Revolt Could Imperil Democratic Control of Senate (NY)

Source: New York Times



Read more: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/08/revolt-could-imperil-democratic-control-of-senate/

---

As troubling as this is, I have to say I've been thoroughly disappointed with the Democratic Leadership in general, and Malcolm Smith in particular since taking power in January.

...means nothing to the Rethugs as they cheat, steal and lie their way back into power in the NY Senate.

And, right before next year's redistricting. We could have used our majority in both houses next year to make sure that a Rethug never gets elected from this state again.

...and not cut backroom deals to cobble together votes for Smith, we might not be in this situation.

Gotta take the bad with the good in situations such as this. I like it when Republicans decide to defect to join the Democrats, or when politicians in other countries make moves in a similar direction, and that obligates me to accept that it's going to happen the other way now and then. I won't say that one should be allowed and the other not, any more than I'd support banning the practice just because I'm not the only one who could potentially benefit.

More underhanded backroom deals? Is this how Republicans reflect the will of the people? :mad:

both under investigation, and
with nothing to lose.

:puke:

... stealing, lying and cheating their way into power.

And you know what? I miss the whole thing! Wish I still lived in NY.

Some Dem Senators were vehemently against it, and felt that a deal not to bring it up for a vote this term had been junked.

It wasn't the cause of the leadership change.

of screwy offices and contracts they knew nothing about.

"Democrats also came across what they are calling the “Brunomobile,” a $50,000 specially outfitted GMC van, with six leather captain’s chairs (some swiveling), a navigation system, rearview camera and meeting table. Joseph L. Bruno, the former Senate majority leader who was recently indicted on corruption charges, traveled in the van after his use of state helicopters sparked a feud with the Spitzer administration. "


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/nyregion/12repubs.html?_r=3&pagewanted=all

is a shake-up in the Democrat Party to get rid of all the Dinos, we'll all be better off in the long run.

:blush:

Republican=Noun. He is a good Republican. | Republicanic=Adjective. She belong to the Republicanic Party.

What's more confusing, is why anyone would get bent out of shape because someone misused the words in a sentence.

to the DemocRAT Party, as if somehow emphasizing the sound RAT means anything.

I'll speak for myself: Pukes, Repukes or reTHUGlicans.

remark but I really want to know how repugs could make it better...

Here, I've actually voted for republicans at the local and county levels.

One time, we had a Dem candidate who wanted to go after drug crimes and a Repub who wanted to go after gun crimes. Go figure.

Oy.

That's really all that concerns me right now.

I'm in Illinois and I always hate it when people who don't live here sit and pontificate on Illinois politics without any understanding of our laws or even our political landscape. I am assuming NY is equally "complicated" (remember, we just impeached a Dem Governor here, so I really am sympathetic...)

Are these "renegades" Dems run wild for personal reasons? Are they actually Republicans who just happened to run as Dems this time? Are they some variation? Was there any clue prior to this that maybe there was an insurrection brewing? Are there any provisions for recall for your state Senators?

I'm hoping to understand this a little better! Help!


Laura

first of all, there is a HUGE divide between upstate and The City. the population is split between Upstate and NYC, the Bronx alone has more people than all of Alaska. the majority I speak to from both sides would rather see the state split than try to address the problems, which are much less complicated than people think: it could all be solved by cleaning up Albany.

Albany is corrupt. well, that's a poor way of putting it, since I just moved out of Albany and loved the city itself. The state government, centered in Albany NY, is a band of thieving mobsters with a few good people struggling year to year to just get a reasonable budget passed sprinkled in.

Upstate politicians sometimes get their job by heredity that goes back 300 years. the more land you owned back then the more your say was: look up "the poltroon system". others are your typical rural republicans, and I can say that I honestly understand where they are coming from and why they feel the way they do (except on social issues, on those they're just bigots.) they are fed up with high taxes that don't seem to translate into services and programs for them. then there are a few from the upstate cities who are usually pretty corrupt the same way all rust belt politicians end up, but often enter the game as reformers desperate to turn their cities around.

look up also "home rule", which prevents any sort of regional planning and organization to get stuff done.

downstate is The City. God, I love NYC, don't get me wrong, it's IMHO the greatest city on the planet, but it is where NY's money comes from, and because of that corruption follows. some politicians are reformers through and through, ready to fight to bring the city and the state forward, but others are just in it for the money. Long Island is newer money, Westchester and surrounding counties old. They have less population but a big (probably too big) say in downstate politics and therefore NY state politics in general.

all in all, our taxes are "too high" (compared to the rest of the US) but our social services aren't as strong as they should be. we're stuck. our transportation infrastructure practically needs torn down and redone, but because nothing real ever happens in Albany to push change our transportation department is stuck simply fixing the current one. (see The Skyway in Buffalo).

that's why Spitzer was so popular when he came into office. one of the "band of three", the governor himself, a reformer? Bruno, another of the Band, on his way out?! we were ready. we were going to see change on "day one". we were duped. I don't think Spitzer was as corrupt as people think he was, but there is no question he was not the knight in shining armor we need.

NY needs someone grassroots ready to take on the entire system. we need the system redone to spread the power more evenly so three guys in a smoky backroom don't control everything. we need a uniter to sift through the rancor and sludge that keeps Upstaters and Downstaters hating each other. we need someone radical and different.

good luck finding them.

You wrote, with regard to New York history, "the more land you owned back then the more your say was: look up 'the poltroon system'."

You're thinking of , a landholder with manorial rights to large tracts of land. The word you actually used, ", means a coward.

A major problem in New York politics is that so many of the members of the Legislature, on both sides of the aisle, are poltroons. They're afraid to go against the entrenched leadership of their own party.

Must have been a Freudian slip on your part. :)