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President Trump’s Legacy

January 17, 2021by Phil Orenstein in Club News

Despite the hatred by the left who can never credit Trump with having done anything right, we present his record of great achievements:

*Enacted the largest tax cuts and reforms in American history.

*Set and broke record highs of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and NASDAQ,

*Withdrew from the job-and-trade-killing Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and NAFTA, replacing it with the new U.S.-Canada-Mexico Trade Agreement. Brought back manufacturing industry to the U.S. and increased “Made in the U.S.A.” production while securing access to new markets for America’s farmers. Also withdrew from the job-killing Paris climate agreement, which would have cost the U.S. nearly $3 trillion and led to 6.5 million fewer industrial sector jobs by 2040.

*Stopped the insane vassal-lord dysfunctional and lopsided China-U.S. relationship, confronting China’s unfair trade practices after years of Washington looking the other way.

*Reached record low unemployment rates for African-American, Hispanic and Asian-Americans prior to the pandemic and returning now to the policies to resurrect them.

*Improved U.S. health care: Eliminated health insurance tax, medical devices tax, Cadillac tax, largest decrease of prescription drug costs in a half century, signed the most comprehensive childhood cancer legislation ever into law, which will advance childhood cancer research and improve treatments. Enacted changes to the Medicare 340B program, saving seniors an estimated $320 million on drugs in 2018 alone.

*Signed groundbreaking Criminal Justice Reform. Secured and protected the U.S. Constitution: Utilized executive privilege and legislative assistance to further secure religious freedoms as well as rights of the unborn with unprecedented presidential passion. Rated by Heritage Foundation as one of the greatest presidential advocates of our Second Amendment rights.

*Built and bolstered 415 miles of new border wall at the U.S. southern border.

*Appointed three amazing and scholarly justices to the U.S. Supreme Court.

*Confirmed more than 220 federal judges who interpret the Constitution as written.

*Built up and bolstering all U.S. military branches around the world and defeating ISIS and other extremists, killing ISIS leader al Baghdadi, Qassem Soleimani, Hamza bin Laden, Qassim al-Rimi, and freeing from captivity more than a dozen American hostages from all over the world. Launched U.S. Space Force as a new branch of the military and relaunched the National Space Council.

*Built up and bolstered America’s standing and strength in the International Community: Withdrew from shady Iran nuclear deal, moved the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, initiated Israel-UAE (and other surrounding nations) accord, providing more stability and commerce in the Middle East.

*Conducted historic summit with North Korean President Kim Jong-un, bringing beginnings of peace and denuclearization to the Korean Peninsula. Held the Cuban regime accountable for political oppression and human rights abuses.

*Signed the VA Accountability Act, improving health care for veterans.

Putting New York Back on Track

December 27, 2020by Phil Orenstein in Club News

Queens Village Eagle, January 2021, Cover Story by Alex Amoroso

Eight long years of ineffective and pathetic leadership are finally coming to a close. Most New Yorkers can agree that the de Blasio administration has been a disaster for New York City. While de Blasio was elected to work for the advancement of the people of New York, he worked for nobody but himself. Instead of working for New Yorkers he engaged in petty squabbles with other politicians. Instead of working to remedy New York’s floundering public school system, he promoted overtly racist policies that deepened the racial divisions in our country. He proudly spat on New York’s finest and presided over the sharpest increase in crime in decades. He allowed the homeless and needy to aimlessly wander the streets. He oversaw the decimation of New York’s economy and the flight of thousands from our city. It is safe to say de Blasio, his acolytes in the city council, and his financial enablers have run this city into the ground after decades of painstakingly trying to bring it back to life. 

New York was not in a good place after the 2008 recession. In eight years de Blasio accelerated trends that Mayor Giuliani and Mayor Bloomberg spent twenty years trying to avoid. People are fleeing New York in droves. Everyday New York City loses a net average of 300 people, and the reasons for this flight from New York are evident. Our schools are failing, one in every four students fail to graduate high school on time. Barely 60% of our children are proficient in English and mathematics. Instead of allocating the necessary resources such as updated textbooks, school supplies, technology, critical school renovations and increased staff numbers, de Blasio and his goon Chancellor Carranza try to implement forms of neo-segregationist and racially discriminatory policies targeting White and Asian students with laser beam precision. Instead of trying to uplift struggling students from impoverished backgrounds, the mayor chooses to bring down students who are not. 

Currently there is an exploding homeless population. Over 50,000 New Yorkers are homeless, many of them children. Many go not knowing when their next meal will be. Many are facing substance abuse or have mental health issues that are going untreated. While shelters, charities, and nonprofits desperately need funding, de Blasio sees it more fit to disperse people, many struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues, in hotels across residential neighborhoods praying that the problem will magically disappear. Instead of providing substantive solutions such as rent controls, rezoning, the deregulation of the construction industry to remedy New York’s chronic housing shortage, de Blasio and the Democrats at large run and hide from our problems or engage in a propaganda war hoping we will not realize.

For decades New York City struggled with crime. At one point New York City was one of the most dangerous cities in North America. Just when New York was finally getting its crime pandemic under control de Blasio came in and unravelled a half century of work in months. Instead of encouraging our men and women in uniform he used his microphone as mayor to spew hatred and venom at police. His words gave terrorist the green light to attack and murder those who are sworn to protect us. Infamously in 2017 as one of New York’s finest, Officer Miosotis Familia lay dying in St. Barnabas Hospital, de Blasio thought it was more important to be in Germany rioting with his fellow anarchist, socialist and communist. In 2020 as these same radicals pillaged their way through New York and the rest of the country, destroying everything in their wake he did not denounce them for looting, assault and the spread of coronavirus, he openly gave them his blessing. 

 The failure of de Blasio’s economic agenda has destroyed New York’s already stumbling economy. His model of discouraging business, lack of infrastructure investment, tax and spend, spend more than you have, and spend on programs and projects the city does not need has been a disaster. When people fleeing New York City are asked why they are fleeing, the number one reason is the high taxes. It is one thing to tax at high rates in exchange for meaningful social programs and tangible results, but we do not get that, instead our money disappears. These high taxes are causing the rich to leave the city and even the state. 50% of New York City’s taxes come from 1% of New York’s population. This flight of the upper and middle class has not only caused the inflation of New York’s deficit, it increases the tax burden on everyday New Yorkers who are already strapped for cash. 

New York is better than this. New York can do better. It is time for New York to turn a new leaf. Many say New York is dead, however I would strongly disagree. Being the eternal optimist that I am, New York is not dead. New York is the greatest city in the world. The capital of the world cannot die. If New Yorkers band together and work to elect principled leaders with real ideas, real solutions and who want to work for we the people, New York will be able to find herself back on track. 

Alex Amoroso is a Young Republican currently attending Queens High School for Language Studies, a Catechism Teacher at Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, and member of the Queens Village Republican Club. Alex is planning to run as a Republican candidate for New York City Council in District #23. He can be reached at alexamoroso4nyc@gmail.com

A CHRISTMAS REMEMBERED

December 23, 2020by Phil Orenstein in Club News

by  Frederick R. Bedell Jr.,  Grand Knight of St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus Council #5911

Editor’s Note: this was written over a month ago, but is still as much of a heartwarming read right before Christmas Eve. A very Merry Christmas to all our members, readers, friends and families!

Christmas is next month, and there is much for many of us to think about, and that is gifts to buy and the cards that need to be sent out and the many decorations that need to be hanged around our homes. But for myself it is a time to reflect about the troubles in the world and our nation. Like our nation at war, terrorists seeking to harm innocents people, not to mention the great loss of lives due to the COVID-19 virus that has taken over 200,000 lives in our country alone and thousands more world-wide.

I also think of racial unrest. The message of the season is,’ peace on Earth and goodwill toward men.” Yet where is it ? This is when many of us reflect on the gentler times in our past. My memories take me back to 1957, it was the Cold World, but at eight years old I didn’t care nor much understand those things.

I was living in a corner house in Queens Village with my mother and father and two elderly boarders my mother would care for. We didn’t have much money but always had a good Christmas – full of love and sharing and plenty of music, which my mother said, “was tonic for the soul.”

A few evenings before Christmas my father and I set out to buy our Christmas tree, but my father’s car would not start. It was a cold, crisp and snow was falling on the ground. My father had a idea so my mother wouldn’t be disappointed: We took my  sled to a place where they sold Christmas trees on Francis Lewis Boulevard which was about a half a mile away. And with the snow on the ground this adventure was a done deal. When we got there, my father picked out a beautiful six-footer, we tied it on top of my sled and took it home to our house on 213th Street. We proceeded to sing Christmas carols all the way home. Back at home my mother had a special place in front of the fireplace for the tree. Our job was done once it was settled in the stand, then my mother took over, decorating it with love and devotion to every detail.

Kindness and love seemed to bounce from house to house in those days, and neighbors greeted one another with a,” Merry Christmas,” as carolers sang from house to house. Churches were beaming with worshipers. I myself sang in the choir. Christmas meant a lot back than, and I can’t help but wonder if that kind of Christmas will ever return. The picture perfect Christmases of our memories may have been laced with imperfections, but I still think that they were better than the frenzied days we have now. I can’t help but hope and pray that America returns to family values, and to live out the true meaning of Christmas which is peace, kindness and goodwill to all we meet. May God bless you all and God bless America.

Sincerely Yours,
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Bellerose, N.Y.

Keep the faith, stay strong and never lose hope!

December 21, 2020by Phil Orenstein in Club News

President’s Message Jan 2021 by Phil Orenstein

I hope all our club members, families and friends are enjoying a cheerful Chanukah and Christmas holiday season. We have a lot to celebrate! We wish everyone a most happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year as we enter 2021, and leave 2020 in the dust.

As we put the lid on the old, and kick off the New Year, it’s important to reaffirm the mission and principles of America’s oldest Republican club. Simply put, it is to uphold and spread the principles of the Republican Party and elect strong Republicans who uphold these principles, which we consistently list at the beginning of every club meeting.

We affirm our total support for our Police and Firefighters, and for our great President Donald Trump and his America First agenda. We believe President Trump won re-election by a landslide of legal votes and we won’t give up until the massive voter fraud is exposed and overturned. The election is still far from over, and we will keep up the fight until we see President Trump inaugurated on January 20 for four more years of American greatness!

2020 has been a good year for us as a club, despite the outbreak of the virus, tyrannical lockdowns, restaurants closing, crime and chaos, rioting mobs and destruction, and people flooding the exits to leave our once great City of New York. Through it all, we’ve been out in public sharing folks’ worries and frustrations, and encouraging fellow patriots that the Republican Party is alive and well in Queens!

Recalling the opening months of 2020, as the pandemic suddenly hit us with a vengeance, we held a virtual Lincoln Dinner for the first time ever. Every year we put together a gala Lincoln Dinner at Antun’s with hundreds in attendance. Together with nationally renowned speakers, local heroes, and honorees, we celebrate Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican president and founder of our Party in a great display of patriotism and unity. This year our keynote speaker was to be Steve Bannon and guest speaker, the British freedom fighter, Katie Hopkins.

However due to the pandemic, one week before the event in March, Antun’s was ordered to shut down and there would be no dinner party. But our Ways and Means committee came together immediately and rapidly switched gears and organized the great event on Zoom.

It was an amazing success story, setting the example of triumph over adversity. It’s significant that some beautiful personal success stories emerged. After being fittingly honored and recognized, our Businessman of the Year, Mike Amvros, owner of the famous Oasis Café in Bayside, was deeply encouraged to forge ahead and overcome his setback of a debilitating illness and business shut down. He determined to fight back and emerged thriving financially and enjoyed extraordinary success in the later half of the year.

Also noteworthy, was our World War II Veteran of the Year honoree, Sgt. Philip Kahn, who had turned 100 prior to his appearance at the virtual event where he proudly spoke about how honored he was to be able to serve the U.S.A. in the Pacific Theater as a co-pilot on Iwo Jima, alongside so many of the most courageous Americans who have ever lived. Shortly after the gala event, he passed away due to the virus, and its significance strangely enough, bookended a century since his twin brother died from the Spanish Flu in 1920. View the entire video of the extraordinary virtual event on our website, including our incredible honorees, Dawn Eskew, recipient of the Sanctity of Life Award, Religious Freedom honoree, Rabbi Menashe Bovit, and the inimitable Gavin Wax, Young Republican of the Year, and others.

We kept making headway through the brutal winter and spring months of the pandemic. We held topical monthly Zoom club meetings with great speakers, such as Gordon Chang illuminating the threat of China, Curtis Sliwa founder of the Guardian Angels, now running for mayor, and many more.

We also had a session with Congresswoman-elect Nicole Malliotakis, on her road to victory. At her request, we brought a team down to Bay Ridge Brooklyn for a Day of Action and knocked on doors of all voters, to Get Out the Vote. She has just created the “Freedom Force” in the House to fight against AOC, the Squad, and Socialism, and will be giving us an update at our January 7th meeting.

On to the summer, after months in isolation, it was great to see everyone at our club’s electrifying dinner meeting at the Triple Crown Diner tent, with local Republican candidates and Bevelyn Beatty, a courageous young patriot who spread paint across the BLM mural on 5th Ave. We held an outdoor backyard meeting to “Salute our Police,” with our member, Lawrence Block and his Zuckery Bo Band, performing “It’s Just a Matter of Time,” blasting the lockdown and oppressive government overreach. All our Lincoln Dinner honorees were there as well to receive their awards in person.

We participated in “Support our Local Police” rallies, car caravans, the “Save Teddy” protest, and we even went to campaign for President Trump in the battleground state of PA with Diane Atkins, co-chair of the Mighty American Strike Force for New York.

We answered the tyrannical authorities and the anarchist mobs, with incisive press releases, targeted calling campaigns, talk radio and TV appearances, and articles which were published nationally on such topics as the unconstitutional lockdown and contract tracing fiasco, standing up for our police, and standing against the “defund the police” insanity, urging the exodus of Jewish voters from the Party of socialism and anti-Semitism, blasting the mob attacks on our private property rights, and many others.

Due to the pandemic, we missed our annual Historic Bus Tour, nor could we participate in local parades, but we have exciting events lined up for 2021 and expect the best to come. Please join our club if you’re not already a member. Please donate to support our work to make Queens Republican again! Through our efforts we will build and galvanize our fellow Republicans. Most of all keep the faith, stay strong and never lose hope. We will prevail!

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