NY State Assembly Member, Marc Alessi wins my Founding Fathers award

By Mary MacElveen
November 23, 2009

In these dire economic times, we the people would love nothing more than to sock the nearest politician in the nose as we face such hardships trying to survive. We also often hear the term: “Walking the walk” as opposed to “Talking the talk” We the people love the former and despise the latter.

As a cashier for a grocery store, I am highly sensitive to the plight of the hungry when so many stick to their budgets or cannot purchase food items in these lean times or on the other end, those lucky enough to purchase their turkeys and all the trimmings that go with it.

On Thanksgiving Day we must be mindful that there are millions of Americans from coast-to-coast who will go without as opposed to many who cannot put one more morsel in their mouths. I just wish that Washington would think of that for at least once as they stuff their pockets with campaign donations coming from lobbyists.

In retrospect, I get sick-and-tired of politicos yapping their gums on any news program and just want them to get the job done to serve the needs of we the people. Don’t you? People are literally starving out there.

In ringing up my customer’s sales today, there were many who stated: “Can you please put these items in a separate bag so I can donate them to the man collecting food for the hungry outside?” With that, I said: “Yes, I will.” I wondered who this man was and it was not until my break time did I know who he was. The man turned out to be Marc Alessi who is a New York State Assembly member and one that I came to know through local politics. He was out there for hours collecting food for Island Harvest whose mission is to feed Long Island’s poor and hungry. Good on, Marc!

Quite frankly, we were both surprised to see each other: me as a cashier and he collecting food for the hungry, but it was an enjoyable encounter.

As we look upon Washington, D.C. where many politicians are trying to stop health care for all, especially the poor and the hungry as well as Americans in general, here is a lone politician giving up a sunny Sunday in order to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves. How great is that?!

We are all but one paycheck away from being one of the millions that do go hungry day-to-day and it is truly an honor to know an elected leader in Marc Alessi whose call it is to walk the walk instead of talking the talk.

I hereby award my Founding Fathers award to Assembly member, Marc Alessi of the great state of New York for truly representing the needs of his constituents. Those being the hungry amongst us. Take that Sarah Palin as you try and enhance your financial portfolio in selling your book: “Going Rogue”

Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net

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