'We are being governed by morons'
Share this @internewscast.com

Nearly 2,000 residents filled a town hall on Long Island with Democrat Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin — an uncommon occurrence for an in-person political forum in a predominantly Republican county where GOP members have been steering clear of such gatherings.

The turnout was so large that an additional space was required alongside the main venue, the Patchogue Theater. This event underscored the mounting frustration among Suffolk County residents, who feel neglected by their Republican representatives.

“My friends, we are being governed by morons,” Raskin, a constitutional lawyer, addressed the audience. “Yet, the more challenging the struggle, the more triumphant the victory.”

“I know I’m not your first choice — it would have been better to have your own representatives here,” Raskin added, referring to local GOP Reps. Nick LaLota and Andrew Garbarino.

Republican pols have been dodging local public town halls in favor of tightly controlled teleconferences or private events after several heated meetings in recent months.

Raskin, who sits on key House committees, told the attendees that if Republican lawmakers won’t host in-person events, he’ll gladly travel to their districts and speak further with their constituents himself.

The congressman spoke and took questions on a slew of issues affecting the region — from proposed cuts to Medicaid and Medicare to the SALT cap, tariffs, taxes and inflation.

Addressing the crowd in the Republican stronghold, Raskin said that while he primarily identifies as a “progressive liberal,” he also considers himself a “conservative” in the sense that he wants to conserve the Constitution, the environment, Social Security, individual rights and religious freedom.

He acknowledged that Democrats haven’t done enough to earn the vote of the working class.

Trump won Suffolk County with about 55% of the vote in 2024 — a 10-point lead over Kamala Harris, according to data from the Suffolk County Board of Elections.

Some residents said they left the event feeling inspired and hopeful, while others simply felt angry that their own congressmen won’t hold similar events.

“Where I live out east, Congressman LaLota doesn’t have town halls,” said Jim Casey, a senior citizen who attended the rally. “He held one phone town hall in March, and he only took eight questions.”

Casey and others told The Post they believe lawmakers who back the current economic agenda may be dodging accountability as prices rise because of tariffs.

Garbarino held a virtual town hall in early April that drew more than 10,000 people, according to his office, though it is not clear how many constituents had the chance to speak.

“I wish our representatives had the balls to face us in person and say the things they had to say to our faces like this guy did — and he’s not even from here,” said a resident who asked not to be identified, referring to Raskin.

Raskin’s Patchogue appearance follows a nationwide tour he and other Dem progressives — including New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Texas Rep. Jasmine Crocket and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz — have launched in recent months, targeting Republican strongholds in a bid to win over working-class voters.

Still, not everyone welcomed the visit. Protesters circled the venue in trucks draped with Trump flags, blasting the song, “Sweet Victory.”

“The Patchogue Theater should have never allowed that communist to speak there,” said a resident who did not attend the event and asked not to be identified.

Before the forum, LaLota released a statement calling Raskin a “hyper-partisan” liberal who is “completely out of touch with Suffolk County.”

Raskin fired back by saying that if drawing nearly 2,000 people in LaLota’s own district is considered “out of touch,” then Republicans may be in for a rude awakening come November.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Brunswick chief to add more police to First Friday events to assist with 'unsupervised youth'

Brunswick Leader Plans to Increase Police Presence at First Friday Events to Address Unruly Youth

Fights among unsupervised teens at Brunswick’s “First Friday” events prompt police to…
British police arrest several Iranian men over alleged plot to attack target in London

UK Police Detain Several Iranian Nationals for Suspected Plot to Attack London Location

British counterterrorism officers detained multiple Iranian men in connection with a suspected…
Battle for biblical archaeology intensifies as Israeli researchers face academic boycott

Israeli Scholars Encounter Heightened Academic Boycott Challenges in Biblical Archaeology

TEL AVIV – A leading archaeology Naomi Khan, who is the director…
Lady Gaga performing on Copacabana Beach with backup dancers.

Two Detained for Alleged Scheme to Bomb Lady Gaga Concert in Brazil with ‘Improvised Explosives and Molotov Cocktails’

POLICE have arrested a man and teen over a plot to bomb…
Francis' 'pope-mobile' being converted into Gaza mobile clinic

Francis’ ‘Pope-Mobile’ Transformed into Mobile Clinic for Gaza

The Vatican has announced that the “pope-mobile” used by Pope Francis during…
Ibiza Rocks Hotel entrance with palm trees.

33-Year-Old British Woman Discovered Deceased at Ibiza Resort

A BRITISH tourist has died at the famous Ibiza Rocks Hotel on…
Liberty's vision goes far beyond WNBA title repeat

Liberty’s Ambitions Extend Beyond Another WNBA Championship

The Liberty don’t want to be a one-hit wonder. They aspire to…
Vladimir Putin in a televised interview.

Putin Reveals Personal Chapel and Favorite Drink in Unusual Kremlin Tour, Admits Struggle with Anger

DICTATOR Vladimir Putin has showed off his private chapel and his favourite…
Houthi missile strikes near Israeli airport after evading missile defenses

Houthi Missile Targets Israeli Airport, Avoids Defense Systems

A Houthi missile struck Israeli soil near Tel Aviv’s largest airport on…
Illustration of Met Gala security plan showing a mile-wide frozen zone around the museum with drones, snipers, and bomb-sniffing dogs.

Inside the Met Gala’s Intense Security: Snipers, Negotiators, Arrest Zones, and 24/7 Video Monitoring

According to a retired detective speaking with The U.S. Sun, New York…
Emergency personnel evacuating residents and their dogs from a damaged building.

Russia Initiates Large-Scale Drone Attack on Odesa Shortly After Key U.S.-Ukraine Mineral Agreement, Potentially Provoking Trump’s Anger

RUSSIA has launched a devastating drone strike on Odesa – just hours…
Ukrainian serviceman operating an anti-aircraft machine gun.

Russia Responds to Trump’s Mineral Deal as Putin’s Ally Predicts Ukraine Will ‘Vanish’ and Mocks Trump’s ‘Ratings’

RUSSIA has lashed out at the US and Ukraine after they signed…