Responding To Mike Wrona

This is what Robert Harding wrote on the blog The Albany Project:

“I believe Kryzan can do it. But she HAS to do it. You can't just expect us to fall in line because you are the nominee. There is a reason we supported Jon. We want to see the reasons why we should support you.”

This is an example of a 22 year old who got all passionate about one candidate while not bothering to learn anything about the other candidates. He knows nothing of what Alice Kryzan represents and says, yet he decided not to support her. Then he goes all over the internet pushing his candidate based on ignorance of the opposition. He simply jumped on the “Vote for me, I'm an Iraq Veteran bandwagon.”.

Robert is a 22 year old blogger who himself has no experience in politics and hasn't even had a fulltime job, just like Jon Powers, but, wants to be considered a political expert. You judge if the young man knows anything of what he speak and writes.. This was Robert's response to the endorsement of Alice Kryzan by Congressman John LaFalce.

“LaFalce, like Kryzan, is a lawyer. The top industry that has given to Kryzan? Lawyers and law firms. Kryzan has received a lot of support from the Buffalo-area legal community. So LaFalce backing her isn't surprising.”

That's interesting. One of Jon Powers PAC supporters was the Philadelphia (not located in the 26th Congressional District) law firm Wolf Block PAC. Robert isn't aware of this because he has never looked. Powers has received over $100,000 from attorney's including lawyer's employed by Cellion & Barnes, Mintz Levin (Boston MA), Collins and Maxwell, Sampson Thatcher, Paul William Belz, Bengart & DeMarco, Tighe Patton Armstrong Teasdeal, Black Mann & Gramm, Boies Shiller & Flexner, Dechert LLP, etc. Why go on?

“Rolling out this endorsement five days beforehand reduces its impact, I would contend. It's one thing if you had a plethora of other endorsements like Jon Powers has. It's another thing when you are struggling from behind and an endorsement like this could give you a lift. Maybe LaFalce just decided on this. But this could have been a difference-maker for Kryzan months ago. Now? It's impact might be minimal, at best. “

Robert, Powers lost, Kryzan won, did the LaFalce endorsement help? You may remain the only person who doesn't think so.

I stand by my criticism of both he and Alan Bedenko. The Powers campaign was based on the celebrity of a candidate who outside of his military service, which ended for years ago had a thin resume. He sold War Kids Relief as a great thing, then bailed when he didn't get government support. There are plenty of charities that don't get federal funds and are successful, I.e. Kids Escaping Drugs. Apparently this was a cash cow or nothing venture. Then he regularly identified himself as a teacher who shaped young minds and yet was only in the classroom for 8 or less school days over a 3 year period and even let his Teacher Certification expire. Finally, he told the Amherst Democrats he became a Democrat after he left the service andot because he thought the idea of war in Iraq was wrong, It was because he didn't like the way the administration was handling the war. Big, big difference.

So, I see no reason to change my attitude. The only Democrat and stable candidate won the race.

For those who are of a mind, Alice Kryzan's web page is http://www.kryzanforcongress.com/.

Mike Wrona
Buffalo 14228

"..wants to divide us instead of unite us"
Wasn't bush a uniter not a divider?
Country is still 50/50

Iraq War veteran label.
There is no "label" when you are a veteran. If you are a veteran, you ARE a veteran. It's not a label. It's an honor

You know very well what he means, dude.

"Actually, Wrona is wrong. The four rural counties backed Powers first and it was because he is genuine, listens to voters, is very approachable and personable and wanted to go to Washington to be our representative. He traveled every corner of this district early on and that didn't change throughout this campaign. So Wrona clearly does not understand why the party leadership backed Powers."

How does one opinion refute another? You don't know what made these people pick Powers

"is very approachable and personable"
That's weak
Genuine I'll give you if you are indeed a -close- friend of his but otherwise whatever

"Wrona is wrong"
that's clever, though.

"Why would the DCCC back a candidate who showed virtually no fundraising ability"

I personally don't see how this matters one bit

"I never saw her walk around the room to introduce herself. Whether it was a pro-Powers crowd or not, people still would have greeted her and treated her with respect"

OK. Point?

"Robert is a 22 year old blogger who himself has no experience in politics"

I don't see how this matters, either.
Experience doesn't make the politician
Experience turns the average politician a profiteer

Who invented cheese? An experienced cheese maker?
Experience ensures careers

"political expert"
I would really like this defined for me

Well gosh I've had a full time job in the dreaded private sector for over 14 years, have a political science degree, a JD, have been politically active since 1999 and am also a former Republican. Am I qualified to comment on Powers' candidacy, Mike?

If you think some sort of half-assed PUMAism will help Kryzan win against a Republican with a big funding and enrollment advantage, then keep up the good, divisive work. I certainly don't need you to inform me as to why I supported Powers.

On the other hand if you want the party to unify behind the nominee, then maybe extend a hand to shake instead of a finger to point.

Your comments here and on your own site have been nothing but shamefully insulting. Good luck with all that. I'll be sure to ask Alice and Anne whether they share your sentiments.

I agree with Robert and Alan, as a Powers supporter there will be no shaming me into voting for Kryzan. Perhaps some sportsmanship and class is whats needed to bring everyone together.

One more thing though Mike, the comparison that Charlie, whom from my gauging you have never met, was made about Jack Davis and not Alice Kryzan. What Charlie said was that Jack Davis would not be a better Congressman than Chris Lee, he made no such analogy of any other candidate in the race. Perhaps this is something you could ask Charlie about before you make such a broad-based statement about him, this sore winner talk won't rally the party around her by November.

Daniel-

A County Democratic Party Chairman does not come out and publicly state that he would vote for a Republican candidate in a Congressional Race no matter what the reason.

As for Davis, he was the endorsed Democratic candidate in 2004 and 2006, does that mean Mallow voted for Reynolds twice?

You'll have to ask Charlie, which you should have done in the first place.

Do you really want Powers supporters not to support Alice?

We're 36 percent of the primary vote, Alice needs at least half of us to push her over the top.

For the record, of course I'm voting for her and supporting her, but your not doing her campaign any favors by attacking people who supported Jon during the primary.

Daniel-

I saw in today's Buffalo News that she has been in Wasington DC. Next week she will get back on the campaign trail.

Alice Kryzan is one positive and smart woman. I look forward to seeing how she deals with this fence mending situation. I have no doubt that she will be very gracious and sincere.

Daniel-

You have a myopic view of this primary. You seem to think that my criticism of Powers is the problem.

You completely neglect the negative things that have come out of your side regarding her.

If we won the primary though, those criticisms would end, this would be like David Axelrod still attacking Hillary's supporters, its really not needed. I can say that for my part and for most Powers supporters that most of our problems weren't with Alice from the start, we really had a major axe to grind with Davis because of the very negative and personal tone of his campaign. I always found Alice, despite the debate in Geneseo, to be gracious and fair in her campaign style. It is true that we were critical of Alice at times during the primary, but it wasn't criticism that would prevent us from supporting her in the general election, we need to start working together now.

Shoving her win in everyone's face doesn't help matters, it makes everything much worse and it makes it harder for Powers supporters to come out and pull the lever for Alice.

I've already spoken with Anne, and the campaign is smart enough to accept when supporters of her former opponent extend congratulations and offers of help.

Would that you were smart enough to do the same, Mike.

And your threat directed to me on your un-commentable site was so pathetic as to be downright laughable.

Hey guys, when you argue with each other and not me, I get all misty. Although, your infighting makes my job easier, it is not fun. The problem in the GLOW area is that the Dem leadership jumped on the Powers/Ianello bandwagon way to early. If Kryzan or Mesi win (God forbid!) how much use do you think they will have for all of you? My guess is not much use at all. Our County and its residents may suffer for it. Support your people and let us move on to the current race.
Kryzan is an unabashed liberal. God bless her for it. This is America and she can believe what she chooses. However, the 26th is no bastion of liberalism. Heck, a lot of the Dems. here are fairly conservative. With any luck, it will be an issues driven race. Like it or not, Lee's views are more in line with the district.

Mr. Grasso, our party has put in calls with Mesi and Kryzan and we will be working to elect them both in November.

Oh Gee, Democrats don’t agree and we debate and hold primaries. What’s new Jay? I take issue with comment about the GLOW chairs picking early.

Let me tell you how our endorsements happened in Genesee County. The candidates came to visit the whole committee. We debated it; we argued the merits of each candidate. Then during a meeting OPEN to the press, we first voted to see if we are going to endorse. Then the WHOLE committee VOTED to endorse both candidates. I as chair did NOT pick Powers or Michele and then crown them.

Our endorsement is also just a recommendation as to who we thought would work the hardest for OUR county.

Why don’t you fill us in as to how the Republicans picked Lee?

You didn't even get a vote Jay. That's what should make you feel misty.

Actually, Charlie, think of all the money the GOP saved taxpayers because they didn't have a primary.

Why can't the Dems do the same thing?

Political parties are private organizations. Taxpayers should not foot the bill for them to decide who to run in an election. They can hold -- and pay for -- their own primaries, or their own caucuses at their own expense by their own rules. It shouldn't be anybody's business but their own.

Howard, your thinking is flawed.

Despite the financial costs of a primary, a primary gives the voters just what Democracy exists for, a choice. Neither of the candidates that I supported in the primary, Jon Powers and Michele Iannello won.

That being said the opportunity for voters to pick who represents their party really gives the voters a chance to define what their parties message and ideals should be. The Democrats are not dictatorial, we don't just say "here's your candidate that we think represents you," our parties committees say "here are the candidates, we may think this one is better than the rest, but make up your own mind on who best represents your values,".

Wow! That's some strange thinking Howard. I guess with that way of thinking, why vote at all. The two party chairs could just arm wrestle for the seat in November, huh?

Charlie :you are right...not voting got me misty...I still had to work that Independence line for Ranz and never got to cast a ballot! Mr. Owens has a point, primaries cost a ton of money and can be divisive. Look at the argueing you guys were doing earlier.

Debate is good stuff Jay. You’re not serious about liking the idea that a handful of people picked your guy. How do you know Chris Lee is the right guy? Do you really know anything about him? I’m not picking on your guy; we just don’t know anything about him. He was never vetted by voters, by committee members or even YOU. Why do you support Chris Lee, besides being told by your party chair that he is your guy and getting all the talking points, WHY is he better than Belevia or the rest of those who wanted to run? Why did the rest of the Republican candidates back off and just go away? What power do your chairs have Democrat chairs don’t? I don’t understand how it happens, what do the Republican chairs say to make all the other people who want the seat run scared?

Don’t you think Steve Hawley would have made a better State Senator? Did he even have a chance to run? How do you know Steve wouldn’t have been the better candidate for the Republicans?

Are the Republicans sending their best and brightest or are they giving us the person who would just play ball?

It's ridiculous to take what I say and go to any conclusion that would disenfranchise people.

Political parties are private organizations. The government -- and tax payer money -- should not be involved in registering their voters or or selecting their candidates. Voter registration should totally be without party affiliation.

There is nothing undemocratic about it and it is completely a free market, free enterprise alternative.

It's a violation of privacy for the government to demand what party I chose to affiliate with (or not, in my case, as I'm completely unaligned), and why should my money be wasted on the GOP or the Dems or any other party picking which candidate will stand in a general election?

It makes no sense whatsoever.

It's not flawed at all because it makes perfect sense to have the general election conducted and supervised by the government.

Let the partisans fight it out amongst themselves and then bring to the general electorate whomever they think can best represent their interests.

The reason partisans of the GOP and Democratic parties don't like this solution is because they know it would weaken the two party system, enable more independents and third-party candidates to campaign on a more level playing field -- which is exactly why I like this idea.

Let's be clear about this: Political parties are NOT government institutions. They're no different from the Lions or the Rotary, and the government doesn't conduct Rotary elections, so why should the government conduct GOP elections? Or maybe you think the government should manage and fund the next election of the board of directors for General Electric or General Motors or IBM? Why do the GOP and Dems get special treatment over other private groups that select their own leaders?

It's an absolute fallacy to jump from "primaries should be private" to any notion that general elections shouldn't be run by the government. That is an absolutely flawed connection. There is no connection there whatsoever.

And BTW, I didn't say that the GOP shouldn't have a primary and allow ALL of its registered voters (or better: members) to pick it's candidate -- I just said, the government shouldn't pay for it.

I also said if the GOP or the Dems would prefer a caucus over a primary, that's the right of those parties. If the Dems pick "caucus" and a bunch of people don't like it, they can change parties or drop out. That's voting, too. That's the market place.

Each party can pick it's candidates how it likes -- primary, caucus or smoke-filled room. I really don't care. Just don't make me pay for it.

That is far more democratic, free-market, American than the current system.

Howard, your debate involves changing our form of government. Like it or not we have a two party system, I'm living in the here and now. I'm for change not revolution.

How stupid do you have to be to say that being an officer in the US Army, in a combat zone, is not a full time job?

No wonder we don't support your candidate.

What it means is that Davis, this time, tried to bribe people, lied, and ran a dirty race. He didn't do that the first two times. Why would Charlie back a guy who did not have the support of the Dems. in the county this time out?

As you should know, Davis refused to even come out here and speak with anyone.

Mr Harding: your comments are inapropriate and immature. Grow up! The nickname for Ranzenhoffer was given to him many years ago and not by me. He is commonly called Ranz in Erie County by Republicans and Democrats. In typical liberal fashion, you just cannot help but make nasty comments when your guys lose or you are losing an arguement. You can pretend to be positive all you want, but you are deeply annoyed. It shines through. Why take cheap shots at me? I do not take them at you. Who calls Hawley Steve-O? Must be you. Its not me. Are you capable of writing a post or response without taking a shot at me? Sigh. Of course you will deny this.
Perhaps we have faith in our Chairman to select the best candidate. If a Republican candidate had wanted to run a primary, they could have. No one chose to. That is also democracy.

Charlie: Quick FYI. All the county Repub. committees officially discussed the candidates and several were interviewed. They were winnowed down, re-interviewed by the chairs and voted on. The votes are weighted by population and Lee came out on top. Erie and Monroe carry the most weighted votes. Lee had to work for it. I was there, you guys were not. Try not to assume. Steve Hawley had the opportunity to run for both State Senate and Congress but chose to run for the Assembly were he is quickly gaining influence and leadership. Steve is top notch.
Once again, if a Repub. had gotten signatures and ran, there would have been a primary. No one stepped up. I am quite happy with our candidates.

You guys all crack me up! There was no secret cabal to pick our candidates. There was a process. Not to sound like a broken record, but Steve hawley had first dibs on the Congress or State Senate. He would have been great for either. Maybe someday. He would do real well for us at any level.
Mr. Harding; the Buffalo Bean comes down pretty hard on you today. Your Chris Lee rebukes are pretty much dem talking points. Same old class envy.

Jay,
I seem to remember how upset the local Batavia GOP chair got when Bill Cox had the nerve to force a GOP primary for City Council. He made it clear that Cox could not be a good party member for bucking the party pick.

I know that is just the city GOP, but you have to admit, it didn't make your party look good.

PEOPLE SEEM PRETTY CONFIDENT IN THE DEMACRATIC PICK.
I WILL KEEP QUIET AND JUST SIT BACK AND WATCH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY JUST GIVE ME MORE OF THE SAME.
WHERES RON PAUL WHEN WE NEED HIM.OHHH THE PROPAGANDA MEDIA OUTCASTED HIM FROM THE ELECTION.
LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER 4 YEARS OF THE SAME.
TO SUM IT UP.LETS JUST BRING HOME THE TROOPS. AND THAT INCLUDES THE 30 THOUSAND THAT HAVE BEEN IN KOREA FOR MY ENTIRE LIFETIME.SHEDGUYS STILL LOOKING FOR A REAL LEADER FOR THIS MESS OF A COUNTRY.

Mr Harding: Jokes are supposed to be funny. Work on them a little harder. Maybe some life experience would help. That was sort of a joke. Things will be great if we have a Democrat NYS Senate! More wasted spending and New York controlled by down state interests. More wasteful social programs and unfunded mandates. More money to the public unions! You might get your small personal victory but the state as a whole will lose. You desperately want to be a county legislator, but when you see the unfunded mandates from Albany, be careful what you wish for. You probably will not have time for all your postings. That was sort of a joke.
True, someday I will lose a race. Life will go on. Remember I beat a roughly 26 year incumbent Dem to get here. How do you know I dont have a psych degree!?

John: I do my best to stay out of City of Batavia politics. LeRoy is a handful as it is!

Heck, Mr. Harding, I dont have a psych degree. Crim. Justice actually. I was actually trying to point out your double standard. You seem to be allowed to joke, repubs are not allowed. Be truthful. You were being nasty. I read Albany Project and Progressive City State among other lefty type sites. They offer quite a bit of insight.
My skin is quite thick thank you. A police career, small business ownership, three kids to raise, etc. will toughen you up some. Compared to what I have seen, no web site could get me rattled. This is known as actual life experience!
Dont be so sure about the fall elections. Obama is no shoe in. You were pretty sure Powers would win. Nor is Mesi a shoe in. I am also not so sure about a liberal, wealthy, environmental lawyer for that matter.

Who's Jerome Grasso, and why is he so fascinated by Democratic primaries, if he's quite evidently a Republican.

It must stink to have a boring candidate(s) and nothing to do except suckle on the teat of the corrupt, do-nothing Independence line all summer.

Chris Lee's biggest qualifications for office are hair and self-funding.

"Jokes are supposed to be funny, work on them a little harder,"
Who's being negative now?

Is someone just cranky that the RNCC is being outraised and outspent by the DCCC, thus increasing the chances of Democratic pickups all over the country, including right here in NY 26?

Who is Alan Bedenko? Why does an Erie County lawyer with a leftist website, who lost big time to Mike Ranzenoffer (see "sour grapes" in the dictionary) care if I post on this site? Once again gentlemen, this site is open to all. It was starting to look like a Democratic Party love-in on the Batavian. Plenty of room here for other views. Geez, and I thought the left was the party of tolerance for other peoples views. In his view of Mr. Lee, Bedenko shows such wit! Way to stick to the issues. Hair, no less!
Mr.Jones: Not being cranky or negative. That was Harding. The huge national Dem pick up is looking smaller and smaller everyday. They will make gains, but will not be (McCain!)veto proof. Unlikely it will happen in the 26th. Then again Kryzan is kind of wealthy, maybe she can spend her own money!

Hey Jay,

I have been amused with all this banter and YES it is cool to have you join in. I tend to be banter-proof and do not take too much to heart. I am a big believer that you have your place on here...nice to meet with the other side from time to time...often we do speak the same language just different ideas. Can you do me one favor...please remember that no matter what happens, the sun will rise tomorrow and it will be just another day no matter what happens politically (Unless of course McCain wins and then we have an increase in Global Warming.....LOL.....just kidding......).

Anyway...glad you are here.

Pat

Pat: Thank you. Indeed, no matter what, my wife smiles at me, my kids are still in the back yard playing and the dog wags her tail at me. Politics and civic involvement are great, but they are not everything.

Mr Harding: you have a lot of theory but only a little practical experience. 80% (or better) of county budgets are state mandates. So instead of three men in a room, we will have three Dems. in a room. Lots of checks and balances there. Perhaps New York will become a socialist Mecca! Your father had good advice. Instead of sharing it, follow it. You have not lived enough to give life advice. You have little tolerance for other ideas. That works in a classroom or on a blog. Not in the real world. Do not take this wrong, but a family, a job, and a mortgage are the real world experiences that you lack. Less sarcasm and a little tolerance on your part will get you further with people.

I have a family, a job, and a mortgage, and I agree with what Robert wrote 2 posts above. Republicans in this state play the same game they accuse Democrats of playing.

Only, they're better at denying it.

The sour grapes line - that's so old, Mr. Grasso, whoever you are.

Jay Grasso, the guru on life and how to live it.

Anyway, it is true that about 80 percent of budgets are state mandates, but during the Pataki years where the Republicans controlled 2 out of 3 of the branches of the State government they weren't much better.

Mr. Grasso, you have lost the policy argument and now are getting very personal, I have to wonder why....I don't see anyone else from either perspective engage in attacking someone because of their age.

Should Conor Flynn (whom I've had a few arguments with in the past on this website) not debate? He's a young guy, he doesn't have a house or a mortgage, should his opinion be wholly irrelevant for that very reason? He's a Republican Jay, he probably agrees with you on most issues, but is he unqualified from making statements on the issues?

I'll bring up something that you said earlier, just because your losing the debate, don't get cranky! I'm smiling pretty wide....man do I love democracy.

It really would be better to stick to issues rather personal references.

The only way to move forward is for people who care -- and we all care -- is to set aside partisan rancor, personal differences and figure out how to make Genesee County better.

I've kind of let some of the personal stuff go because as far as internet postings go, it's been pretty tame (I've seen some real nasty name calling over the years), but once you start getting personal, it always runs the risk of getting out of hand.

So, let's try to avoid the personal stuff and stick to issues.

Anyone who relies on the 80%-of-county-budgets-are-mandated argument is missing one salient fact.

It's the services that are mandated - not the amount of money.

So, it's feasible for a county to be efficient and cost-effective by delivering those services.

But I have no idea why I'm arguing with some "Jerome Grasso" character I've never heard of.

Mr Owens: I will work harder to stick with the issues. I cannot help but notice that when anyone disagrees with the left on this site, the personal attacks come out. I admit I tease a bit, but these guys get really bent out of shape and then make it personal. I do not have it in me to be that way. When these guys dont like my opinions they get personal. Its a shame. Liberal tolerance at its finest!
Wow! Guess I really got under everyone's skin!
Mr. Harding: that was very moving, not sure what you were aiming for, still, very touching. Kind of hard to get "comfortable" with my position when I have only been in office for 2 and 1/2years. The Dem I beat had it for 26 years. Oh, I am only 37, not quite ancient yet.
Mr. Bedenko: I am not a "character"! I do not go through life looking to be known. Matters not a hoot if you do not know me. Maybe I should get my own web site. Nah, my ego is not that big. Besides who would read it anyway? To busy with life for that. Why do you want to argue? I have not argued with you. As for state mandates, the services cost money. Those costs make up about 80% of our budget. Mostly in medicaid and other social services. The Legislature has managed to cut the tax rate three years running and even lowered the tax levy in one of those years.
Once again, life is waaayyy to short and nobody is going to change anyones mind here. Besides, only political geeks like us read these sites.

State mandates cost money. Those costs make up 80% of your budget. You're saying there is no feasible way that those state mandated services could be accomplished in a way that is cheaper than taking up 80% of your budget? There are no efficiencies to take advantage of? There is no waste, duplication, or redundancy? There is no opportunity to take a look at every program budgeted and determine what every penny is being spent on, and whether it's justified?

That sort of thinking is a disservice to taxpayers and not at all fiscally conservative.

Jay, you keep slapping these guys by calling them liberals, the left, and basically saying their too young and stupid to debate you. You lost this one and are now going too far off topic. Your argument that they are attacking you isn’t working either. You’re being dressed down by a few people who are just better at this than you. Take it from someone who likes and respects you. You lost this one, just wait for the next topic and try again.

Also, the “New” Bush Republicans have no right to say “liberals like to spend money”, when these people destroyed our economy and spent our country into oblivion. These “New” Bush Republicans talk about cuts, only to spend like drunken sailors. The truth is last Democrat president nearly balanced the budget and it was pretty much all his administration concentrated on. I’m tired of the lies and I’m tired of the spending from these fake conservatives. Go sell that on EBay…

Charlie: Take it easy and slow down. They admit to being "progressive". Go to their other sites. See what they write. It is no slap. They are not up for debate, just insults. There is no debate when all they do is take pot shots when they disagree. The last Dem. president nearly balanced the budget when he was forced to by a new Republican majority in the Congress. Of course, that majority became a minority when they went on to spend like drunken sailors. Got what they deserve. I cannot believe you are as partisan as these guys. Life is to short to get this wound up over politics. What do you want me to sell on e-bay?
Mr. Bedenko: Actually Genesee County has a near top of the line bond rating, a healthy fund balance, and a real balanced budget every year. We have also lowered our tax rates. We constantly look for (and find) ways to cut costs and fraud. I have lots of examples if you want them. Medicaid strangles us to the tune of about $167,000 a week. A very expensive mandate. Clearly, you are not from Genesee County nor involved in its day to day operations. I am. You have no idea what we do here. This is not bloated, inefficient Erie County. Did I mention that we have an 8 to 1 Republican majority on our Legislature? Heck, our one Democrat (on top of being a really good guy) is more fiscally conservative than most Republicans.

Jay, take it easy? I commented because you seem to have a flawed idea that “progressives” spend more than “New” Republicans. I use the term “New” Republicans because, to me and the rest of the outcast fiscal conservatives what the National Republican Party once stood for is long gone. What I see is a new type of Republican Party, one that still says the right things but, then does the opposite.

This “I sold it on EBay” line that I keep hearing from the McCain camp is just more of the same, it's them talking about doing the right thing but, in the end it’s just more of the same.

Charlie: they all spend to much. The feds and the state are held to different standards. You and I must have balanced budgets. We make sometimes painful choices. This current Dem controlled Congress spends like drunken sailors, just like the previous Republican majority did. The Repubs had a great opportunity and blew it. This Dem majority is on the same path. Could you imagine the chaos we would have here if we operated in the same fashion? I really had not heard the e-bay thing.

I don’t think we ever disagreed. I have no understanding of the blank check theory that the state and federal governments operate under. No one has shown me what they are going to cut and I have gotten to the point of not believing it is possible to elect someone who will do the right thing.

Locally we are forced to cut the things we really need because of the burdens that are passed on from the state. The state has no concept of what a real cut is. They shift items that were paid for with state dollars that then have to be paid for with local property taxes and call that a cut. The federal government lowers taxes or gives tax credits and pays for it all by growing the debt. My fear is that McCain doesn’t understand that we cannot grow the economy by adding to the national debt anymore.

Our luck has run out. The next president needs to take steps to balance the budget, which would include a tax increase and drastic cuts. I know that’s not popular platform to run on, so that person isn’t running for office and actually could never get elected.

Mr. Grasso,
You seem to forget that your State party leadership voted time and again to override budget vetos (so did the dems, but they don't hide it, they like high taxes.

Come clean, admit your side voted to override budget cuts, made by your own Gov. made to buy votes. State Senators Volker and Rath are members of the tax and spend group in good standing.

I agree with Mr.Mallow ,on the state and federal level both sides spend, spend without cutting any thing..I was never a Bill
Clinton lover but i do remember how he did try to cut the size of government ,in fact that was one of the things he asked Al Gore to do..i commend him for that..George Bush has added to the size of government,even adding prescrition drug program..witch is very costly..with no means to pay for it..I have never seen any action on Bush's part to cut the size of this government..We expect our local officials to cut payroll to save money,why dont we expect the same from out federal government.

Mr. Roach: no doubt and no denying it on the vetos, they all spent and spent. Repubs and Dems. Even when the state was flush with Wall St. revenue, they spent even more! No debt was paid down. They never have a balanced budget. The state hammer is likely about to fall on Counties.