Posted by r2streu on June 29, 2009 · 6 Comments
Dear Congressman,
Thank you for selling out your constituents, and your countrymen, by supporting the Cap & Trade bill. A bill which you, like your colleagues, could never have had the time to read before the vote. A bill which even 44 Democrats crossed the aisle to prevent because even they understood that the mandates contained in the bill would be disastrous for business, for our economy, and for both workers and consumers.
Congressman, this is the second letter I’ve written you inre your failure to read a bad bill, and your willingness to vote for it anyway.
Mr. Congressman, if I get a response, I suspect that response will be, much like the one I got for the above-mentioned letter, a form letter extolling what you view as the virtues of this legislation — or at least, the fact that they included your own amendment. Kindly allow me to rebut in advance:
So?
Mr. Congressman, if you’ll allow me to be so blunt, neither I, your constituents, nor indeed most thinking Americans, could give two shits whether your amendment prevents acid rain, saves the whales or turns corn starch into dandelion-excreting fuel alternatives. And why don’t we care? Because the REST of the bill, Mr. Congressman, presents us with far more pressing problems. Problems like how we plan on feeding our families, or driving to work.
There’s this thing that should be taken into account, sir, before agreeing to pass legislation. A thing upon which the lives and livelihoods of your countrymen depend far more than bad science and mandates. It’s called Economics. Perhaps, at some point during your career as a Legislator, you’ve heard of it?
As relates to the Cap & Trade bill you so cavalierly signed, it works like this:Producers’ costs go up, as demanded by following the C&T mandates. That cost is passed on to Consumers. (Consumers, just so we’re clear here, are your basic taxpayers. Folks, like those in your state of New York who have less money every year thanks to tax and fee increases). Consumers have to make choices about what they buy, because they can no longer afford to buy everything they otherwise would. Thanks to the price increases. So… producers must find ways to cut costs. How? By cutting production. Which means cutting personnel. Which means — have you figured it out yet? — unemployment goes up. And with Cap&Trade, we’re not talking about a percentage point here. We’re talking about an astronomic increase in good, taxpaying men and women who suddenly don’t have a means of supporting their families.
All thanks to you and seven other turncoat Republicans.
I hope the fact that those of your constituents you sold out don’t have the option of voting you out of office helps you sleep at night.
Yours, sincerely
Posted by r2streu on June 20, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Giuliani’s “Good Day New York” appearance on Thursday featured a very different Rudy than we’ve seen in previous months. In stark contrast to his maddening complacency of January, Thursday’s appearance was that of, if not a serious contender, then at least of somebody who is deeply disurbed by recent events in Albany and fiercely determined to see real leadership again. And — laughing vagueries aside — Giulani did indeed seem like a candidate.
“I don’t think anybody’s handling the situation right now. It’s one of these things where I think everybody gets blamed for it. The reality is they’re in a state of confusion, and they can’t seem to even have enough ability to reach some kind of bipartisan conclusion about leadership. And it would seem to me that that’s probably what’s wrong with the state’ right now: A lack of leadership.”
So the question is, has Rudy been — and is he still — biding his time? Has he been waiting for a total meltdown in Albany; for unelected governor Paterson’s utter failure to be so complete that — excuse me — even a blind man could see the writing on the wall?
But whatever the case, this is the Rudy I’ve hoped to see since December. The guy I’ve been begging for since January. Somebody who will call out the hack politicians in Albany — all of them — and start demanding real leadership. Somebody who will tell these idiots that normal New Yorkers don’t give half a damn about the political aspirations or petty differences of senators who have already forgotten where they came from. We want lower taxes and a workable budget involving real, substantial cuts.
Rudy knows this, and now he’s saying it. Welcome to the party, Rudy.
Posted by r2streu on June 2, 2009 · Leave a Comment
In two weeks, Tuesday, June 16, tea partiers and other concerned citizens from across New York will make the trip to Albany to protest in the State’s capitol against the massive budget and the new fees and taxes proposed to pay for it.
Paterson, and certain members of the State Legislature, have not heard the loud calls by their constituents to cut more spending, to stop spending money we don’t have, and then charging the taxpayers for the overage.
This isn’t a Conservative or Liberal thing, a Democrat or Republican thing: this is a common sense thing. If the money isn’t there, we can’t spend it. New York — and New Yorkers — are out of money.
For more information, go to marchonalbany.com.
More information from Nancy Foster, who organized the St. Lawrence Co. Tea Party Event in March:
As you know, the March on Albany is June 16 from noon to 3 PM. The legislature will be in session on June 16. If we are going to have any impact on the direction our legislators are going, we need to show up in large numbers and make a stand together. We need to let them know that this spending and taxing madness has to stop. If it does not stop, there will be consequences in 2010. Please join us; together we can make a difference!!!
If you are in the St. Lawrence County area and interested in taking a chartered bus to Albany, please e-mail Nancy Foster at nlfoster@twcny.rr.com The cost to take a chartered bus is $1,876. The cost per person will depend on how many people we have. The bus has 56 seats. If we fill each seat, the cost will be $33.50 round trip per person. If we only have 30 people, then the cost would be $62.50 per person round trip, etc. Tentatively, the bus is scheduled to leave from the Lowe’s parking lot in Ogdensburg at 7 am. We would probably get back to Ogdensburg about 8 PM.
Please let me know ASAP if you are interested and able to join us as I need to confirm the trip with the bus company this week.
Posted by r2streu on June 2, 2009 · 2 Comments
New York District 20 rep John McHugh, currently the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, is apparently being chosen by Barack Obama as his new Secretary of the Army. Fox News says Obama will officially name McHugh to replace current Secretary Pete Geren.
McHugh is another Republican pick for Obama’s defense staff. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates worried Obama supporters because they believed a Republican pick would bolster opinions of Democrats as weak on defense.
UPDATE: remarks from Obama…
“… My administration has increased funding for our military, including the army, and increasing the size of the military two years ahead of schedule.”
That’s gotta sting some Code Pinkers.
“Today I’m proud to announce the distinguished public servant who will help keep us safe, and who will help keep our sacred trust with our soldiers and their familes. The next Secretary of the Army, the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, John McHugh.”
<snip>
“… but it is his service over the past 16 years in Congress, as a champion of our men and women in Uniform that uniquely qualifies him to help lead America’s Army.”
<snip>
“John is committed to keeping America’s Army the best-trained, the best-equipped, the best-led land force the world has ever seen.”
And… where the politics come into play…
“Finally, John shares my belief that a sustainable national security strategy must include a bipartisan consensus at home.”
Translation: John is a token Republican who I probably won’t listen to, but at least the media can point to when people claim I’m not being bipartisan.
This, of course, followed by the standard “It’s an honor to be nominated” stuff by McHugh.
(cross-posted at RedState)