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PoliticsNY.Net: Federal Judge John Elfvin has died. Please remember Elfvin, albeit tough,  for his great sense of humor from the bench. Judge Elfvin presided over the County's redistricting case in 02 & 03; he ruled a weighted vote scheme would determine the Erie County Legislature Majority.The ruling brought the Republicans to power with, if memory serves, democrat Al DeBenedetti as their chairman. BOE commish Dennis Ward represented the Dems; while current Legislature parliamentarian Ron Bennett represented the GOP. Bennett was brilliant.

 

God Bless Judge Elfvin's immortal soul,. ###

 

Absolutely "NO TRUTH" to the false reports being  spread by other web sites with respect to staff problems in the Collins administration. The entire team is in Albany looking forward to Corwin's function tonight; in a couple of the weeks Collin's State the County speech. ###

 

 

Breaking News First

 

MALCOLM SMITH WILL BE MAJORITY LEADER

 

 

www.NYTIMES.COM  Smith with Senators Kruger & our own Antoine Thompson

 

“This clearly is an historic day for all of us,” said Mr. Smith, who will be the first African-American to lead the majority party in one of the state legislative chambers."

 

UPDATE: As reported here first the NYS Senate Democratic Conference (caucus) Tuesday evening has voted unanimously for Malcolm Smith as leader. The official vote Wednesday at noon. ###

 

Sources are telling PoliticsNY.Net exclusively: "Senator Malcolm Smith & the so called "gang of three" have reached agreement in principle which would provide Smith with 32 votes for Majority Leader." 

 

The vote will be taken by the full Senate at noon Wednesday. ### 

  

Meanwhile Fred Dicker over at the www.NYPOST.com  is reporting:

 

"ALBANY - Senate Democrats yesterday demanded a criminal probe of a bombshell memorandum showing Republicans plotting to use their state-funded Senate staffers for campaign purposes.

"What's detailed in the memo appears to be a blatant misuse of government services and employees for political purposes," said a spokesman for Senate Democratic leader Malcolm Smith (Queens).

"It raises serious legal and ethical questions and deserves immediate review by all appropriate authorities," the spokesman, Austin Shafran, continued.

The Post broke the story yesterday.

Asked to identify the "appropriate authorities," Shafran named Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Albany District Attorney David Soares and "possibly" federal authorities.

A spokesman for Cuomo quickly responded, "We're reviewing the matter."

Soares did not respond to requests for comment." ###

 

US ATTORNEY TERRY FLYNN RESIGNING

 

 

 

Bush administration appointment Terry Flynn (R) is resigning to take a partnership with Harris Beach, a prestigious area law firm.

 

Assistant US Attorney Bill Hochul is just about everyone's choice to replace Flynn.

 

Harris Beach is in line to get the ECIDA designation as lead attorney. ###

 

 

SWEET CAROLINE LOSING GROUND IN POLL

 

 

Kennedy Before and After

 

UPDATE: "Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has a 19-point lead over a prospective Republican opponent for the U.S. Senate, according to a statewide poll released Tuesday.The survey by Public Policy Polling found that 48 percent of New Yorkers would support Democrat Cuomo in a hypothetical Senate election against Rep. Peter King, who is backed by 29 percent. Another possible Democratic candidate, Caroline Kennedy, is locked in a statistical dead heat with King, a Long Island Republican. Kennedy has 46 percent support to King’s 44 percent." ###

 

When PPP conducted a survey last month about the New York Senate vacancy, we only interviewed Democrats. This time we interviewed all voters, so to make a complete apples to apples comparison of how folks are looking at Kennedy now compared to a month ago we need to look at her standing on a few key indicators just within her own party.

First her favorability:

Kennedy Favorability among Democrats	Favorable/Unfavorable
December 9th	75/11
January 4th	57/31

Although a majority of Democrats still have a favorable view of her, the number who see her unfavorably has nearly tripled over the last four weeks.

Second their preference between her and Andrew Cuomo:

Kennedy/Cuomo Preference among Dems	Kennedy/Cuomo
December 9th	44/23 Kennedy
January 4th	54/34 Cuomo

Last month almost twice as many Democrats said they wanted to see Kennedy appointed to the Senate as said they preferred Cuomo. Now he has a 20 point advantage within the party.

If Kennedy does receive the appointment it's safe to say she'll need to do some mending of her reputation. ###

 

 

OH! THE SENECAS ARE BUILDING A NEW CASINO

 

Just not in Buffalo!

 

Now please tear down that eyesore  near our waterfront!

 

 

UPDATE: “The Buffalo casino needs a legal resolution. I am confident once the legal issues are resolved, the (Buffalo Creek) casino will move forward. I can’t see anyone spending $330 million with that unknown out there.”

 

Erie County Executive Chris Collins

 

"Based on conversations I had with Barry Snyder Sr., Seneca Nation President, the Senecas remain committed to building the permanent Buffalo casino. The main reason they stopped building the Buffalo  Creek casino is the economy. The lawsuits were a compounding factor. If it wasn’t for the lawsuits, the casino would be in construction by now; we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

 

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown ###

"The Seneca Nation of Indians and a Michigan based company have an agreement to develop a casino in the Catskill Mountains region of New York.

Nation President Barry E. Snyder said Sunday that the Seneca Nation has had the agreement for the last 18 months with Rotate Black Gaming Inc. to build the region's first major casino, 80 miles north of New York City in Monticello.

"The Nation views development of a Catskills casino with the state as yet another example of a 'win-win' economic development, which have generated more than 4,000 jobs and $300 million in payments to the state," Snyder said.

The Nation has not yet approached Gov. David Paterson regarding this proposal, but plans to do so. They say they are acquiring the land in anticipation of a change in national policy by the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama.

Rotate Black projects that a fully developed Catskills casino will generate approximently $160 million in exclusivity fees to state and local governments." WGRZ.com  ###

 

JosephIlluzzi704@aol.com 

 

 

 

Congressman Chris Lee Sworn-In

 

New U.S. Representative Announces Open Houses for District Offices

 

 

 

WASHINGTON – Congressman Chris Lee was sworn-in Tuesday to represent New York’s 26th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

 

“It is an honor and a privilege to represent the people of Western New York,” Congressman Lee said. “I am prepared to fight every day for new jobs, lower taxes, and real accountability for the hard-earned money Western New Yorkers send to Washington. For starters, we need a sensible economic recovery package that makes the right investments to spur future growth and provides much-needed tax relief for working families and small business owners.

 

“We also need Washington to stop treating fiscal responsibility like an afterthought. I will work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to control federal spending and hold Washington accountable for every decision it makes.”

 

After being sworn-in on the House floor, Congressman Lee will be joined by his family for a ceremonial swearing-in in Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) office.

 

“We face significant challenges right now, and I am ready to work with anyone who is committed to getting our economy moving again, regardless of what party he or she belongs to,” Congressman Lee added. “Changing the way we do business in Washington will require a sustained bipartisan commitment to forward-looking solutions.”

 

Congressman Lee marked the beginning of the 111th Congress by hosting an open house and reception for constituents in his Washington, DC office. He also announced that the district offices in Williamsville and Greece, which are already up and running, will hold open houses on Saturday, January 24. Constituents are encouraged to stop by on that day, meet the Congressman and his district staff, and share their views on how we can create jobs and improve the quality of life in our area. 

 

“Our doors are always open to our constituents; listening to their concerns and addressing their needs is our highest priority,” Congressman Lee said. 

 

Congressman Lee’s offices are located at:

 

1711 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Phone: 202.225.5265

Fax: 202.225.5910

 

325 Essjay Road

Williamsville, NY 14221

Phone: 716.634.2324

Fax: 716.631.7610

 

1577 West Ridge Road

Greece, NY 14615

Phone: 585.663.5570

Fax: 585.663.5711

 

NOTE: The open house at the Williamsville district office will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2009 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.  The open house at the Greece district office will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2009 from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

Constituents can visit Congressman Lee’s website at http://chrislee.house.gov.

 

 

 

NYS Senator from the 60th District Antoine Thompson

Thompson Chairman of the NYS Senate Evironment & Conservation Committee

by Joseph J. Illuzzi

 

On a grey, rainy (not snowing) Saturday morning in an exclusive interview Senator Thompson & I discussed his role in the recent Senate elections, the Democratic majority, now & in the future, the leadership, the role of Tom Golisano’s Responsible NY in the scheme of things. Unlike the weather, Thompson's disposition, over the phone anyway, is bright & sunny!

Heretofore, I would engage Senator Thompson on a regular basis at around 6:00 am; Thompson running, I walking around Hoyt Lake behind Albright Knox Art Gallery, in Buffalo, NY; just a beautiful place. However, I am taking some time off & the Senator has changed his route.

As written: I caught up with Senator Thompson Saturday morning following his very successful fundraiser Friday evening at the Saturn Club, Buffalo NY.

Senator Thompson, the first African American, is one of three co chairs of the NYS Senate Democratic Campaign Committee. He & his two counterparts, Senators Jeff Klein & Diane Savino did in just two years what no one would have predicted or dare utter in the hallowed corridors of the NYS Senate. Under their leadership this dynamic trio wrestled away the Majority in the NYS Senate from an embedded GOP, not by one but by two votes 32-30, with another possible depending on a court case. 

Thompson credits, "hard work, a great team, great candidates, a working coalition that included environmental groups, labor & of course Responsible NY. Thompson also sent props along to the WFP."

I asked Thompson if he felt his erstwhile hard work had been done in vain considering at least today there is no majority in place to elect a leader?

Thompson’s response was declarative, "the Re-org will take place on January 7^th & the Senate will elect Malcolm Smith Majority leader, negotiations are ongoing."

I obviously questioned him on the three hold outs, Diaz, Espada & Kruger; not to mention Senator elect Hiram Monserrate; who has been charged with slashing his girlfriend!

Thompson remains confident, "the spirit nationally will win the day for Democrats & we will elect a leader."

As an example bringing it back to NYS Thompson talked about Greg Johnson's victory in the LI 7th district. "The GOP held that seat for a 100 years & Greg won 55-45%."

We both agreed if there were a tie it would be the Assembly Speaker who would cast the deciding vote; there is no Lieutenant Governor to break an impasse.

As of now he does not believe there are ongoing negotiations to attract a couple of Republicans to the fold. Albeit, I surmised that door is not closed, at least there is a window open, so to speak.

Thompson does make the point, however, he expects a number of GOP retirements, at least four, after the 1^st of the year, Senator Dale Volker possibly being one of them.

Even with that Thompson forecasts an increase in the Democratic majority in 2010 & 2012; with notable gravitas, Thompson  doesn't rule out a majority of at least "ten by 2012".

He pointed out that four of the elections that were lost last cycle were within 4-5% points.

He says that "Democrats have won most of the Special elections over the last decade."

So he, from his partisan pulpit, is confident of increasing his party’s plurality.

As far as his personal goals: He hopes to retain his position on the Campaign committee, as well as possibly picking up one of the 35 Chairs, Environment & Conservation for instance a committee on which he is the ranking Democrat. He also mentioned Banking would interest him. Thompson points out that there is only a pool of "five" upstate Senators to put in leadership positions.  

Senator Thompson still holds out the possibility that Senator Bill Stachowski will garner the Chair of the powerful Finance Committee.

With respect to Tom Golisano’s Responsible NY, Thompson trusts that the PAC will remain part of the coalition as well as the WFP, Labor, et al.

Senator Thompson, "everyone in Albany, including our new majority leader, knows that I never stop and will never stop flighting for WNY. When I'm in the room, I always speak up for my district and for WNY and I always will."

A true double entendre! Thompson will continue to run his miles every morning secure in the belief that his party will continue to run well in the years ahead, i.e. its all good from the Senator's vantage point!!!

Epilogue (I just like the word): I asked Antoine a week or two ago if Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown were to get appointed to the US Senate replacing Hil would he run for Mayor of Buffalo?

"I am concentrating on serving the people of the 61st District & the State of NY; that is my focus."

I take that as a, Yes!

 

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid

 

There's something about Harry

 

by Pat Buchanan

 

 

 

About the appointment by Gov. Rod Blagojevich of Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate, somebody big is lying, big-time. It is either the governor or Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Last week, Reid declared that he would not permit Burris, the African-American elder statesman of Illinois politics, to fill Obama's seat, or even to enter the Senate chamber, though no one had suggested Burris is other than an honorable and able public man.

Reid declared Burris "a tainted appointment," not because of any ethical defect of his, but because of the cloud over the governor who had appointed him.

 

Saturday, however, the Chicago Sun-Times reported, in a story sourced to the governor's office, that Reid personally phoned Blago on Dec. 3, six days before the scandal broke, to urge him not to name any of three high-profile candidates for the Obama seat.

On the Reid blacklist were, according to the source, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., Rep. Danny Davis and State Senate President Emil Jones.

What do the three have in common? All are black.

Reid reportedly urged Blagojevich to pick either state Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth or Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

What do these women have in common? Neither is black.

As Prince Riley, a senior consultant to Burris, told Politico, "It's interesting that all those who are viable are white women and the ones who are unacceptable are black men."

It sure is, Prince -- if the story is true.

Confronted by David Gregory on "Meet the Press," Reid called Blago a liar and said he thinks Jackson would make a fine senator. Said Reid:

"This is part of Blagojevich's cloud. He's making all this up. I had a conversation with him. I don't remember what was in the conversation, other than the generalities that I just talked about. I didn't tell him who not to appoint. He's making all this up ..."

However, this brings us back to the contents of a conversation Obama's chief of staff Rahm Emanuel reportedly had with Blago, also before U.S. Attorney Pat Fitzgerald busted the governor for allegedly hawking Obama's seat to the highest bidder.

Valerie Jarrett, Barack's confidante, had by then withdrawn.

Rahm reportedly told Blago he should choose from one of three names: Duckworth, state Comptroller Dan Hynes and U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky. Rahm then reportedly called back to add Lisa Madigan.

All four are white. Conspicuously missing from Rahm's list were all four black candidates: Jackson, Davis, Jones and Burris.

Are Blago or his people all lying? The truth is on Fitzgerald's tapes.

As Gregory pressed Reid, whose re-election in 2010 in Nevada is no sure thing, the majority leader suggested his feet were not so set in concrete and he may be open to a deal with Burris:

"I'm an old trial lawyer. There's always room to negotiate."

The deal being talked about is that Reid may let Burris take the seat if he agrees not to run in 2010. For the fear Democrats have is that no black male in Illinois can for sure hold Barack's seat.

Now, if any such deal is what Reid has in mind, one hopes Burris will slap it away. He has as much right to be in the Senate as Harry Reid does. And for Burris to enter that body as a professed lame-duck would mean that not only would he be last in seniority, he will have neutered himself.

Reporters need to get to the bottom of this. Did Reid and Rahm convey to Blagojevich that Jackson, Davis, Jones and Burris were all unacceptable? Or is the governor's office putting out malicious lies against Rahm and Reid? Again, the truth is on the tapes. And the ball is in Blago's court, as Reid has all but openly called him a liar.

Incidentally, can one imagine the firestorm if Mitch McConnell, GOP leader, was reported to have called members of the Republican National Committee and told them all the candidates for party chair were acceptable, except for Ken Blackwell of Ohio and Michael Steele of Maryland, the two African-Americans?

McConnell would suffer the fate of Trent Lott, the GOP leader who in 2002 had to resign his post over a toast to 100-year-old Strom Thurmond. Lott observed that Strom had run for president on the Dixiecrat ticket in 1948, that Mississippi had voted for him and that, had Strom been elected, we might not have all these problems.

Lott was maliciously accused of endorsing the segregationist stand Strom had run on, 54 years before, though Lott never voted for segregation, and Strom's voting record had been consistent for decades with that of other Southern conservatives.

Al Gore, whose father, Sen. Albert Gore Sr., stood beside Strom and voted against the Civil Rights Act of 1964, called Lott's remarks racist and urged his censure by the Senate.

Let us see if the media, and his colleagues, are as tough on Reid as they were on Lott.

 

 

January 6, 2009

 

 

PoliticsNY.Net: ERIE COUNTY BUDGET A "WORKING DOCUMENT"

 

 

 

The Erie County Budget is  a "working document", i.e. a work in progress.

 

The unplanned extraction of $6,200.000.00 in Medicaid reimbursements from the General Fund ordered by Health Commissioner Daines, NYS Department of Health last week is an excellent example of why the County budget is a fluid document subject to change.

 

Three things:

 

1) The money was a Medicaid payment for care of the indigent. Families, children, the working poor, those people who we see on our streets with shopping carts, esp. in this weather, collecting empties, et al. God Bless them!

 

All without any kind of Medical insurance. Ya think!

 

ECMC's mission is to provide care for these citizens; both Kaleida under Jim Kaskie & the Catholic Health system pick up a large part of the cost in providing care to the indigent. In other words they do not turn the indigent away who are seeking emergency care; an honorable pursuit in the search for social justice. ?

 

2) The $6.2M will be restored to the General Fund via the County's reserve accounts, according to Comptroller Poloncarz. This of course means that the reserve account will be that much less with respect to maintaining a 5% of the General Fund or $60M in reserves using 09 numbers. The 5% a Charter mandate, as well a Wall Street recommendation via the County's bond program.

 

3) This payment interestingly enough gives everyone a gracious way out of the current legal entanglement that the Legislature & the Executive find themselves in with respect to who sets the County Property  tax levy, being heard in NYS Justice John Michalek's court Monday at 9:30.

 

The loss of the $6.2M demands a very small tax increase as budgeted for by the Executive in the 09 document. Not only the Medicaid payment  but the continued decline in sales tax revenue demand a revenue enhancement; a cry for responsible governance in a difficult political environment, AKA election year.

 

Thus, we have the answer to a question asked by one very involved legislator last week: "Why is the County Executive so intent on raising taxes?"

 

Answer: Politics not withstanding, it is just the responsible thing to do.

 

Keeping in mind the 08 budget is NOT a Collins budget but Giambra's final budget, there is no one to blame. If the Legislature wants a finding just revisit the Charter & change the language; right now most everyone without a vested political interest including the County Control Board's Ken Kruly a democrat & former County Executive Dennis Gorski's budget director believe its the Executive's call.

 

Point being our leaders have an opportunity to step back & reevaluate on the behalf of "the people", who do not want a judicial remedy. We are just listening to the people; the people do not want a tax increase, no excuse me court case! ###

 

 JosephIlluzzi704@aol.com

 

 

NO STATE OF UPSTATE SPEECH - HOWEVER

 

 

 

"Governor David A. Paterson announced that he will hold a series of town hall meetings across Upstate New York in the weeks following his first State of the State address. The first of several town hall meetings and events will be held this Sunday, January 11 in Watertown, and is open to the public. Governor Paterson will spend a portion of the next six weeks traveling throughout Upstate New York to hear the concerns of everyday residents and to deliver his agenda for the coming year as we confront historic economic challenges.

“This is a difficult time for New Yorkers in every part of the State. Now, more than ever, we must work together and support one another as we build a better, stronger future for New York,” said Governor Paterson. “This week, I will deliver my first State of the State address. I will lay out my goals for the coming year and I look forward to personally delivering that message to New Yorkers across the State as I embark on an Upstate tour in the days and weeks to come.”

Governor Paterson added: “On Wednesday, I will celebrate our State’s regional diversity, but discuss the importance of coming together as one unified state. In that spirit, I will not deliver a separate State of the Upstate address this year; instead, I will hold several town hall meetings and events to hear directly from our Upstate citizens about the challenges they face.”

Governor Paterson will travel throughout Upstate New York in the next six weeks, and will hold at least four town hall meetings and other public events. In addition to Sunday’s Watertown meeting, Governor Paterson plans to hold State of the State town hall meetings in Western New York, the Finger Lakes region and the Southern Tier. The full Upstate travel schedule will be announced after the Governor’s State of the State Address.

The Watertown town hall meeting will take place at the North Side Improvement League located at 633 Mill Street on Sunday, January 11 at 5 pm. Doors open at 4 pm, seating is limited and will be provided on a first come first serve basis. Starting Tuesday, those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP on the Governor’s website at www.ny.gov/governor/townhalls. Those wishing to submit questions or comments may do so at the same address."

 

 

 

CORWIN TAKES OATH OF OFFICE

Pledges to Enact Agenda of Reform and Fiscal Responsibility

(Albany, NY) "Assemblywoman-elect Jane Corwin, will be sworn in to the office of New York State Assembly for the 142^nd District at 3:30 pm on Tuesday January 6^th in Albany, New York. The ceremony will take place in the Legislative office building and be officiated by the Hon. Vito Caruso.

"As my first term begins, I look forward to working with my colleagues in the state Legislature to restore fiscal stability and bring growth back to New York. I will be a strong, independent voice on behalf of the hardworking taxpayers of the 142^nd district," said Assemblywoman Jane Corwin.

Elected on the platform of bringing reform to Albany, Corwin received 90% of the vote in the November 2008 election, representing a resounding mandate for change. As 2009 begins, it is clear that New York State faces serious economic and budgetary issues. Jane Corwin recognizes these issues and has stressed that lawmakers need to come together and aggressively pursue solutions to the fiscal problems facing New York State.

"I will fight for the interests of the hardworking taxpayers of the 142^nd Assembly district. I plan to work to reform Albany, reduce taxes, and create jobs here locally," said Corwin. "Western New Yorkers are sick and tired of the status quo in Albany, and want a representative with real private sector business experience."

A local swearing in ceremony will take place on January 15^th at 6:30 pm at the Clarence Town Park in Clarence, New York. The ceremony will be officiated by Clarence Town Justice Mike Powers and is open to all who wish to attend. Constituents seeking more information can contact Michael Mallia at 716.430.8747.

 

 

Another View i.e. Not the view of this publication

 

PONZI CAPITALISM

by Michael I. Niman

 

Two names have been wed in the news this month: Charles Ponzi, the con artist busted in 1920, and Bernard Madoff, one of America’s most successful hedge fund managers and a reputable pillar of the Wall Street financial community. Madoff, whose name is actually pronounced “made off,” took the scheme that Ponzi made famous to new heights, conning some of the world’s biggest banks and richest personalities, making off with an incomprehensible sum of money over three times the size of the auto industry bailout.

But I’m confused. A Ponzi con goes like this: Some reputable crook sells an investment instrument that promises attractive returns. As new folks invest, the crook pays off previous investors, who actually see the promised returns on their investment. This continues on as new cohorts of investors buy technically worthless stocks or shares, the purchase of which fund payoffs to earlier investors. The actual stock or investment has no concrete value. It is not backed by a tangible item such as gold, real estate, or even a used car or a big lollipop. Nada. Nothing. It’s only value lies in the fact that people, for whatever reason, believe it has value. This belief creates a supply of fresh capital to keep the operation running while its crook-in-chief siphons his cut off the top. The early investors make out okay, as long as they cash out. The later investors, those mindlessly and greedily following the herd, are screwed.

I’m confused because I’ve also just described the global economy. The dollars in your pocket are what economists call “fiat currency.” While US currency was once redeemable for, and hence backed up by, a fixed amount of gold or silver, that system finally collapsed under the Nixon administration, which was essentially bankrupted by the costs of the Vietnam War. The US could no longer afford to back up its money with gold or silver since it had taken to printing money on an as-needed basis, essentially taxing the population by playing the margins on an inflating currency that it could print at will.

At the time, we had become so used to trading these paper slips for real goods that we forgot how this habit started. Words like “silver certificate” and any other indication of redemption value disappeared from our currency. We left “In God We Trust” on the bills, not because the masters of our economy necessarily trusted God but because it was good marketing for what essentially was a Ponzi investment. What, you got a problem with God?

Money has value not because it has any intrinsic worth. It has value because people value it. That’s it. People around the world continue to invest their worth in our conceptual currency, maybe because shaky as it is, it’s still better regarded than their own. In any event, as long as they keep investing in greenbacks, prior owners can keep trading them in, as with Ponzi’s and Madoff’s schemes.

Then there’s the stock market—global capitalism’s nest. Stocks have value? Well…

Okay, there are the fundamentals. Tangible things like factories and inventory. They have real value. And when you buy stock, you’re buying part of that value. But for the most part, those aren’t the hot stocks. Old economy accruements such as manufacturing plants are now seen as albatrosses. They require maintenance. Their operating expenses are susceptible to uncontrollable variables such as energy and labor costs. New economy corporations are rewarding for shedding the unwieldy weight of employees and buildings.

Wall Street’s stars are stars because they’re stars. That’s it. People invest in stocks because their values are going up, and the bet is that they will continue to go up. The rich are usually the first to get on and then off this train. The middle class, seeing how rich the rich got investing in air, then put their life savings into the roulette wheel, often in time for “bubble bursts” and “market adjustments.”

Like with any other Ponzi scheme, it’s a confidence game. It falls apart when the confidence ends. Right now we’re seeing a crisis of confidence.

Now let’s look at housing. When the tech bubble burst—meaning, when the romance of technology stocks wore off and people tried to assess their real value—the smart money pulled out early and took refuge in real estate. This gave us the era of McMansions, obese little castles wedging themselves onto the suburban landscape.

By 2000, real estate was well poised to be the new Ponzi. People burned by the revaluing of technology paper were looking for something real to invest in. Real estate is certainly real. And it’s a finite commodity—sort of like gold or silver. But the problem is that real and valuable as it really was, it wasn’t anywhere near as valuable as a frenzied market made it out to be—and up it shot. The collateral damage here came in the form of homelessness and personal bankruptcies as more and more poor and working folks got priced out of the housing market entirely.

For everyone else, euphoria about not being homeless blinded them as they signed off on bulging mortgages for real estate saddled by intangible conceptual values. These were still good investments because, costly as these homes seemed, they could always be sold to someone else for more. Ponzi!

In the end everyone bought into the global Ponzi scheme. This week we’re shocked to find out that HSBC Bank invested a billion bucks with con artist Madoff. Imagine this staid old opium bank making such an irresponsible buy. But let’s look, for example, at “fiscally conservative” M&T Bank. I’m using them as an example because last week they sent a letter to investors boasting that smart guy Warren Buffett is one of their major stockholders—so not to worry. M&T didn’t (at least so far as we know) hand over a billion dollars to a charismatic swindler. But their business plan moved money from the regions where it’s invested, into overheated housing markets in Florida and New York City where they’ll loan a half a million dollars for the purchase of a one-room apartment—securing their loan only with the belief that there will continue to be people who believe that a one-room apartment is worth a half million dollars.

So let’s get back to Madoff’s Ponzi scheme, and let’s look at his victims. Exactly what was it they were investing in again? No one knew. No one cared. They just wanted a piece of the action.

Madoff never claimed to run a Ponzi scheme. But he did admit to being a hedge fund manager. And people were cool with that because whatever a hedge fund is, it makes money. They didn’t care how it made its money. They just cared that it made money. That’s the real crime of the stock market. No one cares where the money comes from or how it’s made, or what the environmental and human costs are. They just want a piece of it so they could put the down payment on a new McMansion or Ferrari. Now they got burned. End of story.

Dr. Michael I. Niman is a professor of journalism and media studies at Buffalo State College. His previous Artvoice columns are available at artvoice.com, archived at mediastudy.com, and available globally through syndication.

 

 

New York State Association of Counties

 

Counties Release Economy Watch to Improve Economic Development in NYS

 

 

As State Lawmakers return to Albany this week for Governor David Paterson’s “State of the State” Address marking the start of a Legislative Session that will be dominated by economic news, today the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) released its own version of the economic “State of the State” in a report aimed at arming government officials with a centralized set of local-based economic data.

 

The report, called Economy Watch, includes a range of economic indicators not currently available in one place. The one page document will be sent monthly to county and state leaders, with more detailed supporting data available from the official NYSAC website at www.nysac.org.

 

“The state of our current economy is floundering and foreboding,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario. “End of year layoff announcements indicate New York will lose more than 12,000 in the first three months of 2009. These are not just statistics on a chart. These job losses affect families, and have a real and direct impact to our state and local economies. Clearly, state and local leaders must ramp up efforts to retain and attract jobs to New York.”

 

Today’s edition features the latest reported data, including full month numbers from November 2008 and layoff announcements through December 31, 2008. 

 

“There are more than a dozen groups in New York State tracking economic statistics. To assist county government leaders involved in these decisions statewide, NYSAC is bringing important economic data together with local analysis. This will enable more informed decisions to be made in communities across the state,” said NYSAC President Sarah Purdy, the Yates County Administrator.

 

“What we gather out of this report is that the state has lost more than 41,000 private sector jobs from a year ago. This is an alarm that must be heeded,” said Purdy.

 

NYSAC’s Economy Watch will be updated monthly and include a range of data including business cycle indicators, the consumer price index, job growth and layoff numbers, consumer and business confidence indicators, as well as local housing prices and sales activity.

 

“There is no denying that the national and state economic recession has hit New York State,  and county leaders recognize that most critical component of a successful recovery is to foster job growth,” said Acquario. “The one bright spot is that New York’s housing prices have remained stable over the past year and have not mirrored the drastic decline in sales prices experienced on a national level.”   

 

New York State Association of Counties is a bipartisan municipal association serving all 62 counties of New York State including the City of New York. Organized in 1925, NYSAC’s mission is to represent, educate and advocate for member counties and the thousands of elected and appointed county officials who serve the public.

 

 

 

January 5, 2009

 

 

PoliticsNY.Net: CARETAKER TO REPLACE HIL?

 

Paterson says: "No 'caretaker' for Hillary Clinton's Senate seat."

 

Illuzzi: That is a period at the end of that sentence.

 

 

 

We like this idea because if Mayor Byron Brown or Congressman Brian Higgins isn't appointed we would like to see Caroline Kennedy run for the job in her own right rather than rely on history - "Friends & Family" to attempt to pressure Governor David Paterson into appointing her!

 

Look if we want a coronation we would crown Hil queen; or one of Giuliani's three wives! Governor, we are simply not prepared in this environment to "eat cake".

 

NY TIMES  "Sen. Bill Clinton? Sen. Mario Cuomo? Don't completely rule it out. The former president and the former New York governor are among several boldface names being touted as possible ''caretakers'' for New York's Senate seat -- people who would serve until the 2010 elections but wouldn't be interested in running to keep the job.

 

As the process of picking Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's replacement gets messier, the option may become increasingly attractive to Gov. David Paterson, who has sole authority to name a successor." ###

 

JosephIlluzzi704@aol.com

  

 

National Black Republican Association

 

OPEN LETTER TO BARACK OBAMA THE MAGIC NEGRO

Now that you, Barack Hussein Obama, have been anointed as our "transcendent" racial leader, we, your fellow black Americans citizens and members of the National Black Republican Association, request that you demand an apology from black Democrat David Ehrenstein and the "Los Angeles Times" for denigrating you as a "Magic Negro" in an article entitled "Obama the 'Magic Negro' " written by Ehrernstein and printed in the "Los Angeles Times" on March 19, 2007 with the subtitle:  "The Illinois senator lends himself to white America's idealized, less-than-real black man."

Your demand for such an apology would be the catalyst for the healing of our nation's racial wounds inflicted upon us by the 150-years of race-baiting by the Democratic Party for partisan political gain.

For your convenience, here is a link to the "Los Angeles Times" article.

To further assist you, here is a link to the political satire song "Barack the Magic Negro" that is a parody mocking Ehrenstein and the "Los Angeles Times."

Posted on the website at www.NBRA.info (on the news media inquiries page) is our press release which gives our perspective of this matter, and below is the link to our press release.

The following is an article by Larry Elder which provides an analysis of why you are due an apology from Ehrenstein and the "Los Angeles Times".

 

Obama the Magic Negro-Gate 

by Larry Elder

This is how the whole thing started.

David Ehrenstein, a writer who happens to be black and liberal, wrote an opinion piece in March 2007 in the Los Angeles Times called "Obama the 'Magic Negro.'"

He argued that whites, according to sociologists, stereotype blacks as "dangerous." But whites consider Obama accessible, likeable and "benign." This, according to Ehrenstein, explains Obama's "crossover" appeal.

The article insults a) Obama, by virtually ignoring his effectiveness as a candidate, b) whites, by accusing them of voting for Obama merely to assuage their own guilt, and c) Sidney Poitier, the brilliant, groundbreaking actor, for ascribing his success to whites who find him safe and non-threatening.

The article produced virtually no outcry.

Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh then aired a song parody --set to the music of "Puff the Magic Dragon" -- called "Barack the Magic Negro." Referring to the L.A. Times article, an Al Sharpton-like "singer" called Obama inauthentically black. Why, complained the singer, should white folks vote for Obama rather than a true black man "from the hood" like -- me.

Chip Saltsman, a candidate for chairman of the Republican National Committee, sent the song on a CD with 40 other songs, in a Christmas mailer to committee members. Doesn't the mailer, asked several cable news programs, expose the Republicans -- yet again -- for their tone deafness on the issue of race? CNN host Anderson Cooper asked about the term "Negro." Isn't it pejorative?

Never mind the parody actually satirized Al Sharpton. The song implies that Sharpton hoped against an Obama victory, for it crushes Sharpton's argument about America's alleged institutional racism, a force so potent in a country so racist that Obama could not win. An Obama win threatens to reduce the significance of Sharpton-like black leaders. And never mind a black liberal -- who started the whole thing -- called Obama a "Negro."

When will the GOP -- on the issue of race -- go on the offense?

After all, for 100 years, the Democratic Party showed its tone deafness to the rights of blacks. Democrats opposed the 13th Amendment (freeing the slaves), the 14th Amendment (making ex-slaves citizens) and the 15th Amendment (that, on paper at least, gave blacks the right to vote). Democrats founded the Ku Klux Klan -- some even call it the "terrorist wing of the Democratic Party." And a greater percentage of Republicans than Democrats voted for the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Alabama Gov. George "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever" Wallace was a Democrat. Georgia Gov. Lester Maddox, who as a restaurateur, left pick handles hanging on the walls to provide customers recourse in the event an uppity black tried to enter his restaurant. He was a Democrat. Arkansas Gov. Orville Faubus attempted, in 1957, to prevent the integration of Little Rock High School. He was a Democrat. Bull Connor, the commissioner of public safety for Birmingham, Ala., turned water hoses and dogs on civil rights activists. He was a Democrat.

But what about the infamous Republican Southern strategy?

The co-author of the strategy, Pat Buchanan, wrote in 2002: "Richard Nixon kicked off his historic comeback in 1966 with a column on the South (by this writer) that declared we would build our Republican Party on a foundation of states rights, human rights, small government and a strong national defense, and leave it to the [Democratic] 'party of Maddox and Wallace to squeeze the last ounces of political juice out of the rotting fruit of racial injustice.'"

Today it's Democrats who blatantly use the race card to malign Republicans as a collection of bigots. Yet it's Republicans who support school choice and private Social Security savings accounts -- both of which disproportionately help blacks.

Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Democrat Charlie Rangel, said of Republicans, "It's not 'spic' or 'nigger' anymore. They say 'let's cut taxes.'" Rangel, in an attack on Bush, called him "our Bull Connor." Donna Brazile, then Al Gore's campaign manager, called Republicans "white boys," and said, "A white-boy attitude is 'I must exclude, denigrate and leave behind.'"

Hillary Clinton, before a group of blacks, condemned the then-Republican-controlled Congress: "When you look at the way the House of Representatives has been run, it has been run like a plantation, and you know what I'm talking about." Then-candidate and now Democratic Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill said of George Bush's response to Hurricane Katrina, "George Bush let people die on rooftops in New Orleans because they were poor and because they were black." In a Katrina hearing, Democrat Barney Frank accused Bush of intentionally responding sluggishly. Why? Katrina would induce blacks to leave Louisiana, making it a more solidly Republican red state -- a Bush scheme that Frank called "ethnic cleansing by inaction."

Democratic Party chairman Howard Dean recently referred to the Republican Party as the "white party." The 35 percent of Asians and 31 percent of Hispanics who voted Republican apparently don't count.

So who should apologize to whom?

 

January 4, 2009

 

 

PoliticsNY. Net: SHERIFF TIM HOWARD

 

"I still do not understand why Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz would say something that stupid."

 

 

UPDATE: After rereading the IG's report it is clear person or persons unknown at this time were out to destroy this man's career. Cuomo should be investigating who is behind this assault on George Alexander & his family; using his good offices to arrive at their goal. ###

 

I spent about an hour discussing the George Alexander plea with Sheriff Howard Monday. We did not get into the political motivation or motives period of  Poloncarz, or NYS AG Cuomo for that matter.

 

Just the facts: Howard put the highly respected Senior Detective Alan Rozansky on the case, working with the IG's office. The Sheriff's office knew nothing of the Alexander matter until March 20, 2008; the matter was addressed eight days later.  

 

{"County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz said his office first started the investigation following a routine audit of equipment purchases. He said he believes officials in the county probation and sheriff’s department knew about the missing computer “and did nothing.” “If it weren’t for an anonymous tipster, no one would have known,” he said of a call his office got this year. "

 

"Howard said Poloncarz was being “disingenuous” last week when he told The Buffalo News the Sheriff’s Office knew about a missing laptop computer “and did nothing.” “It’s absolutely, totally wrong,” Howard, a Republican, said Monday. “When he makes that stupid of a mistake I have to assume that he’s doing it to be political,” he said of Poloncarz, a Democrat."}

 

 

"Poloncarz statement to the Buffalo News that we knew about the alleged theft & did nothing is fiction," explains Howard.

 

 

Let me make four points:

 

1) According to the Inspector General's report the City of Buffalo purchased the lap top computer in 2006 via a grant in conjunction with related County agencies.

 

"During Alexander’s tenure as Director of the Erie County Probation Department, the department participated in a multiagency program designed to reduce juvenile violence in Buffalo, the Buffalo Youth Impact Project. The Probation) department joined with other local agencies and the City of Buffalo to request grant funding from the state Division of Criminal Justice Services for the program. The portion of the funding proposed for the (County) probation department was to cover overtime for probation officers making home visits to at-risk youth, and to purchase a laptop computer to allow the officers to record the findings of their visits in the field."

 

The IG's report goes on to say that the lap top was never used for the intended purpose once Alexander took it home. However, they really have NO way of knowing that as an absolute.

 

I can write with almost absolute certainty: George Alexander used his "PERSONAL" computer for work related issues from home! The question then becomes strictly in terms of dollars & common sense, is there an equivalency at work here.

 

"Fair exchange, my cherished readers, is NO robbery"

 

Looks like Alexander's kid got a hold of the computer; we parents all know what that is like, end of story! (This whole thing is stupid!)

 

2) Deputy County Executive Mark Davis, in what is routine, after the computer was returned said "case closed". The "authority" to make that decision is  with the County Executive.

 

3) Under what authority & why did Poloncarz pursue Alexander & why? Even more egregious call him into his office for questioning? He does not have that authority; did Poloncarz read Alexander his rights if he was acting as a "peace officer" or did anyone else for that matter?

 

4) Why would AG Cuomo charge Alexander with "two felonies" the real value of the lap top is less than $1500 in 99% of the time? There is NO precedent for these charges!

 

George Alexander: “This is an exciting time to review our approach to rehabilitating offenders and post-release supervision. We look forward to achieving more successes in integrating inmates back into the community while continuing to give great consideration to victims and victims’ families.”

 

Sheriff Tim Howard: "Absent this unresolved issue, the Erie County Sheriff's Department recognized & appreciated the good work George Alexander did as Director of the NYS  Parole Board."

 

Illuzzi: Let me conclude by writing that there have been a number "high profile" political appointments to the Parole Board & staff. George Alexander could not have been happy with his office being used as a political dumping ground for "friends & family" via Erie County & NYC Democrats. While Alexander used poor judgment this superfluous exercise could be "political retribution." This could be related to some of his decisions related to specific cases that he was criticized for in 07.

 

Do I believe race is an issue; this remains a very - very serious interrogative that begs a declarative response one way or the other. I know this in the case of one of Alexander's accusers there are NO Blacks in senior positions & maybe one or two other than that on staff (Kinda like the Buffalo News). ###

 

 

GADFLY KEVIN GAUGHAN IS ASKING THE WRONG QUESTIONS!

 

"Noblesse oblige" means, literally, "nobility obligates".

 

1) Whoever claims to be noble must conduct himself nobly.

 

2) (Figuratively) One must act in a fashion that conforms with one's position, and with the reputation that one has earned.

 

 

Gaughan has run for just about every office & raised whatever issue to attract attention to himself over the last two decades. The Buffalo News, et al. gave him his bully pulpit, i.e. life support.

 

The question Gaughan should be asking in his most recent policy assault:

 

"What are the taxpayers in Erie County's local governments  getting in return for spending a very few dollars comparatively on the size of their respective legislative bodies?"

 

The fact is in most if not all of the local governments taxpayers are getting what they pay for.

 

Keeping in mind Erie County's property tax rate is low as compared to the rest of the state. The region has a GMP (gross municipal product) of $40 Billion 50th out of 363 cities surveyed.

 

The quality of life for most in & outside the City is the envy of the nation, e.g. housing, schools, cultural, recreational, etc. (the real problem is state income taxes & local school taxes)

 

The thing that bothers me the most about reducing the size of local legislative bodies is if one reduces from what 5 to 3 like in West Seneca for instance there will not be sufficient viewpoints & debate to assure the citizens of West Seneca be heard & the right outcomes realized.

 

Well then Gaughan would argue why not 30 or 40, that is a silly argument.

 

The bottom line is given the "low cost" of retaining these governing boards & the results given the quality of life in these municipalities, one can conclude: 

 

It is not broken & not in need of reduction or fixing.

 

Except of course to give Kevin Gaughan a "cause celebre". ###

 

 

HOWEVER REDUCE THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE FROM 15 to 9

 

 

This vote can be taken in November, 2009. Souces say, "Chairwoman Martha Lamparelli, whose 21st Century Commission is reviewing the question, believes the Commission's recommendations could be on the ballot in 09."

 

Consolidate:

 

Districts: 1 & 2 -  4 & 5 -  8 & 9 - 10 & 11 - 12 & 13 - 14 & 15 Leave 3-6-7 & as is! ###