Like Corruption And High Taxes?

Vote the same people back in.

Obviously, NYS voters love the corruption and the dysfunction of NYS. You like the high taxes. You love that businesses move out of our state - and take our college graduates with them.

You must! You keep voting the same people back in! Do you honestly think they are going to finally "stand up" to the "leaders" after 10, 20 years in the Senate or Assembly? You really believe that? Honestly?

Having just read the appalling report from the NYS Inspector General - a 316 page report that calls the "handling" of the bidding process for choosing a video lottery terminal operator for Aqueduct Racetrack - corrupt and a "political free-for-all" - I am amazed at our apathy, and our ignorance.

Albany is FAILbany BECAUSE of those very same people you vote into office year after year after year.


This article in Capitol Confidential says:

"The ill-advised method which allowed the state’s top three elected officials to pick Aqueduct’s
slot-machine vendor was created in 2008 by then Governor Eliot Spitzer, then Senate Majority
Leader Joseph Bruno and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. In the process, the statute removed
lobbying restrictions and allowed campaign cash to flow to the decision makers.

“This process was doomed from the start, and at each turn, our state leaders abdicated their
public duty, failed to impose ethical restraints and focused on political gain at a cost of millions
to New Yorkers,” Inspector General Joseph Fisch said. “Unfortunately, and shamefully,
consideration of what was in the public’s best interest, rather than the political interest of the
decision makers, was a matter of militant indifference to them.”"

In this article from the Albany Times Union , it states:

"The report also faulted Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver for employing the tactic of setting conditions for AEG's approval that he knew the firm could not possibly meet, rather than rejecting their bid outright. "It may have been good politics, but it was not in the public interest," Fisch said of Silver's behavior."

At least Skelos (Senate Republican minority leader) tried to get a hearing, but, according to this article from Capitol Confidential the Dems never responded! (Back in February, Skelos sent a letter to Sampson requesting public hearings.)

Now - why didn't anyone in the Assembly "stand up" and "go against" the speaker and ask him to reject the bid instead of playing those games? Some senior members *cough cough joe morelle cough cough* have said time and time again that they have stood up against their own party. Uh huh. You can't tell me that none of them knew what was going on. Especially senior members of the assembly .

Maybe it's because this is "business as usual" for Joe Morelle - he doesn't stand up to Silver. He doesn't want to remove him as speaker. All of his endorsement interviews show he doesn't want Silver removed. When asked directly by the D&C if he "supports leadership change in the chamber to which you seek election or re-election?" he doesn't answer yes or no. Joe Morelle says: "I will support a Speaker who is committed to the Upstate economy and addressing our unique needs."

What kind of answer is that? A 20 year career assemblyman's answer loyal to Sheldon Silver....that's what that is.

Always remember - Joe is on your side. He is watching out for you. That's why he kept you out of meetings he and Neil Breslin had with the insurance industry, trial lawyers, the Medical Society and the State Insurance Department to discuss "reforms" of no-fault auto insurance laws. Morelle and Breslin said the private meetings were necessary to exchange ideas freely.

In meetings to discuss reforms - he kept you out of the process. Nice.

Here's the article.

From the article:

"Chairmen of the Assembly and Senate insurance committees - Joseph Morelle and Neil Breslin - have been conducting numerous closed door meeting with the insurance industry, trial lawyers, the Medical Society and the State Insurance Department to discuss "reforms" of no-fault auto insurance laws. Representatives of consumers have been excluded and fear any changes will not protect ratepayers. A reporter attempting to attend one of the sessions, in Room 123 of the Capitol, was asked to get out."

"Morelle and Breslin said the private meetings were necessary to exchange ideas freely."

They couldn't exchange ideas freely in front of the consumer representatives or reporters?

Why? Aren't they supposed to be representing us? Or are they representing the multitudes of campaign donors? Behind closed doors.

When Joe Morelle had the chance to "stand up to" and tell his buddy Silver, "Hey, Shelly, why not reject the AEG bid? C'mon. It's not in the best interests of my constituents." - He didn't.

When Joe Morelle had the chance to be transparent and let in consumer reps and reporters to meetings with Insurance industry etc. to discuss "reforms" of insurance laws - He didn't.

When Joe Morelle "voted against the budget" and wanted to persuade the Senate to pass the budget - was he thinking of the taxpayers? No, he was concerned about "imperiling the political fortunes of the legislature."

You get the government you vote for and deserve.

Happy same ol' same ol' on November 3rd.