Dear Senator

When the New York State Senate rejected a bill that would have allowed gays to marry, I wrote an email to my senator Brian Foley.

Apparently Foley, a Democrat, voted for the bill after being swayed by the personal stories of those that ventured to Albany to speak to legislators. I had never emailed my senator and to be honest, I didn’t know who my senator was until that vote.

I'm so wrapped up in Nassau politics, I didn't know this guy represented me.

Last week I received an email from Foley’s campaign committee thanking me for my support on the issue of gay marriage. The email then asked me to contribute for Foley’s campaign to get him back into Albany this year.

I decided to shoot Foley, or his committee, an email back. I let him know that I had not forgotten that the senate took an entire month off and were in fact paid for it. I reminded him that had I pulled that same stunt I would have been fired.

I also informed him that I do not feel politicians act in the best interests of their constituents, but for their own personal gain and until that changes I wouldn’t be voting in any election, locally or nationally.

Finally, I noted that I don’t plan on being in New York by the next election because the cost of living on Long Island is forcing me to move to a cheaper area.

Now, I don’t know Foley and I’m sure he’s an okay guy, but I’m a tad bit frustrated with politics these days. This BS between Democrats and Republicans has reached epic proportions and the people are suffering. Just quit your bitching at each other and work together to try to get this country back on track. Put your philosophies aside, talk to the idiots that voted for your incompetent asses and do what needs to be done to get this country back to the caliber that it SHOULD be.

Never mind the fact that this country is run by those with the most monetary backing for better or worst. Maybe if I had a few million to throw at a politician they would do me a solid and pass a bill to allow gays to marry, or legalize pot, or hell, make January 30 National Kitten Day.

On the hyper-local level, I’m leaving because Long Island is ridiculously expensive and no one seems to be doing anything about it. There’s a lot of talk, but no action. Eventually Long Island will be an island of the wealthy, since only those with big paychecks will be able to afford the taxes.

Even at this point, if I could afford to stay in New York, I don’t know if I would.

*Editor’s Note: Let’s be real, I’m sure North Carolina has its own set of issues, but at least it’s possible to make a decent living.

On Jan 20, 2010, at 8:12 AM, Senator Brian X. Foley wrote:

Thank you for your kind words regarding my recent vote on the marriage equality bill that came before the State Senate.  I, and many of my colleagues, believe this is truly an issue of civil rights and the separation of church and state.  The speeches delivered on the floor of the Senate that day were some of the finest speeches I have heard in my time as an elected official.  They were heartfelt, moving, and, in the final analysis, persuasive.

During my first year in the Senate, I have fought the tough fights – protecting education funding, standing up for the rights of our workers, and being a voice in Albany for the needs of Long Island.  I feel blessed to be able to fight these battles.  And now, I am facing a tough electoral fight – one which I fully intend to win.  But I cannot do it alone.  I need your help in order to continue to make your voice heard in Albany.

Please consider contributing $50, $100, $250, $500, or more, to help send me back to Albany.  To contribute, please visit my ActBlue page: http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/20512.

The contribution limit for my race is $9,500.  Please note that political contributions are not tax deductible.

Over the last year, we have been able to work together to begin to bring change to New York.  But there is still more to be done – and I need your help to do it!  Please visit my ActBlue page today and help me keep fighting to make your voice heard in Albany.

Thank you,

Brian X. Foley

New York State Senator

3rd District

Dear Senator Foley,

While I approve of your support for gay marriage, I have not forgotten that members of the Senate did not work for an entire month last year and still received a paycheck. If I were to have done that I would have been fired immediately. I do not blame you for that debacle, but I think a message needs to be sent to all politicians that many feel our elected officials no longer represent our interests and I will not vote in any election until that attitude changes. That said, I am in the process of relocating to North Carolina because the cost of living is too high on Long Island, a problem that everyone talks about, but no one addresses.

Please take me off any mailing list my email address has been placed on.

Thank you,

Ariella