An open letter to U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman:
How dare you. You refused to respond to my letter dated Sept. 4 and my phone call to your office prior to the House of Representatives voting on the health reform bill — totally disregarding my asking of you, as your constituent, to vote the contrary.
This is not the first time you have insulted me. The first time was when you were actively involved in your Queens weekly newspaper and I was a volunteer doing the publicity for the county chapter of the Allergy Foundation of America.
I called to ask why your newspaper was the only local paper that would not accept, as a public service, our announcement that an allergy specialist —a medical doctor — would be addressing the public at Booth Memorial Hospital, now New York Hospital Queens, and would answer any questions regarding asthma.
Your answer was simple and to the point: “Do you know that I am running for office? What are you doing for me?”
I immediately threw the phone down. I cannot forget that harsh statement.
Where do you come off not recognizing my phone conversation with your aide just days before your vote on health reform when I requested you vote nay?
Not enough, you had the chutzpah to send me a letter dated six days after you voted contrary to my request, pointing out your rationale in favor of the plan. How dare you. You are my representative.
You have a right to vote for your personal beliefs, but not as my representative. I will do everything I can to expose you — even work for your next political opponent to replace you.
Carl Zimmerman
Oakland Gardens
