Posted by: Quickjustice in Untagged on
Jul 2, 2009
President Obama's controversial firing of AmeriCorps Inspector General Gerald Walpin, a Bush appointee, in violation of a law that the President himself voted for, highlights the fundamental arrogance, not merely of this Administration, but of the President himself. First Lady Michelle Obama's brazen use of her clout to get her cronies senior positions in AmeriCorps emphasizes the point: for President Obama and his wife, the U.S. government is a source of personal perquisites first.
Obama campaigned for many months, promoting the expansion of AmeriCorps, a domestic Peace Corps, as a model of idealistic government service for young people. [Cynics have depicted legions of goose-stepping, miniature American Hitler Youth in response.] Walpin, a seasoned and reputable lawyer, disrupted the President's narrative by formally and publicly exposing fraud, waste and abuse in the program on the part of a close ally of the President's, Kevin Johnson, former NBA star and mayor of Sacramento, California.
Details here:
Posted by: Solomon Weiss in Untagged on
Jul 2, 2009
I read this interesting blog entry by Jonathan of MyMoneyBlog.com
http://www.mymoneyblog.com/
Posted by: Daniel Peterson in Untagged on
Jul 2, 2009
A few governors ago, we had this fellow named Mario who had suggested we dig some more reservoirs so we avoid water shortages and drought. I can guess this was like twenty years ago, so the idea, if acted on, would or should be completed by now, right?
And what perfect timing. New York has had more rain that any June in recent history and we should be set if by chance, we go into a dry spell in August and September.
Posted by: Daniel Peterson in Untagged on
Jul 2, 2009
A century ago, the rules of electing our US Senators was changed. Previously, US Senators were voted on by a State's legislature. One could argue that this system allowed for voters to pay attention to who their Assembly or State Senator was on issues, because they would be the ones picking our two upper-house representatives.
Today, Senators are by popular vote and chosen like all other state-wide candidates. Their elections are also staggered where a third of the country votes for a US Senator every two years.
Posted by: Bryan Yurcan in Untagged on
Jul 1, 2009
This story in the Queens Chronicle details how the ridiculously high cost of malpractice insurance is driving doctors out of NY state.
Posted by: The Editors in Untagged on
Jul 1, 2009
With no primary challenge happening for two-term Mayor Mike Bloomberg, his campaign is already trying to appeal to the extreme Left of the voting public. Take a look at these three television advertisements. On guns...
On gay marriage...
Posted by: Jay Golub in Untagged on
Jul 1, 2009
Although you may not believe this actually happened, the Senate Democrats justified the "passing" of a number of bills in Albany yesterday because Queens Senator Frank Padavan happened to walk by them to get a soft-drink...
The day was marked by a bizarre game of "gotcha," in which Senate Democrats claimed Republican Sen. Frank Padavan of Queens had stepped into the Senate chamber for just enough time to be counted as an "aye" vote.
They passed 121 bills, which the governor refused to sign.
"It's fraudulent. It's childish. They know that I was not in the chamber voting on those bills," said Padavan.
...and then their new leader, Sen. John Sampson, proclaimed that Mayoral Control of the Schools of NYC was DOA...
"We are firmly opposed to mayoral control of the Senate."
...which is prompting the Mayor to prepare to reorganize the control of NYC's schools to a legally mandated old-version. The Borough Presidents, along with the Mayor, may have to appoint a new "Board" of seven people to run the schools until Albany's dysfunction comes to end...
Posted by: izengabe in Untagged on
Jul 1, 2009
The NY Post has an Editorial supporting Curtis Sliwa who has been talking about running for Public Advocate as an Independent on a platform of eliminating the do nothing office which will cost $1.8 million this year (which is down from the $2.9 million the office has cost last year).
I like this quote from Sliwa "If elected I would close and padlock the office, fire all the employees and, most importantly, fire myself."
Posted by: The Editors in Untagged on
Jun 30, 2009
The long fought Minnesota U.S. Senate battle is finally over....
The high court rejected a legal challenge from Republican Norm Coleman, whose options for regaining the Senate seat are dwindling.
Posted by: The Editors in Untagged on
Jun 30, 2009
It seems the bad news just keeps pouring in for Queens Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza. After her stunning admission to the Daily News that she has turned her district residence into a rental property and relocated her family to a sprawling mansion in exclusive Glen Head, Long Island, the Queens Republican Party is calling for an investigation into Assemblywoman Carrozza's legal residence, her filing of potentially contradictory legal documents, and is also citing her high absentee record as evidence that she has essentially abandoned not just her legal residence but her job as a representative of the 26th Assembly District and its' constituents.
In a just-release statement, Queens GOP Chairman Phil Ragusa very succinctly ties this problem together with the never-ending dysfunction in Albany and out of control government spending, demanding action finally on behalf of the people. According to Ragusa:
“In this time when Albany dysfunction is at an all-time high and government spending is out of control at every level of government, spurring tea parties from coast to coast, we need to be extremely diligent in demanding real reform from our elected officials. And the most basic reform we should demand is that officials truly live in the districts they are elected to represent, as required by law. There have been too many of these allegations over the years and we must now get serious about protecting the public from this type of fraud. The integrity of our entire democratic system is at risk here.”
The Herd: Have Your Say
