The Advocates on WVOX – AM Radio 1460-

Thursday morning August 2, at 9:00 am, I am hosting a show called “The Advocates” on WVOX- 1460 AM on your dial, or live streaming at www.wvox.com.  One can call the show at 914-636-0110 to reach us on the radio. The program this week will have as one of its guests, the distinguished journalist Mr. Milton Hoffman, who was with Westchester daily newspapers for 50 years.  Mr. Hoffman retired five years ago as senior editor with the Journal News. Our other guest will be the Hon. Martin J. Rogowsky, a member of the Westchester County Board of Legislators. Mr. Rogowsky represents the Sixth Legislative District of Harrison and its surrounding community. They will discuss the “ever evolving” changing political landscape of Westchester over the past 50 years and address questions regarding the future of our present electoral system.

Meanwhile the mission of the “Advocates” is to bring to the public differing views on current “public policy “ issues. The United States Constitution, ratified in 1789 is the framework of our laws. But “public policy” is the amplification of that framework of our laws. In other words, new laws are always being written and old laws are always being challenged. Eventually these challenges reach the Supreme Court for “Constitutional testing.” Out of those tests rulings either re-affirm or change law. Out of these changes, “public policy can shift dramatically, but the arguments, pro and con, can remain with us for many years.

“Public policy,” therefore, is what we as a nation legally and traditionally follow. Over the years the “public policy” of the United States has changed or has been modified greatly. As an example, “free public education” is the public policy of the United States. Also, over time great struggles have ensued over the control of the direction of “public policy” For example: free trade vs. protectionism, slavery vs. emancipation, state’s rights vs. Federalism, and an all-volunteer armed forces or the “draft.”

This morning I hope to address the issues of the “red and blue” electoral regions, the “open” primary, the future of the “two-party system,” the traditional means of voting, the “paper trail” with the new voting machines, and the low voter turnouts.

Richard J. Garfunkel