Issues
Growing Public Safety Crisis in Buffalo
According to the most recent data from the FBI, the total crime rate in Buffalo is 4,098.5 per 100,000 people. That's 74.70% higher than the national rate of 2,346.0 per 100,000 people and 130.97% higher than the New York total crime rate of 1,774.5 per 100,000 people-FBI UCR Program 2019
As we enter a new year and political season, elected officials' calls to "defund the police" will no doubt continue, and the consequences are harmful because:
It lowers support for training. Defunding the police removes the resources needed to ensure officers have trained appropriately on using force and de-escalation techniques.
It impedes officer recruitment and retention. Officers are likely to quit or perform their jobs ineffectively due to burnout and chronic workplace stress. In addition, defunding the police places a significant strain on existing officers.
It allows dangerous, violent criminals to succeed. Police officers are the heroes in communities; they are brave and committed men and women who work daily, knowing the risk to their safety. These are the people we call when we have a car accident, see someone in trouble, or fear for our safety. These brave men and women run toward danger and violence when the natural reaction is to run away from it. Our law enforcement officers deserve the highest level of respect. We owe our law enforcement officers and their families our deep gratitude.
Controlling corruption is complex because it involves factors beyond law enforcement, such as the strength of the traditional family, neighborhoods, schools, and churches. Criminal experts and progressive politicians are likely to explain that solving crime is "difficult" and that there is little we can do. Ralph doesn't see it this way.
Our state Legislators are losing their resolve and have conceded to the extreme left pressure over the last few years. Things will likely worsen before they improve because unsound ideas and advisers still dominate criminal policies in this state. The people selling therapy for criminals are succeeding again based on the argument that prisons are crowded and there is no sense in spending more money on failed policies. Ralph's first order of business in Albany is to fend off more of the same policies which caused the crime epidemic in the first place.
Education
We are witnessing a disturbing trend in our k-12 school districts. Parent concerned about their child's education is considered domestic terrorists. Parents have every right to get involved with their local school boards. With the radical, racial, and sexual obscenities and child abuse occurring right before our eyes, parents must speak up for their children and defeat them!
Sadly, there is a concerted effort by the radical left to change the Christian nuclear family, destroy parenthood and eliminate the right of parents to raise and protect their children. In doing so, they shut down and erode parental rights on essential issues such as education and health decisions. Parents, this is the time to be bold and not restrained. Ralph will stand with you.
The Economy/Inflation
Inflation is at a 40-year high and hovering around 10%, and when you live paycheck to paycheck or on a fixed income, 10% can, and in most cases, negatively impacts a family's quality of life.
Ralph will combat inflation and the U.S. $31 trillion debt by working with trade unions to increase the production of essential commodities and the government to collect more revenues and spend less. Instead of creating more federal entitlements, he will break down barriers to private sector job creation and work with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to lower inflation.
The Second Amendment
Ralph supports our Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Our Founding Fathers sensibly included the 2nd Amendment in our Constitution, which guarantees, "The right of the people to bear and keep arms shall not be infringed." This fundamental Freedom protects the rights of gun owners and restrains the presence of criminal activity.
If domestic crime reduction is the aim of gun control activists, then those activists are aiming at the wrong tree. Gun-related crime is not the domain of the gun manufacturer. Most homicides committed with a firearm are not accidental; they are intentional. The spread of weapons is a fact, and there is no reasonable way to recall approximately 400 million weapons already on the streets. That being the case, future restrictions on gun sales would do nothing to curb homicides. Instead of limiting sales and purchases of guns, the far-left progressive Democrats need to spend more time and money on adequately enforcing existing laws; crime control must supersede gun control.
On the Border
Bad news: The Biden administration's efforts to dismantle the security of our nation's southern border have resulted in nearly 2.5 million illegal crossings and made communities less safe.
Fentanyl flows freely across our borders as seizures increased 134% in FY2021, and it is now the leading cause of death for Americans 18-45.
Good News: November 8 is just around the corner, and help is coming.