The New York State Senate is hopelessly deadlocked at 31-31 which prevents any legislation from moving forward and it even prevents a session from occurring because it takes 32 members to constitute a quorum.
Both sides are claiming victory from yesterday's court ruling that essentially was a non ruling by saying the judicial branch will not interfere in a leadership spat in the legislative branch, now be big boys and girls and work it out. Yet, there is no movement in the stalemate with both sides paralyzed.
The Democrats refuse to return to the chamber, which would be proof that they acquiesce to the leadership vote that resulted in the successful coup last week.
So if the Democrats are claiming victory, why are they considering appealing the decision? If the Democrats never lost control why are displacing their leader, Malcolm Smith? If the coup is invalid why are the Democrats firing the legislative floor lawyers who were caught flat footed?
Both sides should refrain from labeling the other side as just playing politics or as Senator Aubertine called it "a political stunt." This is simply hard ball politics being played by both sides and the Democrats lost in a game of musical chairs.
The only way out of this mess is negotiations between both sides
which should result in a down the center line agreement that provides equity
among the members of the Senate; for staff, member items, legislation, etc. They should seize this moment as an opportunity for historical reform that creates equal representation for all New Yorkers regardless of political party representation.
This will most likely take some sort of mediator independent of all the bickering to work out an agreement, none of the Senators have shown the ability to think through to a resolution.
"A government big enough to give you everything you want,
is big enough to take away everything you have"
Thomas Jefferson
11 comments:
Like a Black Hole, sucking the Galaxys about it, the actions of the inept NYS Senators will inevitably drag in the Assembly.
Now Caesar Galisano's new Senate Leadership claims to have two votes!
One man, one vote is not good enough to resolve our dysfunctional Senate.
Will our NYS Assembly Members stand idly by, and do nothing?
What can an Assembly do?
Vote an Article of Impeachment for the Senate Pro Tempore Espada who now claims he has 2 votes!
Oh!
But, that would take courage.
Shame on either party that supports this position!
If ever we need it, now is the time for recall- Since both sides are sure they are right- allow recall in NYS and let the people decide!
The cowards won't do it.
My view on this is relatively simple: although a solution appears not to be so simple:
1. Those we elected to serve in office are not serving us.
2. The court right now appears to be not ready to step in, whether legally they can or cannot is still unclear in my mind. They cite a "a separation of powers," and that may be correct to a certain extent.
Having said that, if the legislative body (1/2 of it) is not working for the public, and the courts cannot or will not engage, then who or what is left to provide stability and governing?
Having 1/2 of government working is the same as no government
That in my mind should be illegal somehow under our structure and constitutional authority of government. I leave that to the experts to figure out - but this virtual shutdown of government should be declared illegal.
Checkmate is not the answer and neither is Stalemate.
~ dmf
The more I read, the more convinced that legal steps need to be taken to tamp down the NYS Senate... this kinda illustrates my point:
Quote taken in Part:
"Where the whole power of one department is exercised by the same hands which possess the whole power of another department, the fundamental principles of a free constitution are subverted. This would have been the case in the constitution examined by him, if the king, who is the sole executive magistrate, had possessed also the complete legislative power.
James Madison, writing in Federalist 47, specifically
"To the People of the State of New York...
Madison and Federalist 47
~ dmf
That Federalist link posted above was broken, I guess ... here it is again in total:
James Madison and Federalist 47
EB, what's up with you? Black Holes, Galaxy sucking, this obsession with Caesar and Casca? Now you complain about a guy with two votes. Why shouldn't he vote twice? Illegal aliens vote. Acorn uses tax dollars to sign up people who don't exist. What's the big deal?
You guys are all taking this stuff too seriously. If we had an election today, we'd elect the same criminals to political office. We haven't learned a thing. If us mere stupid citizens were granted recall powers, we'd still vote the same thugs in.
I think we are getting what we deserve. As Shelly and the boyz stuff their bribes and payoffs in their pants, they must not believe their good fortune. What a great state we live in.
Espada should at the very minimum be removed from office for malfeasance ... that man is a disgrace and his actions bring shame to those he says he represents ... pretty sad, really.
And, now the pr*ck says he has two votes? Do we have recall in the Senate? If not, we should.
Dan you point the finger at alot of people but always leave our "great" senator out. Darrel is right in the thick of this whole mess. But I guess as he always says "people before politics" bull. Sucks to be a farmer in NYS thats why he became a politician.
Anon: 8:30... I have commented on Mr. Aubertine in the past... I do not need to prolong it here... besides News 10 says he will join the GOP to break the gridlock...
* How's that grab you?
Anon 8:30 - here, the WDT comments far better than I.
Aubertine "deal" Falls through
Hand shakes in the parking lot in the middle of the night, or some sort of wink and nod agreement DON'T work ... he was wrong to have tried under these conditions ... the Senate is acting unlawful in my view.
We shall see.
~ dmf
I like Espada. His actions have shown our leaders for what they really are, partisan opportunists at best. The problem is they have shown us what we are about. Every voter in NY bears responsibility for what has happened, not only in this past month but in the last generation. NY is through. Greed and corruption rules all. The only thing more important is partisanship. We have sold out our own children to justify what we have done and what we will continue to do. The parties have sold us on the idea that they are what is important. Every special interest has weighed in, and they own our government. They also own us. And this is the result. With no money left and a future with no promise, it is a given that Shelly and the boyz will raise taxes, pay off the teacher union, pad their own nest, and spend money as they have always done.
But remember, no matter how funny it gets, vote party line, fools.
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