 | ||||||
What's Next?
My To-Do List:
~ Focus on priorities, "IN FOCUS."
~ Compose a letter, or use one of ours, & e-mail 4 committed friends.
~ Help Establish a citizen referen- dum to abolish NYS government, and to restore and strengthen the consti- tution, thereby removing it from the grip of just three men in a room. To help with Project 2010, go here.
~ Sign the petitions asking Shelly Silver to resign and to get rid of the G.I. Bridge tolls at NoGItolls.com
~ Don't vote the party line. Vote anti-incumbent.
~ Beware of fictitious "reform" platforms, usually generated by the major two parties. Look at their history. Look at their voting records at VoteSmart.org.
~ Support a candidate. Help challengers win primaries. Donate time, money and resources to walk requisite nominating petitions to get Reform candidates on the ballot.
~ Become a candidate. Get all the information you need to run an effective campaign at PrimaryChallenge.org.
~ Call my legislators, only if I'm willing to become a thorn in their side. Force, with constant pressure, certain individuals who have been derelict in their duties, to resign. Get the issues and contact information here and here.
~Support efforts to
Hold a constitutional Convention, to return to a representative democracy. Go here.
Eliminate the gerrymandering of election districts. Establish term limits Downsize government Get rid of the Authorities, which represent a $7 billion drain on the NYS economy annually. Get the New York Tea party line on the ballot. Get a mailing out to every citizen in Erie County, educating citizens on the issues, and detailing the importance of an educated vote.
For Daily Updates follow AlbanysInsanity.com
| ||||||
Features:
~ IN FOCUS
~ In the News
~ What's Next? To-Do ~ From the Trenches
~ Tin Pan Alley
~ The God Spot
~ Expose the Red
IN FOCUS:
The God Spot...
Behold the Coming King...
1 Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.
2 And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.
3 And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken.
4 The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly.
5 The vile person shall be no more called liberal (noble), nor the churl (greedy one) said to be bountiful.
6 For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.
7 The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right.
8 But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.
Isaiah 32:1-8*****************************
Same -Sex Marriage Sails Through
the Assembly
...and the Guvnuh eagerly awaits its passage in the Senate so he can quickly sign it into law.* Senator Antoine Thompson of Buffalo and surround was one of the sponsors, apparently ignoring the brunt of his constituency, or believing his constituency to be NYC lawyers and the massive cluster of NYC Liberals.
Your mission, should you decide to accept, is first to pray for wisdom for members of the Senate, to ask 4 friends to contact members of the Senate, and to consider becoming a member of NYCF *There are no one-house bills -- all bills must pass both houses of the legislature and be signed by the governor.
******************************
Quotes of the Founders, to Refresh Our Memories
~ by Jul
“We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.”
~ James Madison “It cannot be emphasized to strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists but by Christians, not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason people of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.”
~ Patrick HenryContinue reading here.
Taxpayer-Funded Henchmen ~
A small but solid band of dedicated people turned out to Bill Stachowski's fundraiser at
Ilio DiPaolo's - naturally, Bill had been there since 4pm, so as to protect himself from the
disgust of an unhappy and very disappointed constituency. Some wondered why Dennis
DiPaolo felt it necessary to call for police back-up - three uniforms no less - to violate our
1st Amendment right to Free Speach and our Right of Protest, by prohibiting us from
assembling peaceably on the sidewalk. Instead, we were across the street, and as a result,
some resorted to yelling so as to be heard.
It seemed to hail a little back to Tamany Hall, and the days when businesses bought mafia and
police protection - only "protecting" DiPaolo's from peaceful protestors was probably just a
courtesy extended by the police, but an unnecessary one. Beyond that, an unlawful one.
We'll be looking into it, but in the meantime, a number of people in attendance swore never
to patronize Ilio DiPaolo's again.
Not Yours to Give ~
Please take the time to read "Not Yours to Give" by Representative David Crockett,
who speaks of fiscal responsibility, and the proper use of taxpayer funds. (http://www.juntosociety.com/patriotism/inytg.html )
Originally published in "The Life of Colonel David Crockett." (Submitted by Paul Fitzgibbons)
Another Letter from a Fellow Revolutionary ~
Dear Senator Stachowski,
Although I do not live in your district, I feel the need to write to you. I do work in your district and have many friends and relatives who do as well. I will be sure that they are aware of your recent decisions, what it will mean to our region and the cost it will ensue. Your decision to vote in favor of this travesty of a New York State budget will affect all of us, and our children living in this beleaguered State.
I was born in this state, grew up here, and left because there were no jobs or career possibilities available as a newly-minted UB college graduate. This was in the mid-70's. I moved to follow opportunity out of state like all the other talented, skilled, educated youth do, have done, and continue to do. I only returned because of severe health problems with members in my family. I have relocated here and watched New York sink further into a morass of decline, further taxation, excessive legislation, loss of civil liberties and of course, now continued increased spending that will decrease the tax base further. More and more still flee this state because of prohibitive taxation and lack of incentive to live here. Businesses, jobs, and our kids still leave in droves. Only those who get plum jobs working in the public sector can survive on the backs of the rapidly shrinking private sector.
You have shown that party-line politics have taken precedence over your duty to represent the people of your district, and because of that, the entire population of this State will be adversely affected. I am respectfully requesting that you resign from your post, as this budget vote was shockingly unfair to your constituency and all who live in this region.
Senator, as I mentioned, I do not live in your district, and do not have the privelege of not voting for you, but you may count on me to spread the word to all my friends, acquaintances, and family who can exercise that right unless you have the good graces to do the right thing and resign now.
Respectfully submitted,
Daniel Wilkosz
"Make your voice heard!"
IN THE NEWS...
Carl Paladino for Guvnuh!
By Rus Thompson I Albany's Insanity
February 2nd, 2010
Tea New York (that's you!) has drafted
out-spoken, no-nonsense local hero
Carl Paladino to be Upstate New York's Voice of the People.
Listen to the interview with WBEN 930 AM Radio here.
Tea party activists target Silver on funding
By T.J. Pignataro and Robert J. McCarthy
News Staff Reporters I January 29, 2010
About 15 of us showed up to the Silver protest, in 12 below wind chill
no less! But we bundled up, sang "Goodbye Shelly(3X)... it's time for you to go!" and had some fun. Channel 7 put it on only at 6pm, and YNN covered it. Silver never showed up! So people paid $2000 to kiss his ring, and he never showed! We went to the Pearl Street Grill afterward for pizza and a hot toddy. Story here.
Taking a toll on WNY
January 7th, 2010 I Rus Thompson in Albany's Insanity
The New York State Thruway Authority is at it again. Raising tolls, pretending like they need the revenue to repair and maintain the crappiest roads in the nation, only to send it all into the black hole of Albany's General Fund.
“Blueprint” Outlines $30 Billion in Potential Budget Savings
January 4th, 2010 I Rus Thompson in Albany's Insanity
New York State is broke – literally and figuratively. The Empire Center for New York State Policy’s newest report, Blueprint for a Better Budget, details a comprehensive strategy for addressing New York State’s fiscal crisis, including a 30-point plan for saving $30 billion over the next three years...
Continue reading here.
*****************************
Justice Served
Bob McCarthy I Buffalo News I November 6th, 2009
The Grand Island Bridge toll collector accused of sending threatening e-mails to the leader of an anti-toll group is out of a job. The Thruway Authority on Wednesday fired David Zelonis, 53, for misconduct. Read the rest of the story here.
*****************************
Rus on FOX!
6Sep 2009: Fox & Friends
4Sep2009: Your World With
Neil Cavuto...discussing Her Hineyness, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, and her refusal to hold legitimate Town Hall Meetings, for "those people." Some of our members listened to the usual slew of accolades from selected callers in a Phone Town Hall Meeting, hoping to get a word in edgewise, but were dropped. To her credit, she called some back, but to her discredit, made it clear her mind is already made up, ignoring her constituents. When she was called out, she gave YNN a generic soundbite -- something about being excited about returning to DC and "getting back to the people's business" and that she's reached 12,000 people with her Phoney Town Hall Meetings. Two days ago, it was 5,000, now it's 12,000. When in doubt, inflate the numbers.*****************************
July 4th Tea Party a success,
with over 700 people in attendance. More here.
*******************************
Rus on Glenn Beck, Fox News
June 26th, 2009
*******************************
Did Paterson’s ultimatum work? Mean while Rus Thompson files a lawsuit
June 25, 2009 I Rus Thompson in Albany's Insanity
You can also file a complaint with the Public Integrity Bureau by filling out a
form here: Public Integrity Bureau. Then you have to mail it in, cuz
apparently they live in the stone age, and have neither an e-mail address,
nor a fax number to send it to.
NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
PUBLIC INTEGRITY BUREAU
120 Broadway, 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10271
Frank's not due for re-election for FOUR years, and since legislators have
insulated themselves against recall or impeachment by eliminating such
provisions from our state constitution, we have little recourse but to get
noisy, and be persistent. Maybe we can have him disbarred. You can call the New York State Bar Association at (518) 463-3200, if you're really diligent.
Guest View by Tom Golisano
10July2009 by Jul
Senator Antoine Thompson held a press conference on Friday to announce that the Democrats have retaken control of the Senate, and to offer up a bogus commitment to reform. The rest was mostly a failed attempt at blaming the Republicans for pork, patronage, and a host of other problems that have plagued the Legislature for the past 40+ years. Everyone knows they're both to blame. Antoine has caused a tremendous amount of damage to Western New York. I had occasion to meet him on the way in, and expressed to him how disappointed we are with his representation of us. Continue reading here."[There are] numbers of political doctors who haven't a clue as to the cure so they experiment with various political vaccines hoping to hit upon the right one. The intentions may be noble but the solution lies much deeper under the skin. The identification of the root of a problem is sometimes as slippery as the snake oil sold by politicians...It becomes obvious that the State of New York and Buffalo in particular is smothering its people with government, bureaucracy, and regulations. Political self interest has trumped all other interests."
-Excerpted from an Article by former Buffalonian Dennis Bishop, who once homered off of Billy "Stack" in a sandlot game in the neighborhood just down the street from the liquor store the Stachowski family owned.
Read the whole article, here.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Please send along your thoughts, articles, rants, praises, frustrations, aggravations or general blather for inclusion in From the Trenches...
Mike's Story
I'm really surprised by what occurred today. I entered the school and went directly to receptionist as I have in the past numerous times for my kids and they directed me to follow channel 2 news to district office where this meeting was held – they gave me permission to attend. As you [Rus] were witness:
1). I was asked once to leave
2). I responded by asking if this was an open meeting
3). I was asked why I was present at this meeting
4). I responded by stating first that we greatly appreciate the $40K, however, being a tax payer of GI and having paid ~$20K in the past 12 months making a big deal over returning $40k was insulting. I stated something to the effect that NY is going bankrupt, our tax money is mostly going to the NYC area and here we are today cheering for receiving $40K back of the multimillions that went to Albany. I emphasized we need to celebrate for money not being spent and start bringing the budget under control.
5). I was then asked to leave again and I did without hesitation, along with yourself
6). Upon walking out the door I was taken into custody by a State Police officer.
I never raised my voice as you witnessed and as channel 2 caught on tape (that is why they did not actually arrest me). the officer was a gentleman and clearly had no desire to arrest me - a person who I do not know came in and attempted to provoke me and accused me of trying to start something - I told him I had no desire for a confrontation of any kind with anyone - I'm just a concerned GI tax payer attempting to express my concerns peacefully. He then made a statement something to the effect of whether I was trying to start something and stepped towards me attempting to get me to respond and I looked at the officer who raised his hand at the person (stop signal) and this person then stated the chief of police is on his way and wants to speak with me and he walked quickly away (I left hands folded in my lap).
I asked the officer who he was referring to that wanted to speak to me and he gave me a pained look. He then asked me several more questions more conversational than anything. About 10 minutes later he walked me to the door and released me (he is good guy).
Mike M
Dear Senator Thompson,
I understand that you had agreed to submit a bill to the NY Senate to return the 190-Niagara section of the Thruway to the NY State DOT, thus eliminating the Thruway Authority's control. I also am under the understanding that you gave Rus Thompson the assurance that you would be doing just that some time ago. I would certainly like to believe, Senator, that you are a man of your word. I will be watching, as well as the many, many others who are bled dry by the greed of the Thruway Authority every day as we watch our hard earned money funnel downstate. That is, if we are among the fortunate ones left who even have a job in this perenially depressed region who need that corridor to commute to our threatened places of employment.
Quite frankly, I am shocked that you hadn't submitted this bill long ago. It was written by Senator George Maziarz (and kudos to him for actually doing his job and representing his constituency) and Rus Thompson, who wants nothing less than the rest of us: Responsive elected officials who really speak for us in Albany and that realize this is the only legitimate reason for them to hold an elected office in the first place. It would seem that you could have been considered a local champion in your district if you would have jumped on this long ago. Benefitting the voters that helped get you where you are works wonders. Why the refusal to submit the bill? The Governor agreed to sign it....? Why? Unless you are more beholden to Albany than to your local constituency?
As I see it, Senator Thompson, an opportunity for you to absolutely shine in this area has been squandered. An opportunity to at least redeem yourself is on the threshold. The people of this area are so used to mediocre, self-serving politicians and miserable government, that even doing it now will seem a triumph.
Please keep your word and submit the bill....integrity is hard to find in Albany. Please, let's hope that we find it in you.
Respectfully submitted,
(Submitted by Daniel Wilkosz)
Partners...
Reform Groups:
Western New York:
~ ReformNYS: subscribe @
~ Niagara Patriots -- contact
Amy @ chezdeull@juno.com
NEWLY ADDED!
Greater New York:
News, Info, Opinion & Chat:
(Rus Thompson) ~ Dave DiPietro on WECK, 1230 AM Radio, 11am Thursdays
~ Tom Bauerle on WBEN
From the Trenches...
Bill Stachowski's Contact Information:
Albany Office:
918 Legislative Office Building
Albany, New York 12247
Phone (518)-455-2426
Fax: (518) 426-6851
District Office:
2030 Clinton Street
Buffalo, New York 14206
Phone (716)-826-3344
Fax (716)-823-6372
E-mail: senstachowski@yahoo.com
Dear Senator Stachowski and Senator Thompson,
Enough is enough. You do not represent us, We, the People. It is apparent you place your own political aspirations above the needs of your constituents. Your ridiculous vote on the obscene budget will cost us $13,000,000,000, and it will devastate Western New York. Your one vote could have brought some recovery here, but instead, like so many mindless bureaucrats, you went right ahead and voted the party-line. You obviously have no qualms or conscience about sending hard-earned Western New York dollars downstate, yet again sealing our #2 spot as the poorest area in the entire country, for years to come.
Passing this budget, supporting staff pay raises, and your silent deferral to "Senate Majority Offices" in the midst of financial crises are all clear indications you are out of touch and unfit to serve any longer. Clearly, you serve yourself, and special interests only.
Resign Senator, so that we may start the healing process. Step down, that we may begin to bring about Real Reform.
Sincerely,
XXXXXXXXX
Additional clueless Stachowski and Antoine Thompson blunders:
~ Voting to send a $500,000,000 NYS Power Authority (NYPA) surplus downstate
~ Voting in favor of Wicks Law, which is another way in which non-union competition for public sector projects is effectively eliminated
~ Voted against STAR rebates, with his budget vote
~ Voted to close area beaches with his budget vote,
absent funding for lifeguards -- yet supports expanding power base with new Democrat Senate Majority offices, constituting another $6 million drain on taxpayers.
| ||||||
DO YOU FEEL YOU HAVE NO VOICE IN ALBANY? SUPPORT RUS THOMPSON, THE PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE. WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW. PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING.
"The only thing necessary
for evil to triumph,
is for good men to do nothing." ~Edmund Burke
Opinion/Position
(Why we oppose) Support of the homosexual agenda
There is a very clear distinction between choosing to engage in the homosexual lifestyle, and attempting to force an unwilling populace to accept the redefinition of marriage. I’ll refer to these two bodies of intelligent created beings as “my gay friends” and “the Agenda.” My gay friends have freely opted for the marvelous divine gift of free will, whereas the Agenda seeks to force its will upon others – not unlike the Grand Inquisitors, or those that would force the Infidel to convert or die. No, no… it’s really not as extreme a characterization as one might think. After all, Christians believe God’s Word to be the Truth, and a short look at Romans 1 leaves us without any doubt about homosexuality.24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served
the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them
up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27
Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men
with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a
debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual
immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil- mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of
evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.As natural as it is for us to imagine that homosexuality is inherently pure and a wholesome form of sexual expression, as I said before, there are much more profound truths that are revealed to us through the consistent reading of His Word, and we accept and honor its simpler truths in favor of a deeper revealed understanding of our Creator. For us to reject scripture in part is to reject it in full, to reject God’s Word is a matter of sin, and the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23). Okay, pause. God is forgiving, and He is faithful and just to forgive our sin (1 John 1:9), but I’m pretty certain we cannot consistently, knowingly sin unrepentantly, and expect forgiveness. So we die by the hand of the Agenda-driven Inquisitor, the slow painful death of acceptance by non-resistance or force. Or we reject a fundamental tenet of the Christian faith which is that God’s Word is Truth. If we accept only the convenient parts, then we are lukewarm, and Revelations 3:16 tells us “So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.” We don’t much relish the prospect of being spit, or vomited, as in the New King James version. It’s all or nothing, and nothing is unthinkable. The good news is, most of us accept our gay friends and their sexual orientation as a natural part of our fallen human condition, and it’s okay to accept God’s gift of free will. After all, what fun, where’s the magic, how much spiritual growth is there in a God who demands our cringing, unwilling surrender? The bad news is, the Agenda, like a bloody scourge, has unleashed its unrelenting profligacy and reckless abandon into every segment of society, and yes, is demanding our cringing, unwilling surrender. We appreciate the creative talents of gay artists, stylists and designers, and we enjoy friendships, and are entertained by some very intelligent and sensitive people in the gay community. Most of us would rather have Bill and Brad, rather than Betty Lou and Bubba for neighbors. But the monster that is raging through our school halls and legislative chambers has got to be stopped. When terrorists committed attacks on the United States, many people wondered where the American Muslim community was. Why didn’t they condemn these attacks? In the same way, the Agenda is committing regular acts of terrorism on the faith community, demonstrating complete intolerance for their belief in God and His Word, and utter disregard for America’s rich Christian heritage. Where are our gay friends? Why don’t they condemn these attacks?Our politicians have become willing accomplices in these regular acts of terrorism. Despite 30 states voting down gay marriage by referendum, state lawmakers are trying to legislate gay marriage by force. There are many reasons why gay marriage is a really, really bad idea.1. The matter of civil liberties.
Government did not give us marriage, and yet it proposes to redefine it. When government forces people of faith to extend a God-ordained institution to people outside the faith, or to people unwilling to abide by the faith as set forth in Scripture and the Ku’ran, it will violate people’s civil liberties. When a minister refuses to marry a gay couple, will he then be subject to fines or imprisonment, or will his church risk a revocation of its tax-exempt status?2. The public health issue.
Promoting agendas or affected lifestyles in the midst of a deadly epidemic with no known cure is extremely irresponsible at best.3. Another drain on taxpayers.
Since gays would be entitled to the same benefits as heterosexual married couples, there would be an instantaneous mountain of debt the state and you as taxpayer will incur, as a result. At least in New York State, spending, Medicaid spending and fraud are way out of control, and need to be reigned in before adding a whole new group of beneficiaries to the already heavily overburdened taxpayers.4. …and again, the moral issue.
“God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.”
One need only look at medical descriptions of biological incompatibilities concerning delicate inner membranes, of which I don’t intend to describe here, to understand why these things are not fitting. But God doesn’t reject people for their sexual orientation, He rejects them for their denial of Him. I believe Christians make a grave mistake when they condemn homosexuals for their sin, as though it’s worse than their own adultery, their pride or their gossip. Rather than making issue of the sin, the focus instead should be on bringing our friends or family to Christ, and let Him convict them. That’s just not our job. However, we should be objecting very strongly to the gay Agenda, militantly mainstreaming dangerous and unhealthy behavior into our laws and schools.There is also a concerted effort to insert false doctrine into the church. Gene Robinson is a vocal gay rights leader, and the first openly gay Episcopal bishop. Although he has stated that he “holds scripture to be the Word of God,” Robinson has also said "God never gets it wrong. The church
often takes a long time to get it right. It is a human institution, but one capable of self-correction. I believe in my heart that the church got it wrong about homosexuality. There is great excitement in my heart to be living in a time when the church is starting to get it right." Hunh? The church is the body of true believers in Christ, not a building or institution. But even though Robinson is likely referring to the Episcopal church and probably other Christian religions with established doctrine (aside from the bible) as “a human institution,” it’s not these human institutions that have determined that homosexuality is a sin. God did, through His Word. Like it or not, it’s there in black and white. Unless Romans 1:24-32 was somehow eliminated from Robinson’s copy of the bible, there is no disputing the fact that God, not man, determined that homosexuality is a sin. No worse than our pride or materialism, but a sin nonetheless. Again, he said, “God never gets it wrong.”
I can only direct you to Scripture, which cautions us to beware of false teachers.
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them-- bringing swift destruction on themselves.” ~2Peter 2:1Often people will make the argument that homosexuality is natural or God-given because people are “born that way.” Others will say family order, environmental or sociological factors have the greatest influence on a person’s sexual predilection – or that it’s simply a combination of both. I say it doesn’t matter. That it’s a natural part of our human condition, far less perfect than our omniscient Creator. I can try to be like Him, but I know that I will always suffer from this annoying physical condition called being human. Fraught with frailty, stuck on stupid - but by God, that’s the way He made me, all for the express purpose of drawing me into a closer relationship with Him. Rather than debating the merits of personal choice vs. biological predisposition, perhaps we should consider not the choice of sexual preference, but choosing to, or not to engage in the homosexual lifestyle. As surely as I believe in the existence if God, I believe Satan is very real and very present in the world, and this world is loaded with distractions, temptations, false teachers and strange and enticing gods and doctrines. But Romans 12:2 cautions us to “…be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”(KJV) As difficult as that seems, He also gives us this assurance:“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with
the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. “
~1Cor10:13 (KJV)
Despite the destroyer’s ruthless and incessant game of enticing Bill or Brad, all the while convincing them that they are being extricated from God’s repressive grip, consider the possibility that he is in fact confidently binding them hard and fast into his own unholy grip. But God has provided a way of escape, not allowing us more than we can bear. Is it possible, with this very normal worldly temptation, God finds you, or your gay friend, son, brother, daughter, dad – in some respects, stronger than others?
Excerpted from the as yet unedited and unpublished "Tough Love -- Faith in Politics; Chapter 2 - Liberalism
by JMW Thompson
Who Owns Antoine Thompson?
~These are campaign donations to Senator Antoine Thompson. The donations below are $1000 and above. Note where the donations came from, not just all the unions but also the locations around the state.Campaign Financial Disclosure
Provided by the New York State Board of Elections
Contribution Search Page
SUPPORTERS OF ANTOINE M. THOMPSON State Senator 60:
1199 SEIU NYS PAC
P.O. BOX 2612
NEW YORK, NY 10108 $2,000.00 27-OCT-06
1199 SEIU NYS PAC
P.O. BOX 2612
NEW YORK, NY 10108 $4,000.00 13-JUN-08
Continue reading the long list here.
~ Check out this stunning video in which Buffalo's own Senator Antoine Thompson leads the charge in violating the Senate rules and process, and disrespecting the Constitution and flag, and God. ~ Antoine has yet to submit the toll Bill that the Governor agreed to sign into Law, as he promised. This bill transfers the Niagara section of the thruway back to the state DOT, out of the hands of the unaccountable NYS Thruway Authority, and will eliminate the Tolls. Also, ask him why he is not representing us. He voted for all the same pork & spending that Stachowski did. Though I don't think very highly of Tom Golisano, who poured in millions to support the very incumbents and non-reformers that chased him out of New York (including Stachowski), and whose "reform group" Responsible New York never partnered with existing reform groups and did far more harm than good, in an effort to advance his own special interests -- his thoughts are worthwhile repeating here. ~Jul
**********************************************
Guest View by Tom Golisano
I love New York. But how much should it cost to call New York home? Decades of out-of-control budgets, spending increases and relentless borrowing have made New York simply too expensive.
Politicians like to talk about incentives -- incentives for businesses to relocate, incentives to buy local and incentives to make smart decisions. After reviewing the 2009 budget, I have identified the most compelling incentive of all: a major tax break immediately available to all New Yorkers. To be eligible, you need only do one thing: move out of New York state.
Last week I spent 90 minutes doing a couple simple things: registering to vote, changing my driver's license, filling out a domicile certificate and signing a homestead certificate -- in Florida. Combined with spending 184 days a year outside New York, these simple procedures will save me over $5 million in New York taxes annually.
That savings doesn't include that Florida has a 6 percent sales tax, compared to New York's 8 percent or more. Florida has lower utility taxes and lower gasoline taxes. The Florida homestead certificate guarantees my property taxes will not grow more than 3 percent.
By moving to Florida, I can spend that money on worthy causes, like better hospitals and improving education, and on worthy projects like the Clinton Global Initiative. Or maybe I will continue to invest that money in fighting the status quo in Albany. One thing is certain: That money will not continue to fund Albany's bloated bureaucracy, corrupt politicians or regular handouts to the special interests.
How did we get here in the first place? It all starts with spending, spending and more spending.
BUDGET SPENDING
New York's budget was $72.7 billion in 1999. Ten years later, it has ballooned to $131.8 billion. That growth is astounding, but it continues to get worse. Each year, New York's budget has had 6 percent compounded growth, double the average rate of inflation (2.8 percent). Florida's budget, on the other hand, went down 8 percent this year. HEALTH CARE SPENDING New York spends $2,283 per person on Medicaid. That's the highest per capita spending in the nation and twice the national average. In the last decade, the Medicaid budget has grown by 50 percent ($30 billion in 1999 and $45 billion in 2009). In almost every sector (hospitals, nursing homes, medicine, clinics, and home and community care), spending per recipient regularly exceeds the national average.
Faced with escalating costs and diminishing returns, Albany and their allies, the health care unions (SEIU has over 300,000 politically active members), had only one answer: Increase taxes.
EDUCATION SPENDING
New York spends the most per pupil in America on education, spending 63 percent above the national average. Costs went up about 60 percent in the last decade ($12.7 billion in 1999 and $20.7 billion in 2009). Like health care, education is something worth spending on and worth investing in, but we're spending more and getting less. New York City schools graduated 54 percent of high school students in 2007, Buffalo 47 percent and Rochester 45 percent.
Why? Perhaps it's because the New York state teachers union, with its $114 million budget, is always trying to convince Albany to spend more. Maybe it's because it's mandatory that all teachers pay union dues. Whatever the cause, when faced with potential cuts, the union and their allies have one response: Increase taxes.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT SPENDING
It's not just the state. It's the range and breadth of New York layers of governments and special taxing districts. In New York, the average state and local tax burden is $5,260 for every man, woman and child. That's by far the highest in the country. Like Albany, when faced with a difficult problem, these municipalities have one answer: Increase taxes.
Upstate New York has been particularly hard hit. Add unreasonable real estate taxes to the uncontrolled state spending, and you have whole communities decimated. The assessment process is unfair, unworkable and unreasonable, and the result is that 15 of the 20 highest taxed counties in America are right here in Upstate New York. While homeowners in other areas build equity, we just pay more taxes.
NO ONE'S HOME
This problem did not begin with the current recession. New York faced a $6 billion shortfall before the economic downturn. However, in the face of economic turmoil Gov. Paterson, Speaker Silver and Majority Leader Smith looked to the unions and special interests, who answered with one voice: Raise taxes.
Among other taxes and fees, they raised the marginal tax rate on the most successful (and most mobile) New Yorkers to 8.97 percent, the second highest rate in the nation.
It was irresponsible and it may just prove to be counterproductive, since the top 1 percent of earners account for about 50 percent of state revenue. We're the ones who can -- and will -- leave.
It's not an easy decision, but I'm being forced away from my family and friends, a pain shared by too many parents and grandparents in this state.
I'm leaving. And by domiciling in Florida, I will personally save $13,800 every single day. That's a pretty strong incentive.
Like I said, I love New York, but I'm not going to pay New York more for the waste, corruption and inefficiency that is New York state government.
-Tom Golisano
Tom Golisano is the Chairman of the Board of Paychex, Inc. and the founder of the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation. He created Responsible New York so the voices of ordinary New Yorkers can be heard over the special interests, to hold elected officials accountable and to advocate for government reform.
Niagara Falls Reporter
www.niagarafallsreporter.com
May 26 2009
*******************************************
Just after they've been re-elected, Senators Stachowski & Thompson host a $1000-5000 a head fundraiser, and to announce yet more funding for the Darwin D. Martin house. But protestors took center stage, while the empty suits, their frivolities and their bombastic blather took a back seat.
Antoine Thompson's Contact Information:
District Office:
Walter J. Mahoney State Office Building
65 Court Street, Room 213
Buffalo, New York 14202
P: 716-854-8705
F: 716-854-3051
Niagara Falls Office: Albany Office:
Albany Office:619 Pine AvenueLegislative Office Building, Room 902
Legislative Office Building, Room 902Niagara Falls, New York 14302 Albany, New York 12247
P: 716-284-5789 P: 518-455-3371
P: 518-455-3371F: 716-284-5820 F: 518-426-6969
Email: athompso@senate.state.ny.us
EXPOSE THE RED
For as long as we can remember, Republicans were blue and Democrats were red. Then a few people at CNN, probably thinking that the color red is easily associated with communism and fascism, decided during the 2000 elections to reverse the colors. Just like that, on a whim, Repubs became red & Dems were blue. It may be just a personal preference, but Dems will always be red, and Repubs will always be blue to me. That would be the Repubs of the past, as today, they are all one and the same --a massive, incoherent blob of self-serving interests.Under the new Obama administration, the Dems are especially red, with their sudden, unrelenting and unconstitutional power grabs which are resulting in an enormous overreaching federal authority. As such, Red is just another name for the Fed. ~JulJust the Facts, Ma'am
For an excellent Beginner's Lesson on the stucture of U.S. Government and our rights as guaranteed under the constitution, check out Liberty Pursuit.Call the Bluedogs,
the House Democrats who oppose socialized healthcare:
Congressman John Barrow
(Georgia) – 202-225-2823
Congressman Bart Gordon
(Tennessee) – 202-225-4231
Congressman Baron Hill
(Indiana) – 202-225-5315
Congressman Jim Matheson
(Utah) - 202-225-3011
Congressman Charlie Melancon (Louisiana) – 202-225-4031
Congressman Mike Ross
(Arkansas) – 202-225-3772
Congressman Zack Space
(Ohio) – 202-225-6265
Congressional Ignorance:
Click here to see New York's own Congressman John Conyers' saying "What good does it do to read the (massive socialized healthcare) bill?"
The 9-12 Project
"The day after America was attacked, we were not obsessed
with Red States, Blue States or political parties. We were united as Americans, standing together to protect the values and principles of the greatest nation ever created." ~Glenn Beck
Obama Extravagance
It never ends. Click here.
Please try and commit to calling your legislator at least once a week!!
It is recommended that you cut & paste this letter into an e-mail, sign it with your address, and send to the addresses below. Be sure and mail them individually, by eliminating one of the names in the "Dear Senator" line!!
If you send a fax or letter via snail mail, it is recommended you copy and paste into a word document, include your name, address and date at the top, print it, don't forget to sign it.
Tin Pan Alley
Read Our Proposals to Reform NYS Government. These are items we wish to have included at a Constitutional Convention.
Join the nationwide campaign to replace all 435 members of the U.S. Congress called Get Out Of Our House (GOOOH.com).
All 435 members of Congress (House of Reps) and one-third of the Senate are due for re-election in 2010. Another third is up in 2012, and the last third can be replaced in 2014. IN FOUR SHORT YEARS, WE CAN COMPLETELY REPLACE THE ENTIRE U.S. CONGRESS WITH NEW BLOOD, and without firing a shot. The key is educating the public and voter turnout.
What are you waiting for? Sign the petition telling
Shelly Silver to step down as Speaker of the Assembly.
Check out our new page at Meetup.com. Be sure and sign in, check out the articles.
Join the Pink Slip Campaign: Already, 2.5 million pink slips have been sent to members of Congress, letting them know they won't return to office, if they continue to ignore the American people. Read about it here, and get your contact info here.
If you haven't already done so, subscribe to Tea New York. You'll receive one to three alerts a week, which are not always on the website. Make your unrepresentative Representative your target. GET MORE ISSUES & CONTACT INFORMATION HERE.
PROJECT 2010 is not about the otherwise impossible task of abolishing NYS govt and starting from scratch, it's about working within the bounds of the law to have our derelict leadership forcibly removed if necessary, by law enforcement agencies. All the various government departments, agencies, etc. would remain in place. Please consider lending your efforts here.
Our Government
in Action:
The Never-Ending Culture of Corruption in Erie County by Jul
Mark Sacha has been fired by DA Frank Sedita, as retribution for the absolutely correct assessment that Frank's not doing his job. The infamously corrupt Erie County Board of Elections will never change so long as we have empty suits like Frank Sedita refusing to investigate or prosecute election-law violations. It's the reason Crystal Peoples and countless other elected officials haven't filed campaign disclosure reports, and it's the reason a snot-nosed kid with alot of political power named Steve Pidgeon gets a pass, while honest people like you and I get thrown off the ballot because some signers of our nominating petition forgot to cross their T's.
Because they never have to suffer the consequences for breaking the law.
Though Sacha was a political hit man for Frank Clark, and though he may be a foul-mouthed little thug, perhaps only interested in his own brand of retribution, they all stink through and through, and nothing will change unless Joe Voter shows up on election day. Plus we can be very outspoken in the meantime. You can take two minutes and call the Assistant Attorney General at 716-853-8474 and let him know how disgusted you are at the DA's inaction over election-law violations,and the firing of Mark Sacha, which is just political retribution at its finest. After all, if Sedita et al are innocent, let the courts decide. I spoke at length with Paul Volce who is standing duty to take your call. Please call! It is very important! 716-853-8474
Assembly Speaker Silver
