Fran Becker Welcomed In Woodmere

A standing-room-only crowd of well-wishers and supporters came to greet Fran Becker last week in Woodmere. The event was held at the home of Dr. David and Mrs. Malky Galler. I assumed that Dr. Galler must somehow be well-connected to host an event of this sort. His uncle’s brother’s cousin must be the campaign manager. A more plausible explanation is that Dr. Galler is Fran Becker’s dentist. Neither is true. Dr. Galler views himself as a poshiter Yid who seized the opportunity to do something for his community and for Israel. He has no political aspirations of his own.

What led to his awakening to the need for congressional change? During the flotilla crisis, Israel was being harpooned from all sides. Israel was sharply rebuked for its defensive actions. They were labeled the aggressor. This despite the fact that videos clearly showed Israeli soldiers were being attacked. Where were Israel’s supporters in Congress? Why were all our elected officials quiet save for Eric Cantor and Peter King? Where was Carolyn McCarthy? Shouldn’t she amplify our feelings and concerns? The sad truth is that she doesn’t.

Most of our community—and, for that matter, most Americans—were not in favor of Obamacare. Yet, Carolyn McCarthy still voted in favor of it. One provision of this federal law mandates that the states provide insurance and will cost New York $1 billion. That can only mean higher taxes for all of us.

Dr. Galler said that there are 15,000 Orthodox families in our area and we are a large enough constituent base to have a congressperson who actually represents us. Why should we leave the state of affairs to the status quo, if we have the power to change it?

At the event, we were privileged to hear from the candidate himself. Fran Becker said that he has been hearing from seniors that they are afraid of losing their doctors. Obamacare authorized the government to cut reimbursement rates for doctors seeing Medicare patients. Already many doctors refrain from seeing Medicare patients because of the low reimbursement rate. Obamacare just exasperates this already untenable situation.

Fran Becker knows what type of burden tuition is placing on our families. He comes from a family of 12. His parents wanted him to have a solid religious education, so they sent him to a private school. He knows how difficult it is for parents, especially with large families, to put food on the table and pay for tuition. Yet at the same time these parents must maintain public schools with their high taxes. He is in favor of a tuition tax credit. Parents who pay tuition out of their pocket would get a tax credit or refund from the Unites States government.

Fran Becker knows that the U.S. government must view the security and prosperity of Israel as a vital U.S. interest. The world gauges America’s strength and resolve by its treatment of Israel, and every U.S. effort to protect and defend Israel’s interests is viewed accordingly. Pressuring Israel to make painful concessions in the name of peace is farcical, considering the numerous painful concessions Israel has made so far. Israel must not make any additional concessions until Israel receives full recognition as a Jewish State, including removing any expectation of a Palestinian “right of return” to lands designated as Israel’s after the final-stage negotiations.

Fran Becker’s view on Iran is clear and unambiguous. A nuclear-armed Iran is an existential threat to Israel, the entire Middle East, and the world as a whole. All options to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power must be considered, including conventional military means or otherwise.

Why didn’t Carolyn McCarthy have any event in the Five Towns? Someone contacted her campaign and they explained that the Jewish community historically doesn’t vote in midterm congressional elections. To stay in power, she is counting on our not voting. Fran Becker has a lot of grassroots support. A month ago, Carolyn McCarthy enjoyed a 20-point lead in the polls. Now that has all but evaporated. The latest poll showed a statistical dead heat in the Becker–McCarthy matchup. The pollster noted, however, that clearly the excitement and momentum is on Fran Becker’s side. The only way McCarthy can possibly win is if we don’t vote.

At the event, Dr. Galler pointed to the map of our district and demonstrated how this election might very well be determined by the Five Towns community. Carolyn McCarthy has support in the areas around Mineola. Fran Becker has support in the areas around Lynbrook. The Five Towns community must come out in force on Election Day and vote for Fran Becker.