The Chicagoization and Detroitification of America continue.
The contrast between NYC and upstate NY is extreme. Upstate NY is largely a poor region with few jobs that pay low wages. The few cities are dilapidated and troubled. The government out of Albany serves NYC and ignores the plight of the rest of the state’s residents.
Why not include enough of an excerpt to at least share the topic instead of just a teaser?
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Upstate has been in steep decline for many years with high unemployment and young people fleeing to other states to find jobs, leaving an aging and increasingly poor population behind.
Cuomo could approve gas drilling to jump-start the economy, but his base (upstate and downstate) is against it. Meanwhile, the ultra-liberal Illinois House voted 108 to 9 to approve hydrofracking. Democrat Governor Pat Quinn said, “Passage of hydrofracking legislation…brings good news for jobs, economic development and environmental protection in Illinois.” Hydrofracking will add $9.5 billion to the Illinois economy.
Even the rabidly liberal California legislature won’t ban hydrofracking. Hyper-green Democrat Governor Jerry Brown said hydrofracking “could be a fabulous economic opportunity.” California could gain 2.8 million jobs and $24.6 billion new tax revenue.
President Obama is also pro-fracking, saying that advances in drilling have “helped to drive our carbon pollution to its lowest levels in nearly 20 years.” He has pledged to “keep working with the industry to make drilling safer and cleaner.”
Cuomo’s delays on fracking are a political con. He knows fracking will boost our economy, but he’s scared of his environmental base; so he dithers, hoping to placate both sides.
Instead of the economic boost of hydrofracking, Cuomo announced more Regional Economic Development Council grants, which have already cost $1.5 billion. Cuomo claims they helped in “creating or helping to maintain” (whatever “helping to maintain” means) 75,000 jobs statewide” – but the reality is that these projects have produced an insignificant number of jobs that haven’t improved the upstate economy because they first took money out of the upstate economy to fund the grants.
Don’t expect actual help from Cuomo or other downstate politicians. They want us weak so we’re no threat to them. Besides, what’s in it for them if our economy improves? If Cuomo allows gas drilling, he will build a constituency not beholden to downstate Democrats and their pals here, and that could be a threat.
New York is the most regulated state in the union. Landowners’ property rights are trampled. Gun owners continue to be a political target. We’re crippled by oppressive taxes and regulations. It might seem hopeless. But we can begin to take our government back by electing local candidates willing to confront upstate anti-frackers and their downstate allies. Article IX of the New York State constitution, the Home Rule provision, which gives local governments the power to act on “property, affairs, or governments,” should be enforced. This idea can appeal to discerning Democrats, Independents and Republicans. Let’s use it to say no to Albany’s destructive policies.
Well, if you consider upstate NY the area directly above Albany, it's not a bad analogy.