Too Few Get Too Much - Hinchey hopes Obama will invert tax structure, take big oil to task

Two score and ten turned out last Sunday for a community forum hosted by Saugerties favorite son and congressman Maurice Hinchey. The event at the Saugerties Senior Center, billed as a mini-speech and feedback session, centered on economic issues.

     

Hinchey wasted no time getting down to business.

"I'm deeply concerned about our economy," said Hinchey. "More than 50
percent of the wealth in this country is in the hands of the top five
percent of citizens. Wealth at the top is getting more dense, while more
people are on food stamps than ever before. The whole system is going to
eventually collapse unless we do something."

Hinchey spoke for about 30 minutes before opening up the floor. In
addition to economic concerns, attendees asked about health care, media
reform, unions and other issues.

Jo Galante, government affairs director for Ulster-Greene ARC, spoke
about the negative impact of the economy on ARC's employees. "Four
employees had to quit because they couldn't afford gas," she said. "They
are very concerned about their standard of living. Many of them live
paycheck to paycheck. I think it's important for our neighbors to hear
about the economic crisis and how it impacts social services and county
budgets."

Jerome Taub, who described himself as a retired farmer from Woodstock,
was also concerned. "I feel there's a great chance of an economic
depression, and the government does not really understand it," he said.

Other attendees, including current Ulster County administrator and
county executive candidate Mike Hein, were there to observe rather than
speak. "Coming out to events like this provides a wonderful opportunity
to be able to hear the concerns and questions from the citizens," he said.

"I wanted to see what congressman Hinchey has to say," said David
Tapper, a retired filmmaker from Woodstock. "I think he's one of the
most important liberal voices in the Congress, and I am very concerned
about the economy and a potential attack on Iran."

Hinchey reserved some of his harshest criticism for the oil companies,
dissecting the methods they use to keep prices high -- including opting
out of drilling on the large tracts of public land where I was permitted
in order to keep supplies tight.

"Exxon Mobil made more than $40 billion in profits last year," said
Hinchey. "And 32 billion of those dollars were used to buy back their
own stock, for their own benefits."

What needed to implement changes? Hinchey emphasized his populist message.

He focused on the importance of the upcoming elections this November. "I
am very, very hopeful that we will have a stronger Congress next year,"
he said. "I also think that senator [Barack] Obama has a lot of
capability. I think he's a very insightful person. I hope and believe he
will be elected president in November."

Hinchey held out hope that things can change.

"We're in a tough time, but we have the ability to work ourselves out of
it," he said. "We can change the tax laws and give lower taxes to
middle-income people and give appropriate taxes to those making
millions. I think it is absolutely necessary for people to come
together. We don't want this country to be run by a king and a small
group of lords while the rest of us are serfs. We don't want to become
medieval. We must remember that every citizen is important."