Promising Signs For Shared Sacrifice In Albany

Despite the Governor's persistent denials of going the route of increased taxes on the wealthy, the chances of it happening are continuing to increase. No one knows for sure how much of a grip that the interests of the wealthy have on Paterson, but the Assembly and the Senate have other ideas. Hopefully, the talk of raising taxes on the most fortunate among us will be more than just words.

From The NY Times:

The Assembly, where Democrats have an overwhelming majority, has long supported increasing taxes on the wealthy, and Sheldon Silver, the Assembly speaker, reiterated this month that there continued to be strong backing for the measure among his colleagues.

Gov. David A. Paterson, a Democrat, did not propose any income tax increases in his budget proposal, but acknowledged in last month that “taxing the wealthy is probably going to be part of the solution if the deficit gets any worse, and all indications are that it probably will.”

That could leave the matter in the hands of the Senate, where Democrats won a narrow majority in November. Senator Eric T. Schneiderman, a Manhattan Democrat, said that he planned to introduce a bill in the coming weeks that would increase taxes on the rich, and that he expected his colleagues to have an active debate about the issue.

“There are a lot of us who feel that for the last 30 years we’ve been shifting the tax burden from the wealthy to middle-class families,” Mr. Schneiderman said on Tuesday. “Our conference is operating through consultation and discussion, and I expect we’ll be talking about restoring some additional tax brackets for upper-income New Yorkers as well as a lot of other options.”

A long time ago (meaning the 1940s) the richest people were taxed up to 94% of their earnings and yet continued to prosper just fine. They were not competing for a title in Forbes Magazine, but family wealth has always been shielded very well, even with the Estate tax in place. Of course there was that WWII going on and everyone really did give all of what they had to keep the country fighting and to keep it together.

We may not be in the middle of a World War at the moment, but the crisis we face is still daunting. It requires us to come together and adding a few percent to the tax rates at the top isn't going to hurt as much as the rich scream about the thought of it. Besides, we aren't talking about 94% taxation rates either.

Right Wing Lunacy Continues

While today marks the beginning of a new Presidency, nothing has changed in crazy winger land. When you have pundits such as Jonah Goldberg spouting garbage like this, you know that their mindless drivel will continue with Barack Obama in the White House.

Paterson Knows NY's Next Senator, But Isn't Telling

Governor David Paterson thinks playing coy about who he's chosen to be the next Senator from New York is cute for everyone. He's wrong. This whole episode of Senate drama has been ridiculous, from the sniping of the hopeful candidates to the Governor that is about to pick the lucky duck. Now with the decision made, the fracas continues.

From The Daily Politics:

Speaking at a post-swearing-in brunch hosted by the New York Society, the governor said he came to his decision yesterday afternoon and stressed that he's focused on making a "reasonable" choice, not necessarily the "right" choice.

When asked who he has settled on, he joked: "Why Michelle Obama, of course. She can move to New York." (This is his latest quip response; he has cycled through a number of them now).

When reporters pointed out he has used that one before, Paterson responded: "It shows that I'm maintaining my position."

Maintaining his position doesn't make it a right decision. All he is doing is keeping his face in the spotlight and nothing much for the rest of us. A smart idea would have looked like this, but it is anything but. I guess we'll all have to wait till Saturday. Until then, the speculative eyes have focused on this Congresswoman, not Cuomo or Kennedy.

Bloomberg's Israeli Faux Pas

Everyone, including Mayor Bloomberg is more than welcome to visit Israel and see the modern land of milk and honey. Having been there a few times myself, I know what an incredible country that it is. However, when you wear the politician and Mayor of New York City's hat, the rules change. You are there to be a tourist and as far as political relations go, do business on a city to city level. Tel Aviv is a very cosmopolitan place and so is our very own NYC. Beyond that though, when dealing with foreign relations and crises such as the conflict with/on Gaza, leave the country to country stuff to the President and the Senate, as the Constitution mandates.

From The Columbia Spectator:

Disregard your political views surrounding the recent violence in Gaza. Forget your opinion on whether Israel acted offensively or defensively, whether Hamas is a terrorist organization, or whether the ceasefire came too soon or too late. Put the war aside all together, and still Bloomberg acted out of line and inappropriately when he made a trip to Israeli towns near Gaza on Jan. 4 and offered his support to Israel.

The thousands of demonstrators who filled Times Square two weeks ago and demanded an end to the violence made the first argument against Bloomberg’s trip extremely visual. They made it clear that New York does not speak with a unified voice on this issue. Mayor Bloomberg represents the city­­—he should represent all parts of it.

Yet, many are quick to respond to this argument by stating that whether or not each American agrees with U.S. foreign policy, Israel is a political ally of the United States, and our federal government provides it, at the very least, with diplomatic support for its actions. In this way, Bloomberg’s trip can be viewed as in line with U.S. policy. Yet, ironically, it is this very argument that brings the true inappropriateness of Bloomberg’s actions into focus.

Our federal government’s foreign policy might support Israel, but Bloomberg is not a federal official. He is a city mayor. The constitution makes clear that matters of international relations are to be left to the national government. Article 1, Section 8 delegates the powers of international commerce and war to Congress, while Article 2, Section 2 gives the president the power to make treaties, appoint ambassadors, and serve as commander-in-chief. These rules were designed to prevent one state, or in this case, one city, from forming alliances with different international actors that would conflict with alliances other states would make. The fear was that other countries could divide our nation, pitting one state against another if individual states conducted their own foreign policies. And so it was decided that we could present a unified face abroad and temper potential divisions only if the federal government controlled our foreign policy. It is in the constitution—city mayors are not to be diplomats.

Exactly, and as the article points out that Bloomberg did nothing specfically to violate that (sign treaties, etc) rule, he was still trying to represent the American people and provide a viewpoint not shared by all of the people here. Members of Congress and the President, along with certain members of the Cabinet are within their rights to do so, but they are held accountable by the people as a whole and not just a single, solitary Mayor who just so happens to be from New York City.

Finally, A Whitehouse.gov I Can Believe In

It looks so much better now, doesn't it?

Barack Obama Becomes President, Chief Justice Roberts Forgets Constitution

I have to admit I teared up watching the inauguration of our new President. What a tremendous moment it was for all of us that worked to get him elected, voted for him and the country as a whole as we unify as a nation. Yet as the all important oath of office began, there was a little mix up in the ceremony. It seemed as if Barack Obama had trouble repeating the beginning of the sacred oath. Conservatives are already pouncing on him for it but of course, the truth of the matter escapes them.

From DailyKos:

Actually, it was Roberts that screwed up (23+ / 0-)

... he left out the part about defending the Constitution "against all enemies foreign and domestic".

Just wait: wingnuts will seize upon that to try to cast doubt on the legitimacy of Obama's presidency. "He didn't take the whole oath", they'll scream, "so he's not the President!!!"

by bustacap on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 12:10:42 PM EST

And lo and behold, they already are.

I must say, it makes for an interesting start of the Obama Presidency to see the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court make a mess of the Constitution. Perhaps Roberts didn't want to talk about the enemies of the Constitution here at home, such as himself needs to brush up on his Constitutional knowledge..

Update: To respond to R Bent, he is correct, the quote to the DailyKos does not suffice, but the Frontpaged post does...and is still correct, it was Roberts that screwed up.

What A Difference An Inauguration Makes

I hate to infuse negative feelings on this glorious day, but do you remember where you were eight years ago, when George Bush became our 43rd President? Crying in the fetal position, yelling obscenities at the television, locked in a dark room or maybe being as pro-active as you could and protesting Bush as he cowardly hid in his limo for the parade down Pennsylvania Avenue...all things that many Americans did to pass the time on January 21st, 2001.

It was a sad day for many, joyous for his supporters of course, but a tragic day for our democracy, regardless of party. Not even Republicans could imagine the damage he'd do...and now they get it, as Bush leaves with an approval rating in the low 20s, worse than any other President since public opinion polls were created. Even before the wars, the economic meltdown and evaporation of international goodwill, the nation was bitterly divided during the last inauguration.

From Democracy Now:

More and more, Independent Media Centers around the world are a component of progressive activism. A Washington, DC-based IMC is providing up-to-date information and live coverage of inaugural and counter-inaugural events.

On their home page, this morning they write: "The inauguration of George W. Bush comes during a resurgence ofpolitical activism in America and throughout the world and is bringing more and more groups together in the strugglefor democratic and progressive change. Bush’s rapid effort to assemble one of the most pro-corporate cabinets inhistory has led to increased opposition by labor and environmental groups, students and social justice organizations.

“Moreover, mounting evidence that the GOP stole the presidential election by denying African-Americans their right tovote has created public outrage and is leading to a grassroots revival of the civil rights movement. With the Jan. 20 inauguration only [hours] away, thousands of people are mobilizing to protest.”

It was the largest Presidential inauguration since Nixon's second coming. Activists on the left had some idea that bad things were on their way, but could not even fathom the amount of destruction Bush-conservatives would inflict on our country. The passion to fight him was there though, and it culminated in the overthrow of conservative government (to a large degree) throughout the country.

Now eight years later, minus one day, we have one of the greatest displays of hope and exuberance for the future of the nation. Two million or more are braving the cold and wintry D.C. weather, merely for a glimpse down the Mall to see Obama being sworn in. The parade will be a celebration for everyone there and not one that helps to divide us. Sure, there'll be detractors, that is what happens in any large country. Yet we have not been united to such a degree in a very long time. All you need to do is turn on the TV, the radio or the webcast to see it in the crowds down in our capitol.

President Obama, You Must Do This For The Sake Of Our Democracy

There are so many problems to deal with, solutions to find....but, we cannot just leave the past as it is. The torture condoned and promoted by the Bush Administration may not be allowed to just become a part of history, there must be consequences as well.

Not Much Change In Espada's Bronx

While the country is ecstatic for the inauguration of the 44th President, things haven't changed much at all for Senator Pedro Espada. Espada is as arrogant as ever and refuses to comply with the law. He might have a D after his name but is in no way related to the sentiments of Barack Obama. Months after the election that put him back in the Senate, he's still defying campaign laws.

From PolitickerNY:

ALBANY—State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. has missed the deadline for filing a required disclosure report for this political action committee, according to online records. The January periodic report was due on the 15th.

Espada has been in hot water with the Board of Elections for failing to file other disclosure reports around election time and improperly registering his campaign committee. A spokesman for the Board of Elections said last week that Espada had not yet straightened out the earlier discrepancies, and is facing several thousand dollars in fines.[...]

Missing this deadline means Espada has been ignoring financial disclosure requirements for the past several months. He took heat from good government advocates for this before, but there's a certain irony given the current focus of the Democratic conference - in which Espada has a fairly significant role - on reforming the way the Senate does business.

Espada could care less about reform. If anything, he's the anti-thesis of it. The fact that he is participating in the reform efforts is nothing short of scary. Unless he is kept on the outside of that committee, I cannot envision reforms that would curtail the greed and ego of men like Pedro Espada.

Good Morning Hope, Good Morning Change, Good Morning Barack!!!

There's a light blanket of snow outside my window but I feel as happy as if it were a warm sunny day in May. January 20th has finally come! No longer must I have to see those "1-20-09" stickers in windshields, on bumpers or billboards. The day of change has arrived! Millions went to D.C. for the festivities, millions and billions more will watch from home, whether here in America or abroad. It is truly a momentous occasion for not only our country, but the planet as well.

Now Obama isn't going to solve the world's problems with a snap of his fingers. That isn't what I am suggesting by any means. What is important though, is that as the leader of the free world (that title has been tarnished by Bush I know) he can set the tone of many things to come home here at home and on the world stage.

Expanding health care coverage to those in need is a change. Providing economic stimulus to Main Street instead of Wall Street is a change. Rebuilding our nation's infrastructure is a change. Putting people to work is a change. Having the humility to listen to the American people on how to proceed with all of those initiatives is a change we have waited eight long years to finally grasp in our democracy-starved hands.

The world is also overjoyed. Last night, Al Jazeera's Washington bureau chief Abderrahim Foukara told Jon Stewart that many of his viewers are warmed up for the 44th President. The world is going to be able to see the United States not torture people, that'll be a change. Getting out, instead of barging into Iraq will be a change. Signing on to global treaties fighting the climate crisis will be a change. Working with other nations instead of forcing them to do this and that...that'll be a change.

There are so many changes that we looking forward to. Both grand in scope and courageous in purpose. For right now though, on this January 20th, 2009, it is a time to celebrate one simple yet awe-inspiring change, that Barack Obama, an African-American from Hawaii, will take the oath of office in less than four hours from now.

First Came The Dream, Now It Is Time To Work

The dreams of Martin Luther King Jr. were great, as is thereality of the inauguration of Barack Obama tomorrow. Nevertheless, these students at Howard University understand that it isn't just the words Obama speaks that will change our nation but the people who will it to be so.

The End Of The Last Day Of The Last Eight Years

January 19th is drawing to a close here on the East Coast and tomorrow brings a new day and quite possibly a new era for this nation. Barack Obama will become our 44th President and embark on a different course for the America that elected him...and even those that cast their vote for McCain or none of the above. It is going to be quite an adventure in the ensuing months and years, one that will not be easy, but that should be marked with progress.

That stands in complete contrast with the last eight years. Every single day was a fight to keep the country from regressing into the Gilded Age. Liberals won some of those battles, but ended up losing many more. Sure, we have the numbers in Congress now, but at one time we were destined for nothing more than obscurity.

Of course, the nation wised up to what George Bush and the Republican elite were up to. Many had been shocked and horrified by the response to Katrina, the war, the attempt on Social Security and just the President's lackadaisical smirkish behavior in general. A man that had ninety percent approval seven years ago has been reduced to a target for shoe-throwers.

By and large though, he was more of a puppet than anything. The man with at least a few of his strings continues to be disregarded, disliked and despised by even many in his own party. Cheney took executive power to the extreme and enriched himself and his brothers in the military industrial complex multiple times over with the blood of Iraqis and Americans among others. At the end of his reign as Vice-President, he has given the figurative finger to a limp-wristed Congress that refuses to try him for the many crimes he's committed. In fact, Dick is going to write a book to "settle scores" once this is all said and done just to prove that no one is willing to mess with him. What a sad, miserable excuse for a human being that he is.

Throughout this national nightmare though, there have been rays of sunshine in our long-running darkness. ThinkProgress notes 43 people or groups that have made a difference, if only in the psyche of society. From musicians to Congressmembers, Gold Star parents to Judges, many Americans have made a difference in the fight against George Bush's assault on our democracy. They should all be proud of their actions as we are grateful to them and all those that helped bring this colossal shame to an end.

Now we need our heroes and everyday folks to stand up just as tall and fight just as hard during the Obama Administration. There are forces against us that still reside in halls of Congress and office buildings of K Street. All of us need to put them in their place....and continually remind President Obama who put him in his spot in the White House.