Posted on 07/05/2009 1:36:44 PM PDT by Altura Ct.
STATE GOVERNMENT HAS NEVER BEEN SO CLOWNISH, SO EVIL, SO IRRELEVANT
Having witnessed the anarchy, chaos and lack of leadership that has engulfed the state Capitol during the past month, I have a painful confession to make.
After three decades as a journalist covering state government, if I had to do it all over again, I'd find another job.
I've covered Govs. Hugh Carey, Mario Cuomo, George Pataki, Eliot Spitzer and David Paterson and for New York to wind up like this after 35 years of modern leadership, it's clear to me that my real job has been to chronicle the devolution -- the decay and decline -- of New York state.
We're going backwards, not forwards, and of late we've even been falling apart.
The Empire State -- once a beacon of progressive state government to the nation -- is on the brink of ruin. And it doesn't look like anything can be done to stop it.
In two words: We're doomed.
Hapless Gov. Paterson and the street-fighting leaders of the state Senate have, as everyone knows, turned state government into a national laughingstock.
Within the Capitol itself, where knowledge of the disaster is more acute, the assessments are far harsher and more personally painful. They are disbelief, disgust, and even despair.
I've had a dozen low- to mid-level staffers -- hallway cleaners, messengers, guards, sergeants at arms, researchers, and lawyers -- buttonhole me in recent days and, in a hushed voice, make comments such as, "I'm ashamed to work here,'' "I've given my life for this?'' and "I feel like I work for morons."
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Only in Dicker’s mind was NY a beacon.
It was unmanageable, the budgets were always pathetically late, and they state was nearly always bankrupt.
Jobs fled upstate, NYC was a cesspool of corruption and sleaze.
There was a brief moment of hope for a while but it’s been dashed. Bloomie time is reverting to Dinkins time in the city.
Even the very wealthy are despairing of things improving in the state.
We have another corrupt Cuoma in public office and things are a long long way from improving.
Time to start pushing back at every level. We have get rid of the morons at all levels of government.
Be in D.C. in September! We need at least two million people there to show them we are not going to take any more of their idiocy.
A government that can’t do anything sounds like a good thing to me. Maybe the “kids” should be sent to the corner for some “time out”.
It can be a real bitch to have your own tactics used against you. Confused government is the best thing that can happen to the citizens short of a complete governmentectomy. This way at least they can’t screw you any worse until they settle their own wars. GOVERNMENT IS THE PROBLEM, NOT THE SOLUTION.
ROFL There is your problem right there! Personally, I dream of the day our US Senate starts the same thing! All this because the demonrats refuse to give up the majority in their senate. ALL they care about is power! Not getting anything done? We can only wish WA were unable to!
Every one knows the problem but cannot openly discuss it. For example, one would be banned even on conservative web sites, taken off radio and TV, not allowed access to the print media, if one openly stated the truth. We are rapidly approaching that glorious stage that Livy noted for his people; "... when we can neither endure our vices nor face the remedies needed to cure them..."
“progressive” -——> laughing stock . simple math not taught in school anymore.
+1000
What 1st amendment?
Don't worry. California keeps yanking the bulls eye away from you.
By the end of this next four years, we will all be able to say that.
That covers official acts of government but not one-hand-washes-the-other reprisals.
I’m certain that I can say right now that I’m being governed by morons.
I’ve read Fred Dicker for many years and I’ve found him entertaining, informed, and mostly on target. But here I part company. I have no wish to see this idiotic dispute settled. A paralyzed legislature is one that is not raising my taxes, increasing regulations, providing more and more goodies to the non producing class. When the vast number of NYers see that this do nothing legislature is having no effect on their quality of life, that they are not paying higher taxes, that they are not having to recycle Poland Spring bottles, that they are not having to pay 5 cents for a plastic bag, they will see the value in smaller less intrusive govt.
Zimbabwe on the Hudson! Dreck in = Dreck out!
Let it all come crashing down-— sooner the better. Morons electing morons...and so it is.
ALL INCUMBENTS DEMOCRAP AND REPUBLICAN - OUT!!!!!!!!!
Dicker, have you been a cheerleader for govt. in the past?
Then you are as much to blame as they are.
“New York’s magnificent Capitol Building...” Is he kidding? Nothing is more symbolic of how screwed up New York is than the Capitol Building. Each of the four sides was designed by a different architect, and it looks like it was assembled from second hand parts by a work crew on acid. New York’s a joke. I know. I’ve lived here all my life [’cept when i was overseas on a Laird Fellowship].
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