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Today's Poll: Do you support Gov. Paterson's call for an unlimited number of charter schools?

By Howard B. Owens
C. M. Barons

If I read Paterson's State of State message correctly, he is waving a red flag at the bull- the bull being intransigency and intractibility. And those terms apply to three groups of New Yorkers: the Senate, the Assembly and the special interest groups (spelled CSEA, NYSUT & UFT). That's right, Hypocrite Hawley, the spotlight is on do-nothings like yourself.

Paterson's message wasn't a typical diet-conscious invitation to go on a low-fat budget course. He has thrown down the gauntlet and challenged the opposition (those who refuse to fix New York's budget ills) to a showdown. Anyone who thinks that Paterson is a lightweight needs to focus on the horsepower behind his message to public schools. No other Democratic leader has pulled the trump card of privatization and waved it in the face of NYSUT. The threat of giving charter schools an unrestricted nod might be the shot-over-the-bow that serves as wake-up-call: the public school system is nolonger a sacred cow.

However, as the governor taunts the bull, NYSUT will stick its tongue deeper in the ears of our legislators. Is Hawley a moaner or a squealer?

Jan 8, 2010, 11:34am Permalink
bud prevost

If Gov Paterson truly follows through on this initiative, my respect level will quadruple for him. Does anyone else see the same things I see? NY spends more per student than any other state, and NY spends more per patient through medicaid/medicare. Oh yeah, the largest employer in NY is New York state, and we have more lawyers per capita than any other state.

C.M. said"However, as the governor taunts the bull, NYSUT will stick its tongue deeper in the ears of our legislators."
Pull out your sword, Governor, and let the NYSUT know you mean business.

Jan 8, 2010, 11:51am Permalink
Charlie Mallow

C.M., nicely put.

I am very proud of our Governor; hopefully he will be able to survive the onslaught from the Do-nothing complainers on the right, as well as the Special Interest loving Democrats that are coming.

PS I originally wrote Democratic Party supporters but, we all know Democrats don’t support the governor.

Jan 8, 2010, 11:56am Permalink

I know Charlie how true is that! The more he talks the more I like it! They don't want him in there! They want Cuomo (Spelling?)! He'll keep the status quo! Yay Status Quo!

I really hope Patterson nails em' before November!

Jan 8, 2010, 1:33pm Permalink
John Roach

If he does not cave in, he might survive a primary challenge from Andrew Cuomo. Who know, he might even win the general election.

But last year he sounded good also, then did a 180, so I'll hedge my bets.

Jan 8, 2010, 1:35pm Permalink

He did at that John, but i think some of his actions have been much tougher and decisive this year.

I don't know, you could be right, but it's nice to dream that there actually someone in leadrership in Albany that thinks it's broken besides all of us who knows that it's broken.

Jan 8, 2010, 1:43pm Permalink
Charlie Mallow

John, there is no chance in hell the Governor will win a Democratic primary. Those people hate him. All he talks about is reform and changing how they have been doing business for years. The fact is the Dem’s cut and ran from him the minute he wouldn’t play ball with them. These Albany types are not going to support someone who is going to talk about cutting union jobs or education budgets.

It’s also not the Governor’s fault his own people told him to go pound salt with last budget he produced. If you remember the first draft was pretty good until, the power brokers in the man’s own party got to it.

Jan 8, 2010, 1:52pm Permalink
Peter O'Brien

Even I, in the last few months, have come to respect the governor. But is he campaigning, or will something actually get done....

Jan 8, 2010, 2:08pm Permalink
John Roach

Charlie,
You never know what the Dem on the street will do. If Patterson shows backbone, he might get popular support. If he folds, like he did last year, he's done.

Jan 8, 2010, 7:29pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

I think one of the benefits of Paterson's low poll numbers and unpopularity with Albany insiders of both parties is that he doesn't have to give a shit. He can propose and take decisive, bold measures. If he follows through on the historic opportunity, he might garner a lot of support that the party insiders would just be disgusted at.

And I'm thinking thinking he knows this.

Being so unpopular can maybe be just as powerful as being very popular.

Jan 8, 2010, 9:11pm Permalink
doug smith

dems dislike him cause he talks of cutting their sacred cows
yea.....repubs dislike him for shoving down their throughts the, gay marriage abortion, raising taxs, and every thing else.....ex hunting, fishing, registrations, ....
whats next ,,number of trees owned, if using woodburner
stoves, number of fleas on youir dog

Jan 9, 2010, 11:44pm Permalink

Both Parties have done a poor job when they have held power. This is the unfortunate country we live in. The two party system has been a joke for years. They are more interested in control than helping anyone.

That being said, I think the sacred cows should be destroyed. How much money has been wasted on them? So even though we know that he will not win, I like the fact that someone is out there calling them all out! The Democrats are ruining this state even more than the Republicans have over the past two decades.

It's pretty impressive how both parties can be so corrupt and inept.

Jan 10, 2010, 8:13am Permalink
Dave Olsen

I've been thinking that Michael Bloomberg would be a good Gov. He has ticked off both parties, is not beholden to anybody, too rich to be corrupted, is truly a mean-spirited S O B and might just give both parties someone they hate enough to start working together again. He doesn't seem interested though, he's just started another term as mayor and reportedly wants to be President.

Jan 10, 2010, 8:55am Permalink
doug smith

we need someone who will lower tax's......cut off some of
these social programs....free breakfest, free lunches,
daycare suppments, food stamps, even ny kids health insurance needs a looking at.....they get every thing with no copays?.....dont get me wrong ...every kids should have insurance......but not totaly on our backs...
us tax payers should be able to support our own familys... before anyones else's...

these indian reservations need to start collecting tax on tobaco products.....its costing us tax payers to much money treating the smoking related illnesses......who's
most likely to buy cigs from them....ones who cant afford to pay full price.....when these illnesses get so
bad that they cant work......they fall into the systems
free health care....that we pick up......make a health care tax on cigs and make them collect it....these indians are no friends of the tax payers...they are killing the poor...and making smoking affordable for our kids
us tax payers should be able to support our own familys.... before anyones else's...

our job base is shrinking....no longer are we making
the big money in manufacturing......most of us are just getting by on our own.....we need good paying jobs...jobs... jobs...my place of employment laid off
100 people last yr.....why???? ....free trade.....we cant compete against china. india,mexico, any country that has low wages, no inviroment standarnds, no health care, no osha standards, no comp, disability insurance,
and now we might have carbon tax.....my friends we are done......
us tax payers should be able to support our own familys... before anyones else's...

Jan 10, 2010, 9:48am Permalink
Bea McManis

Doug Smith,
I know your frustration and sympathize with it.
Do you believe the cuts you want will lower your taxes and, if so, for how many years will you see your taxes remain static?

Jan 10, 2010, 10:08am Permalink
doug smith

i dont know about lowering our taxes....but at least its a start, maybe if families are forced to support their family members mistakes,be it pregnancies, abortions paid
by tax payers, smoking related illnesses. food stamps.
so many socail problems the are shoved on tax payers backs.... good paying jobs are going away faster than we can keep up
maybe families would put more pressure on their own members if they were paying for them....should we pay for every ones bad decissions.....
i dont know what will solve our high taxes....but ignoring its not the anser....
us tax payers should be able to support our own familys before anyones else's...

Jan 10, 2010, 1:51pm Permalink

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