Sen. Klein deserves support

To the editor:

(re: “Klein challenges Dems to unity pledge,” May 25)

It’s unfair for anyone in this community to accuse our state Sen. Jeff Klein of not standing for progressive ideals. 

Unfortunately, this only illustrates the lack of understanding of what being a true Democrat means.

Sen. Jeff Klein and the members of the Independent Democratic Conference presented a progressive agenda in their “Call the Roll” campaign, which includes support for women’s reproductive health policy, single-payer health care, and the DREAM Act, just to name a few pieces of legislation. 

He made a simple request for all Democrats to unite around these key issues, and pledge their support for them, co-sponsor them, and show true opposition to what’s happening on a federal level.

I was surprised to read that the mainline Democrats chose to close out the legislative session without pledging their support. 

Because of this, all of the bills that Sen. Klein supports — including key ones like the Reproductive Health Act — still lack 32 co-sponsors.

Sen. Klein has done his job in telling us where he stands, and is calling for every single Democrat in the senate to make their positions publicly known on these vital progressive issues. 

Yet, there is no outrage or demand that the mainline Democrats support these issues.

Sen. Jeff Klein serves our community well, and stands for the many issues the community cares about. 

It is time that other senators are held accountable for not having done the right thing as our progressive goals should be the same.

MERRITT G. CLAUDE