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Democrats Need To Recapture The Party From Ramapo Democrats Serving Republican Interests
By Susan Shapiro
How did progressive Rockland County turn into a MAGA red county, re-electing Republican Mike Lawler to Congress. The answer is simple – Rockland’s Democratic party is run by the Republican bloc vote which controls the Town of Ramapo.
Ramapo is the largest of the five towns and has more democratic committee members than any other Town – and thus controls the Rockland County’s democratic party. Yet in at least 4 districts (35,45,84,87) in the Town of Ramapo the democratic presidential candidate didn’t even receive one vote, not even from the Democratic Committee member from that district.
Although Ramapo democratic claim to be democrats they actually vote Republican and should not be allowed to control the agenda for the other towns, but they do. Leadership in the Town of Ramapo Democratic Party controls the entire County’s Democratic party, yet leadership hasn’t delivered votes for democrats, but rather supports Republican candidates.
What values do the ultra orthodox share with antisemitic MAGA Republicans who praise Hitler? Both groups support racial and religious segregation, white supremacy and the dismantling of the public education system.
Sadly, the mantra since World War II “We must never forget” has been forgotten. This mantra is supposed to be a reminder to remember the millions of people who were murdered during the Holocaust, and to also raise awareness about contemporary forms of hatred and prejudice. Yet, prejudice and hatred against people of color has created segregated housing and schools in Ramapo. These are MAGA Republican, not Democratic party values.
It is well past time for Rockland and New York State Democrats, including Governor Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James, to open their eyes, to acknowledge the sham that Ramapo’s Democratic party has become.
If Democrats want to move Rockland back to blue and end this wolf in sheep’s clothing problem the Rockland County Democratic Party committees for Clarkstown, Haverstraw, Orangetown and Stony Point need to form a new Rockland Democratic Party, i.e. “Rockland Democrats East”, which does not include the Town of Ramapo. If not, no one should be surprised if Rockland remains a MAGA Republican stronghold.
The answer lies with the reality that the Rockland Democratic Party is controlled by the Town of Ramapo.
This letter solely reflects the views of the author. Susan Shapiro practices land use and environmental law.
