Here is something I bet you didn't know about New York. We are a great place to open a small business! Yes, it is true! In page taken from Texas Governor Rick Perry, our Governor Andrew Cuomo (potential 2016 Presidential hopeful) is rolling out a new ad touting how business-friendly the State of New York is. Who knew? Unfortunately, the ad has not yet been released on YouTube, so you can't see it, but it has been running in the State for a few weeks to the confusion of just about everyone who lives here. And, in a case of really bad timing, a list was published this week of the best and worst states for businesses. Guess which state was No. 49? Go ahead, I dare you. [Hint: New York] Hey, at least New York is above California! That's something that Cuomo can hang his hat on, right? Oh, and guess which state is No. 1...oh, come on. Oh, yeah, do want to know where $140 million of the $60 billion dollars New York received for Hurricane Sandy relief? You guess it...to make Cuomo's ad touting how business-friendly New York is...On a related note: Both Bloomberg and Cuomo have been crowing about our very healthy television and movie industry in the state. And do you know how they have lured all these television and movie productions companies to New York...tax "incentives". The Governor just signed a bill to expand the tax give-a-way to reality and talk shows too. Shortly after the ink dried on the bill, it was announced that "The Tonight Show" would be moving back to New York when Jimmy Fallon takes over at the end of the year! What a coinkidink! All of these tax breaks are reportedly going to bring in a whopping 400 jobs. If only Cuomo could make up his mind about fracking. That could bring in thousands of new jobs, so we could maybe finally lower the unemployment rate to below 10%.
Moving on...
- It's an election year in New York City. We are about to finally divest ourselves of our Mayor/Nanny Bloomberg and the field of candidates is growing by the minute and the pandering is growing even faster. So far, we have promises of minimum wage hikes, mandatory personal days for all workers, and reigning in the evil police department. The list grows. In the following weeks, I will introduce our candidates - there's Christine Quinn the Lesbian City Council Chairperson, John Liu the Asian Comptroller whose two campaign managers was just convicted of campaign fund fraud, the billionaire Grocer, and the disgraced former lying US Representative (who hasn't declared yet). It is going to fun, fun, fun until November! So far, none of these candidates would be any improvement over Bloomberg, but it's early yet.
- The only person who is actually working for the people of New York City, our Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, is under fire because of his successful "Stop and Frisk" policies. The problem is that the police are targeting the worst, most crime-ridden areas and, as the name suggests, stopping and frisking people who appear to be up to no good and may possibly be carrying weapons like guns. It is successful because violent crime (specifically gun-related) is at the lowest levels they have been since the 1970's. Kelly has been very receptive to the concerns that the police may be heavy handed in stopping too many otherwise law-abiding citizens and updated the procedures. But that is not enough for some. They want it stopped completely and as an extra added bonus, many of our current mayoral hopefuls are vowing to do away with it. {{cough..pander...cough}}}
- And speaking of pandering, Congressman Charlie Rangel has filed a lawsuit against Speaker Boehner and other members of the House Ethics Committee to overturn his 2010 censure. He claims he continues "to suffer irreparable harm that cannot be compensated by money damages..." and the committee "acted knowingly, intentionally and willfully to frustrate the goal of assuring adherence to plaintiff's due process rights." The 40+ year Congressman, former Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committe claims he did not intend to be a tax cheat for 17 years, he was just careless. If it weren't so pathetic, it would almost be funny.
- Finally - I know, I know. You thought that there cannot possibly be anyone in our state legislature left to arrest, right? Never underestimate Albany. Yes, this week brought a new arrest with the possibility of up to six as-yet-to-be-named others to add to my rogues' gallery. This week we add State Senator John Sampson (D) former Senate Majority leader and head of the Senate Democrat Caucus was caught in sting in which other Rogue's Gallery member Shirley Huntley, in a plea deal, wore a wire. He is even accused of pressing a friend in the US Attorney's office to turn over the names of all of the cooperating witnesses who could make a case against him, so he could arrange to “take them out.” You would think by now that the New York State Dems would be embarrassed, but Gov. Cuomo just gives lip-service to reform the ethics of the Legislature.
Drumroll please......
State Senator John Sampson (D) - two counts of embezzlement, five counts of obstruction of justice and two counts of making false statements to the FBI.
State Assemblyman Eric Stevenson (D)- Arrested for accepting bribes to pass legislation for his special interests with 4 co-conspirators.
State Assemblyman Nelson Castro (D) - resigned after turning states' evidence and wearing a wire to implicate Assemblyman Stevenson. He was compelled to help the Feds because he was under indictment for perjury.
State Senator Malcolm Smith (D) - Arrested for paying bribes to NYC Councilman Daniel Halloran (R) to secure a spot on the Republican ticket for the upcoming Mayoral election.
NYC Councilman Daniel Halloran (R) - Arrested for accepting a bribe from State Senator Malcolm Smith (D) for same.
Oh, plus "...five other politicians, three Republicans and two Democrats, were also arrested and charged with collectively accepting more than $100,000 in bribes in meetings that often took place in parked cars, hotel rooms and state offices..."
State Senator Shirley Huntley (D): pleaded guilty to embezzlement of $90,000 in taxpayer funds for personal shopping sprees.
State Assembly Vivian Cook (D): not yet charged; implicated in procuring funds to be funneled to Sen. Huntley and participating in personal shopping sprees.
State Assembly Jimmy Meng (D): pleaded guilty to soliciting bribes
US Representative Gregory Meeks (D): Currently under investigation for accepting $40,000 in unreported "loans" from Queens businessman Edul Ahmad. Ahmad has pleaded guilty and awaiting sentences in a $50 million mortgage fraud scheme.
State Senator Carl Kruger (D) - resigned his seat and pleaded guilty to charges of corruption and bribery. (2011)
State Senator Hiram Monserrate (D-NY) - of the 13th District, was expelled by the New York State Senate on February 9, 2010 in connection with a misdemeanor assault conviction against his girlfriend.
State Senator Efrain Gonzalez (D-NY) On May 25, 2010, Gonzalez was sentenced to 84 months (7 years) in prison, followed by two years supervised release, after pleading guilty to two conspiracy counts and two wire fraud counts in May 2009.
President of the New York City council Andrew Stein (D) - was convicted of tax evasion regarding a Ponzi scheme in November 2010.
Majority Leader of the New York State Senate Pedro Espada Jr. (D) - On May 14, 2012 a federal jury found Espada guilty of embezzling money from federally funded healthcare clinics, after 11 days of deliberation.
State Senator Nicholas Spano (R) - in 2012 Spano was indicted for Federal Income Tax evasion. Spano pleaded guilty to the single felony. He admitted that he under-reported his income — $42,419 in federal income taxes and $10,605 in state taxes — from 2000 to 2008. He is to be sentenced to 12 to 18 months in Federal Prison in June 2012.
42 comments:
my god, Bev-- sounds like a circus!
It sounds almost as bad as Chicago/Illinois
In California, we don't bother to arrest our corrupt, greedy, self righteous politicians. We just keep paying them off until they die from living in excess. Then the state government condemns some middle class homes in a low density area, moves the people off by force and names the resulting park after whichever pol was the most disgusting.
Bev....Not surprising the number of crooks in NY state. What is surprising is the number being CAUGHT! Who is going after and actually getting these folks and why hasn't Cuomo found a way to "reign" in their "excesses?"
Sounds like the only difference between CA, IL and NY pols is that somehow, someone in NY is actually going after these crooked pols.
Any idea who the 'Elliot Ness' is in NY?
RE: Stop and Frisk -- I understand that it can be lightened up, but I have no sympathy for those that want to throw the baby out with the bathwater on that policy.
And for the record, I used to live in one of the shittiest neighborhoods in my city and I--a white guy--would regularly get cornered by police just for being outside. Sometimes right in front of my apartment. Before that, I grew up in a small town where being under 25 was cause enough for the cops to stop your car. That used to happen to me every Saturday night. And small towns don't generally even have a crime issue. So it's not like I can't relate.
TennJ - I am sorry I give the impression that it is a circus. Wait, no I don't because that is EXACTLY what it is sometimes - clowns and all (literally...)
Frankly, I'm surprised Bloomberg and Cuomo didn't weasel away more money from the Sandy relief bill. And is there anyone left up in Albany? I'm starting to think a list of those not convicted of something would be simpler.
LL - Actually, what is bad is that in the last 20 years these programs have worked so well that crime is at an all time low. It sounds like Chicago because we have the same forces at work who want to undermine our progress. We have been fortunate enough to have two consecutive Mayors who DIDN'T pander. I know we all joke ALOT about Mayor Bloomberg and his Nanny-ness, but if anything he has gone overboard to make the city liveable.
Because Guiliani, and then Bloomberg made crime and security their first priorities (right after the dreaded 16oz soda...okay, it's so easy to make him the butt of joke!), Bloomberg is fighting hard to keep it that way. The candidates have all vowed to discontinue the policies which will only make the city slide right back to Chicago level crime.
Patriot and K - The name of the prosecutor is Preet Bharara. He is a US Attorney in the Eastern District of NY and kickin' butt. I wouldn't be surprised if one day he ran for Mayor or Governor or Congress on up.
Oh, btw, the papers this morning named the others "being investigated" as a result of the "Huntley" sting. She invited them over to her house which the Feds had wired:
Sen. Malcolm Smith (who has already been arrested on other charges not related to this sting)
Sen. Velmanette Montgomery
Sen. Eric Adams
Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson
Sen. Jose Peralta
and
City Councilman Rubin Wills who in not under investigation.
Also: Curtis Taylor and Melvin Lowe, both advisers/consultants to Sen. Malcolm Smith
They all proclaim their innocence, but I am sure Bharara will follow the money trail.
Good to know that Halloran and Spano REPRESENT! ;)
T-Rav - We don't really know where the money is going to. Of course, Sen. Schumer and Republican Congressman Peter King (NY/Long Island) are busy beating down Texas Sen. Ted Cruz because he tried to delay passing the funding bill because of all of the unrelated pork added at the last minute. Well, I am sure there is SOME use to NYC's devasted coastline for those Alaskan fisheries. I like salmon.
Kit - It's sad because the Republicans here can't afford to lose ANY politicians even the bad ones. But the good news is that the more Dem Senators they arrest, the more likely that the Republicans will take back the leadership in the State Senate. Right now the Dems hold a one Senator lead.
Bev,
Was the no. 1 state for business Texas by any chance?
K's version sounds about right for California. You know, when I was growing up, the place was still seen as a paradise. Today, it looks like an asylum. New York, on the other hand, looks like a Racketeering enterprise.
Bev, The stop and frisk stuff is simply an easy target for people who need to generate the victim mentality... "They're targeting you because you're black! Send me money and votes and I'll save you!"
I'm a firm believer in civil liberties, but if you are acting like a thug, then I do believe the cops have the right to stop you.
Kit - Now how did you guess that it was Texas? The ad I saw was just ludicrous? How we can sell the state as business friendly when people are fleeing is just laughable. THere is a reason why California and New York lost Congressional Districts in 2010 and it isn't because of the weather. The empty store fronts and office space and the 10% unemployment that may be the clues, but I'm not Paul Krugman.
No, you are not Ms. fromNYC or you would know that 10% unemployment is a sign of a thriving economy because it means there are more people who could be employed. It's basic economics that the more of something you have the better off you are. So unemployment and empty store fronts just mean you have a surplus of potential.
This just in: The NY City Council passed a bill late last night that will require businesses with 20 employees or more to pay for 5 personal days a year. Bloomberg vows to veto. but since 99% of the City Council voted for it, his veto will be overturned. I am sure this evening they will vote for a mandatory minimum wage raise to $10 an hour.
Bloomberg, being the only businessman in the entire governement, is adamantly opposed to both. But, hey, he probably doesn't know what he's talking about.
So if Paul Krugman is such a economic genius, why isn't he a trillionaire??
I think that "state of mind" should be listed in the new DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition).
I read Bev's last post twice because the first time I saw "comic genius" instead of "economic genius"...
Bev, Because that would ruin Krugman's smuggie.
Of course, that hasn't stopped Algore or Pelosi or Kerry or the rest. So many Krugman is just slow?
"Smuggie"! That's gonna be the hit of Christmas 2013 gift giving season!
You'll feel better than everyone else when you wrap yourself in warmth of your own Smuggie!
rlaWTX - You were right the first time...comic genius.
BTW, is President Obama coming to your neck of Texas today? Something's going on 'cause he's been to Texas twice in one month.
Does anyone know if that Paul Krugman post was a sockpuppet or the real thing? Because after reading it, it's kinda hard to tell.
T-Rav, I was a real Paul Krugman sockpuppet. I can tell because he tried to make it look like Andrew wrote it.
Yep, it most definitely wasn't me. It even says so. So it must have been Krugman himself. After all, it's not like he has anything better to do.
See, if it really were Andrew, it would say "Definitely NOT Andrew", rather than the much more cryptic "notAndrew". THAT's the way a Nobel Prize winning Economist would try and throw everyone off the track of his true identity.
Off topic, but did anyone else hear that Stephen Hawking stands *snicker-snort-chortle* with Palestine?
Tryanmax - Yes I did. Interestingly all the technology that allows him to speak and move were developed in...Israel...by Israelis. They should take them back.
He backed out of a conference at Cambridge University stating that “This is his independent decision to respect the boycott [of Israel], based upon his knowledge of Palestine, and on the unanimous advice of his own academic contacts there,”
TOTUS is in Austin... he fits in there.
Whatever TX is doing to get him here - STOP IT!
There is apparently an attempt by TOTUS' "grassroots" group to try and do some damage in the next Texas elections. Maybe he's here to give them some moral support. ya know, preaching to choir cause the pews are empty...
Bev, Being Anti-Israel is the new black.
In all seriousness, Hawking has reached the point where he's spewing crap. I read his claim to have disproven God and it's not only ridiculous (he basically says, "if we assume there is no God, then we have proven there is no God") but he delivered it with the invective of an activist.
rlaWTX, Maybe he just likes the food? ;)
You know, assuming there is no God reveals that it's still embedded in your mental vocabulary, so that's a self-defeating proposition. I didn't know about Hawking's thing on Palestine, though; that's rather disappointing. He's starting to remind me of Noam Chomsky a little bit--undeniably intelligent in his own field, kind of a moron outside of it.
The God thing was a bit of an eye opener for me because he was really aggressive and nasty about it, which he shouldn't have been if his theory was right, and it was pretty obvious to me without even any real thought that he'd come up with a tautology.... "If we define God away, then there is no God." That's no solution and he should known that.
Why is it that so many smart people step outside of their profession to argue against God? Shouldn't we really be leaving that up to the theologians? I mean, if the Pope suddenly did an about-face, I might actually listen. Not saying I'd be convinced, but he'd at least have the time of day from me.
Tryanmax - I understand what you are saying, however there is an argument to be made that too many theologians leave THEIR professions to argue against science too.
Yeah, but they're all theologians. People come from all disciplines to attack religion.
Bev and tryanmax, Why can't we all just stick to our chosen professions? Unless you're Buckaroo Banzai, you should only talk about your own job... which in my case is being a super-spy, race car driving astronaut. Vrooom.
Andrew - I agree since I am a professional curmudgeon and Pontificating Opinion-ist.
Bev, How does that pay? :)
You get paid for being a professional curmudgeon? Someone somewhere owes me a LOT of money, apparently.
Andrew - It pays well! It's amazing what people will pay to shut someone up.;)
T-Rav - I just sent my receipts to thet Koch Brothers.
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