Congressional candidates jostle for votes in Tuesday’s Primary

By North American Correspondent

This Tuesday, June 26, is Primary Election day for those candidates seeking Congressional office.  Voting will be from 6:00am until 9:00pm in virtually all public schools and some libraries.  Observers are keenly watching the outcome of the 6th CD race that incorporates North Richmond Hill and parts of Jamaica where thousands of Guyanese are settled. Three candidates  – Rory Lancman (Jewish), Grace Meng (Chinese), and Elizabeth Crowley (Irish) – are vying for the open seat to replace retiring Congressman Gary Ackerman (Jewish).
The candidates are jostling for votes among the minority communities taking their messages directly to voters. Guyanese are divided in their support with some going for Liz Crowley  and others Lancman.  Both have regularly attended Guyanese functions including the Diwali and Phagwah Parades.  Meng has not had much socializing among Guyanese.
The gloves have come off among the three leading candidates as they debate each other over social security benefits to retirees. Rory Lancman has criticized Meng and Crowley over social security benefits arguing that the wealthy should pay more taxes. Crowley and Meng fired back saying they are against tax hikes.
Lancman said that at current rates the fund will be unable to meet its obligations by 2033. He said eliminating the cap on income that is subject to Social Security taxes — now $110,600 — would make the fund solvent for 75 years. “People are all contributing to Social Security, but not all are contributing equally,” he said.
Meng said there was no immediate crisis, and Crowley’s contention that adding jobs in an economic recovery will help make the fund flush. “We shouldn’t kick the can down the road or bury our heads in the sand,” he said, calling himself “the only candidate in the 6th District race who has offered a real plan” for saving Social Security.
Crowley said raising taxes is exactly what we don’t need to help Social Security,” Crowley said. “I’m sorry that Mr. Lancman thinks that it is a good idea. My plan is to put people back to work and keep Republicans from cutting Social Security.”
Meng took Crowley to task saying: “We have a serious, structural problem with Social Security,” she said. “Anyone who contends that we can merely grow our way out of the problem either misunderstands it or misrepresents it for political purposes.”