Last week offered a time to remember Will Rogers and his statement, "I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat."
What has happened to our state's Democrat Party?
Simcha Felder, a Brooklyn Democrat, plans to vote with the Republicans for leadership of the Senate because that will be better for his constituents.
Yet, his alleged Democrat Party takes no action against him. Who is making that determination?
Mr. Felder ran as a Democrat, won as Democrat, likely had financial and other support as a Democrat.
It still appears as if Democrats may control the Senate, the Assembly and the governorship. With all those Democrats, if a real Democratic Party existed, Mr. Felder would be drummed out, sued for the return of support of his campaign and promised a nomination of someone else in two years.
The party should show its entire membership penalties against Mr. Felder and his district to every extent possible.
I have no problem with independent thinking. But leadership and direction of legislative bodies is a political decision. And persons elected as Democrats have a moral as well as political obligation to ensure Democrat control and direction of such legislative bodies. After that, they can vote their conscience, or self-interest, or district interest.
WILLIAM T. TYRRELL
Voorheesville
