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Newsday reported that “Long Island would benefit from State Senate GOP takeover.”
Who are they to say? Though, unfortunately, the Newsday pronouncement has been taken as a fact and re-reported in various venues.
Who in Long Island will truly benefit by two corrupt elected officials, joining with the Republican Party, to steal power and protect the old guard in our state government?
Maybe a few rich people will benefit with lower taxes? Heck, seems like a lot of this was about poor Tom Golisano and his tax bill.
Maybe a few non-profits who happen to be located in Long Island will have an easier time getting grants? (Though, Pedro Espada, Jr. and his associates have a history of exploiting and not helping non-profits and family programs.)
Does anyone adding up the formula about “Will this help or hurt Long Island?” count anything but money? Will I, as a woman, be helped when our State Government is controlled by the shenanigans of Hiram Monserrate, who the NY Post notes, “…was indicted for allegedly slashing his girlfriend in the face with a broken glass.”? Do I want him making legislation to protect women?
And, what about Newsday claiming that it will be so great if State Senator Owen Johnson stays in power – just because he can dole out money on the Finance Committee? What about the fact that Owen Johnson has been called “anti-choice” by NARAL, and that he got 100% approval rating in 2003-2006 from the NY State Right To Life Committee? What about the fact that Owen Johnson is a conservative and no friend to feminism? Is money going to save me if I am a victim of domestic abuse? How many of these other Republican State Senators from Long Island care about women’s issues? Or, family issues? Or, anything but lower taxes?
Newsday claims that, “…some Long Island charities teetering on the brink of insolvency are likely to be cheering the Republican takeover…”
That is just bologna. The Republican coup has been based largely on Tom Golisano’s desire for lower taxes. That means LESS money for charity. And, Republicans are notably more Conservative. If there are any charities who will now get a bigger piece of the pie, it is only charities who are friends with Republicans rather than Democrats, or friends with Pedro Espada, Jr.–who, evidently, knows how to steer charity money (which he probably did steer to his own political campaign as suggested by The NY Post.)
And, who could look at this situation and the characters involved, and not see that what really happened? Clearly, the Republican leaders, in seeking power, used two hoodlums, who were in danger of losing their seats, to get two desperate votes in a power play. What a great bet that Monseserrate and Espada have taken. They traded their Democratic colleagues to the Republicans for a “Get out of jail free” card (Or, is that simply a “Stay in the State Senate, anyway” card?)
I am no fan of the Democratic leadership. It would have been nice if the Democrats in the State Senate could have done good things for the people, so that this fissure was not waiting to be exploited. But, I will not cheer that a bunch of aging, incumbent State Senators in my area get more power. They have enough. Many of them have been in power for decades, based largely on the pork that Newsday thinks that certain charities deserve more of. I don’t put faith in any of the Long Island State Senate delegation – either Democrat or Republican – doing much of anything kind, compassionate, generous, or enlightened for the people. That’s just not how it ever was or ever will be.
It is difficult to pick a side with the bunch of overpaid, ineffective, selfish, privileged, and secretive bullies we have elected to the State Senate. But, if Monserrate and Espada are the best the Republicans can do for coalition partners, it is hard to call that reform.
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Disclaimer: I was the campaign manager for a candidate who ran against Owen Johnson for State Senate. And, I ran against Owen Johnson myself. I do not dislike him especially more than other, conservative politicians, but I know more about him from studying my race, which gave me fodder for my rant.
Filed under: local, long island, Long Island Politics, New York State Politics, News, progressive politics, rants Tagged: | abortion, charities, Feminism, Hiram Monserrate, non-profits, NY, Owen Johnson, Pedro Espada, reproductive rights, State Senate
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