Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Albany, I Give Up
NY Post ^ | 7/5/2009 | FREDRIC U. DICKER

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 ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; US: New York
KEYWORDS: albany; corruption; equality; government; newyork; ny2009; paterson
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-38 next last

1 posted on 07/05/2009 1:36:44 PM PDT by Altura Ct.
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.

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.


2 posted on 07/05/2009 1:41:29 PM PDT by Carley (OBAMA IS A MALEVOLENT FORCE IN THE WORLD)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.

Time to start pushing back at every level. We have get rid of the morons at all levels of government.

http://pushbackuntil.com

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.


3 posted on 07/05/2009 1:42:08 PM PDT by DennisR (Look around - God gives countless, indisputable, and unambiguous clues that He does, indeed, exist.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.

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”.


4 posted on 07/05/2009 1:44:16 PM PDT by Dapper 26
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.

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.


5 posted on 07/05/2009 1:44:51 PM PDT by Steamburg ( Your wallet speaks the only language most politicians understand.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.
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.

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!

6 posted on 07/05/2009 1:49:38 PM PDT by gidget7 (Duncan Hunter-Valley Forge Republican!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.
i have only heard bits and pieces of what is happening in albany - not front page news down here in texas - but it seems they are making louisiana politics look like the model of decorum - kinda reminds me of those videos on the news of third world countries that have fights break out in their legislatures
7 posted on 07/05/2009 1:51:02 PM PDT by sloop (pfc in the quiet civil war)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.
In the last days of the Roman Republic their government had become paralyzed. Our constitutions, State and Federal, were not designed for the various incompatible factions living in this country; hence, we are drifting into paralyzed government and ultimately into a chaos. Look at California as well as New York-paralyzed!

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..."

8 posted on 07/05/2009 1:51:32 PM PDT by AEMILIUS PAULUS (It is a shame that when these people give a riot)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.
“Let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God [Exodus 18:21]. . . . If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted . . . If our government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the Divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws”…. Noah Webster, ‘The History of the United States’
9 posted on 07/05/2009 1:58:07 PM PDT by tflabo (Truth or Tyranny)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.

“progressive” -——> laughing stock . simple math not taught in school anymore.


10 posted on 07/05/2009 1:58:24 PM PDT by SantaLuz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: AEMILIUS PAULUS
Every one knows the problem but cannot openly discuss it.

+1000

What 1st amendment?

11 posted on 07/05/2009 1:59:57 PM PDT by Altura Ct.
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.
Hapless Gov. Paterson and the street-fighting leaders of the state Senate have, as everyone knows, turned state government into a national laughingstock.

Don't worry. California keeps yanking the bulls eye away from you.

12 posted on 07/05/2009 2:03:07 PM PDT by Richard Kimball (We're all criminals. They just haven't figured out what some of us have done yet.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.
"I feel like I work for morons."

By the end of this next four years, we will all be able to say that.

13 posted on 07/05/2009 2:03:56 PM PDT by denydenydeny ("I'm sure this goes against everything you've been taught, but right and wrong do exist"-Dr House)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.

That covers official acts of government but not one-hand-washes-the-other reprisals.


14 posted on 07/05/2009 2:10:47 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Don't blame me -- I use Linux.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: denydenydeny

I’m certain that I can say right now that I’m being governed by morons.


15 posted on 07/05/2009 2:11:41 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Don't blame me -- I use Linux.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Carley

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.


16 posted on 07/05/2009 2:15:15 PM PDT by xkaydet65
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.

Zimbabwe on the Hudson! Dreck in = Dreck out!
Let it all come crashing down-— sooner the better. Morons electing morons...and so it is.


17 posted on 07/05/2009 2:21:45 PM PDT by tflabo (Truth or Tyranny)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.
THROW THE BUMS OUT!

ALL INCUMBENTS DEMOCRAP AND REPUBLICAN - OUT!!!!!!!!!

18 posted on 07/05/2009 2:26:24 PM PDT by Mr. K (physically unabel to proofreed (<---oops))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.

Dicker, have you been a cheerleader for govt. in the past?

Then you are as much to blame as they are.


19 posted on 07/05/2009 2:32:40 PM PDT by Mr. K (physically unabel to proofreed (<---oops))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.

“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].


20 posted on 07/05/2009 2:56:47 PM PDT by PzLdr ("The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am" - Darth Vader)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-38 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson