"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have"
Thomas Jefferson

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Same Old, Same Old - Empty Promises

The Republicans when they were in the State Senate majority were not exactly fair to their counterparts in the minority and they have their comeuppance coming to them, but the Senate Democrats promised the voters more - an accountable, transparent, fair and equitable system.

It all ended when Malcolm Smith was voted in as majority leader, the promises were left at the campaign doorstep only to be picked up on the way out the door for next year's election.The promises have been flying out the door ever since his leadership took over. Staffing budgets for Senator who represent like number of constituents are reduced, no consultation with minority counterparts in order to get buy in on legislation and the list goes on and on.

Here is how The Daily News writer Bill Hammond describes it - here


Smith would have been better off telling the amigos to take a hike in the first place and instead recruiting Senate Republicans to join a bipartisan leadership team.

He would have been keeping a campaign promise to rule the Senate in a more open, democratic and bipartisan fashion. And he was going to need their votes, anyway. 

When this session is over and a budget comes out from behind closed doors, the Democrats own every bit of it. The own the cuts, the tax increases and the shortcomings of it. They had and possibly still have the opportunity to cut through the partisan past and forge new ground. But, Malcolm Smith is not competent enough to see through to the solutions.

So New Yorkers still long for the day when partisan politics will be set aside for governing. 

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Same old" is right. What hapopened to the change we were all supposed to get with our hope?

Where's the outrage from Sen. Aubertine and Addie Jennie?

Anonymous said...

Change you can believe in.

Anonymous said...

Why did we believe it would be any different? Sen. Aubertine is just another typical Albany pol.

If his lips are moving, don't believe what you're hearing!

Anonymous said...

I do believe that Obama has ushered in change. I feel it is so unfortunate that many of his party members, riding his coat-tails of popularity, have forgotten the message. I expect it will be a short-lived abberation. Obama is doing wonderful things for this country.

Following his example, our state and local reps will come around. Similar to Schumer's reference to Gillebrandt, "she'll come around to the right way of thinking."

Anonymous said...

I do believe that Obama has ushered in change. I feel it is so unfortunate that many of his party members, riding his coat-tails of popularity, have forgotten the message. I expect it will be a short-lived abberation. Obama is doing wonderful things for this country.

Following his example, our state and local reps will come around. Similar to Schumer's reference to Gillebrandt, "she'll come around to the right way of thinking."

NNY Bluedog said...

I find it amazing that an article about Malcolm Smith and his actions as Senate Majority Leader is spun around to insult Senator Aubertine.

The mob is alive and well in Jefferson County.

Do you all of the anonymous posters share one brain with their one opinion?

Danny M. Francis (Eyepublius) said...

I'll tell you the "same old, same old:"

AIG - American Intl Group, Inc.

Nope not any more:

* Ain't It Great ...

Anonymous said...

BlueDog
Can't you say anything else? Basically same post as you did awhile ago about something you didn't agree with! What is your explanation of Sen Aubertines staff pay raises??
We're waiting !! and Waiting

Anonymous said...

NNY Blue dog:
Are you saying those facts are wrong? I don't think so!
Senator Aubertine should be ashammed! During these hard times those numbers are disgraceful.
Is he using some of Obama's stimulus money?
It's OUR money and we care!!

Anonymous said...

Who is this blue dog idiot?
Looks like the change in pay for Jim Wrights new job is peanuts compared to these raises!

How is it spun around but still true?

SMARTIN UP BLUE DONKEY

Anonymous said...

Sorry, sp-ASSININE

Danny M. Francis (Eyepublius) said...

The same old, same old will always be the same old, same old until the people stop sending the same old, same old folks back to Albany and DC to "fix that same old, same old problems [that they tell they're going into office to fix]..."

LOL

Danny M. Francis (Eyepublius) said...

As long as we have more than one party, which we must always have more than one party, partisanship will be alive, but not necessarily alive.

A strong, viable, and focused third party would sure shake up the two main parties in my view.

But, that is unlikely with so many little splinter "parties," out there jockeying to give their endorsements to the two main party regulars?

Anonymous said...

The MOB?

What have we become?

The Mob in Jefferson County?

This Blue Dog guy has promise.

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