבה–that alone is reason enough to vote for what the Ribbono Shel Olam wants for every country, not just ארץ הקודש.)

In this case, given the economic and moral climate of this state (and country), it is imperative for all of us–even those who normally bloc-vote Democratic–to act in the best interests of not just our community, but of our state and country, too.

And that means one thing today: Vote for Rob Astorino.