GREG JOHNSON CLAIMS “POLITICS AS USUAL” CLOSES ORISKANY BATTLEFIELD, STATE PARKSI can't say that I disagree with Mr. Johnson's assessment of the State Park situation. . .
Candidate for Assembly Greg Johnson says Assemblywoman Destito’s fiscal irresponsibility contributed in part to the plan to close 55 parks including Oriskany Battlefield.
Greg Johnson, candidate for the 116th Assembly District, today said Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito’s (D- Rome) role in Albany's dysfunction is to blame for the governor’s plan to close dozens of state parks including the Oriskany Battlefield, and has also led to the inability to pass a state budget. “This is a perfect example of her having all the authority but accepting none of the responsibility,” said Johnson.
The Paterson Administration is closing 41 state parks and 14 historic sites in an attempt to cut New York's spending and has ultimately led to the inability of the state legislature to pass the 2010-11 New York State budget -- which is now 48 days late. Johnson noted that as a long-time member of the Assembly Democrat Majority, Destito should allegedly have influence with her fellow Democrats to make more meaningful cuts in spending in order to save the parks, but instead has done nothing to keep the parks open, end the gridlock and pass a responsible budget.
“This is Albany politics as usual and it’s robbing families of their quality of life,” said Johnson, who also noted that New York is facing bankruptcy because of years of overspending and overtaxing by Destito.
“Our park system is a jewel and one of the few areas of state spending enjoyed by all New Yorkers from all walks of life. It’s inexcusable that families are being forced to suffer because the politicians in Albany won’t sit down and talk to each other to pass a fiscally responsible budget. Let’s not close our parks and destroy our natural legacy that so many New Yorkers have fought so hard to preserve,” said Johnson.
“Our parks are more than just an affordable place for families to spend a few hours; they are a promise to future generations that they too will inherit our rich, natural heritage. It should never have come to this and it would not have if RoAnn Destito was more responsible with our tax dollars,” concluded Johnson.
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But what does Mr. Johnson propose to cut to solve the State's budget crisis?
It is easy to criticize but politically risky to offer solutions.
State spending has been intractable for years. Government has taken such a large piece of the economy that there is little left for anyone else. Only in wealthy Downstate areas is there enough money left over to support a growing private economy (which is probably why Downstate still increases in population while Upstate shrinks).
New York State needs risk takers at this point. The alternative is more of the same, with eventual financial collapse.
For all her faults, Mrs. Destito has seniority now and on occasion brings home the bacon. Sometimes it is better not to change horses in midstream. Or as Bob Seger more recently put it:
And if you can't be with the one you love, honeyMr. Johnson has yet to demonstrate that he offers an alternative. . . that he will have the nerve to propose spending cuts and do other unpopular things a leader will have to do to save New York State and save our area.
Love the one you're with
Love the one you're with . . .
Mr. Johnson, give us reasons to vote for you other than you are not the other guy.
8 comments:
I am not sure but isn't that a Stephen Stills song?
Actually, I think you are right, Anon . . . but the lyrics I pulled up said Bob Seger (link added above)
Things I learned today: Bob Seger released an album of cover songs in 1972 and made it to #76 on the pop charts with "If I Were a Carpenter."
To the topic at hand: Isn't a vote for Mrs. Destito a vote for the continuation of politics as ususal, failed politics as usual at that? Isn't voting for the candidate best able to bring home the bacon part of the problem?
Mr. Johnson needs professional help if he is serious about taking on an entrenched incumbent such as the Assemblywoman. Assemblywoman Destito is a savvy individual who has much experience with neutralizing the political field in terms of ensuring her reelections at any price. She does indeed have seniority in a Democrat club and does on occasionally bring home some pork barrel tax dollars when she votes in lockstep with her cohorts. All of this taxpayer financed pork is contingent upon the approval of the downstate Assembly’s Majority Leader. This adds to the difficulty faced by any challenger to mount a successful campaign against this seemingly behemoth of a legislator. But she has been making fundamental mistakes that are not being unearthed by the other political parties pointing to our suspicions of political party collusion that denies the public to their right of democratic checks and balances intended by our forefathers.
If Mr. Johnson is to be a serious candidate, he will need to expose how blatantly dysfunctional the incumbent has been. He needs to bring to light the Assemblywoman’s deliberate disregard to conduct the people’s business. He will need to shed light on her political influence with parochially benefitting her family businesses. He will force her to explain why she chose to join Governor Paterson with illegally breaching the public employee union contracts by penalizing their members twenty percent to make up for her failure to work on and pass a state budget. Mr. Johnson needs to exhibit his independence by sending the message to the downstate controlled Assembly leadership by telling them that their honeymoon with having the 116th Assembly district in their hip pocket is over. Mr. Johnson will need to do more than simply criticizing the Assemblywoman. He will have to offer some intelligent concrete resolutions to the fiscal tragedy that has devastated New York State government operations. Only then will he be able to prioritize the needs of the people first before working on reopening the public parks that we all cherish.
The obvious pickle all here are in is that an upstate Assembly member from a relatively poor area is in exremely weak position. An upstate Republican Assemblyman is completely irrelevant. In his district, for example, Dave Townsend had no power or influence. RoAnn will continue to have little sway, Mr. Johnson would have none. The only result would be to send that message mentioned. But, to what end?
Anonymous is correct when he/she states that “. . . Dave Townsend “has” no power or influence. RoAnn will continue to have little sway, Mr. Johnson would have none.” At the present configuration of the State Legislature cesspool in Albany, the downstate politicians call all of the shots. Any upstate Legislator, be he or she in the ruling political party or not, are at a distinct disadvantage in comparison to their downstate counterparts. They are essentially relegated to being one of the barking dogs. Any upstate legislator will be at no greater disadvantage acting as a rogue. This is why I would tend to fancy an off party candidate (neither a Republican nor a Democrat) in this race. As an off party Legislator one can be as bold as one wants and not be beholden to any one party boss. The rogue can yield the greatest power when in position to act as the deciding vote during close and/or controversial votes. Granted this happens only on a few occasions, but any upstate legislator can only anticipate getting crumbs in terms of member item dole outs. Therefore, for pork barrel purposes, it may be better to be courted by two party bosses rather than having to sell your soul to only one controlling political party boss.
Anonymous is correct when he/she states that “. . . Dave Townsend “has” no power or influence. RoAnn will continue to have little sway, Mr. Johnson would have none.” At the present configuration of the State Legislature cesspool in Albany, the downstate politicians call all of the shots. Any upstate Legislator, be he or she in the ruling political party or not, are at a distinct disadvantage in comparison to their downstate counterparts. They are essentially relegated to being one of the barking dogs. Any upstate legislator will be at no greater disadvantage acting as a rogue. This is why I would tend to fancy an off party candidate (neither a Republican nor a Democrat) in this race. As an off party Legislator one can be as bold as one wants and not be beholden to any one party boss. The rogue can yield the greatest power when in position to act as the deciding vote during close and/or controversial votes. Granted this happens only on a few occasions, but any upstate legislator can only anticipate getting crumbs in terms of member item dole outs. Therefore, for pork barrel purposes, it may be better to be courted by two party bosses rather than having to sell your soul to only one controlling political party boss.
I agree completely that Mr. Johnson would be at his best if he offered specific, detailed solutions to address problems such as the park/historic site closures.
Having said that, "Not RoAnn Destito" is an argument that carries more weight by the year.
It'll be interesting to see how Johnson responds to running against such a well-entrenched, well-connected, well-funded incumbent.
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