GB, you left out the part where when you try to get a party endorsement the first thing that you're asked is what can you do for us or how much money can you contribute to the party. Now we're back to the dilemma of only the rich being allowed to run for office and every party doesn't want anyone elected to office that won't take orders from the party bosses. It's time for change and the next election may be the one where the independents do well without party backing. People all over this country are sick and tired of politicians who won't vote for what the taxpayers want and only rubber stamp what the party wants.
I think each politician has to raise money and not rely on the "party." That means asking friends, neighbors and family and self-financing the run. The party can only raise so much. People would rather give to specific individuals. The party gives a candidate support: volunteers, funding, the ability to collect the onerous number of signatures as required by NYS law, etc. But you have to come willing to self-fund or raise some money to run. And not be all that shy about asking for it from your associates, just like politicians at all levels. Sign, palm cards, poster, envelopes and postage cost money. You need to market yourself. It is reality.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
Now others want to run as conservatives yet badgered the town to spend money on their own neighborhoods for years, then after the town leaders did so, went and tried to join that very same team, but did not want to back the other candidates, and only wanted the others to back him. I hear the question was asked "If the party backs you and helps you will you back and help the other candidates?" and he said "No." Wow, that is generous.
I hope that you are not suggesting Quid pro quo?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I am suggesting that when you run as a candidate on a party line and the other candidates back you and support you, you find ways to disagree with them without being an a**, if at all possible. If I were a candidate, I would sure find that I don't agree with everything the republicans do, but they are far closer to my philosophy than the liberal democrats (and let's face it- all elected democrats are liberals statists today, and so are many republicans) I would find find common ground and work towards convincing them to be more conservative. Not blast them to shards because we have differing social viewpoints or something. Guiliani and I may have differnt ideas on social issues, but if he were running against Obama, or Patterson I would vote for him in a NY minute because I know the country would be safer and less insanely liberal. When you run on a party line, disagreeing and voting differently is fine, just don't say "No, I will not support, campaign or vote for them since my ideology is somewhat differnt."
Now, I ask you- what would have happened to the founding of our nation if the founding fathers did not find ways to overcome their differences in opinion and world view? Those that picked up their toys, left the sandbox altogether and decided " I am not supportive of the kind of country the rest of you want to form, so I will go back and give my support to the Crown." are largely forgotten in the history books, are they not? Some left the Continental Congress, and went to be governors, some became presidents, some stayed active in the military, while they may have disagreed with the format, they stayed supportive of the overall philosophy and leadership.
What I am saying is that Tommasone and the others are in no way perfect here in town. But the administration is not the evil and corrupt operation it was in the 1980's and 1990's when Constantino and his cronies ran the town. People actually did get investigated by federal agents then and Constantino went to jail. I am not in a mood to turn the power back over to the same group, with different names on the ticket so fast. Do I like every move they make here in town? No. But overall the myriad challenges and issues left to deal with INCLUDING THE ASSESSMENT, INCLUDING EMS, put them into a tough spot, and those issues need to be handled on the up and up, not in backrooms with envelopes of cash, or with special favortism to the rich and powerful that had so much sway in the town years ago.
Third party runs are admirable, since I admire uncompromising men, yet at the time we live in, we are in a danger of having a left wing-neo socialist stranglehold over every level of government, all cooperating to crush dissent. From town hall to the Oval Office we have that same group, working in concerted unison to deny our rights to speech, to tax our labor, to regulate every aspect of our lives and our industry. What sense is it to give them the final nail in the coffin to the demise of our own liberty?
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
Quid Pro Quo very interesting you would bring that up Mr Bumble. Tomassone, Mertz and Signore have lived by the rule of quid pro quo for years. Minor party endorsements for jobs, changes in the assessment office for lower assessments, union issues resolved for spouse's being hired, retired town employees getting cushy "no-show" jobs, out of towner town employees being paid big bucks for large campaign contributions. Quid pro quo has been the mantra for these modern day Abscamers called Rotterdam Republicans. Change is coming and it is long overdue.
Rotterdam residents will be heard loud and clear ah la Colonie, Bethlehem, Scott Murphy.
Quid Pro Quo very interesting you would bring that up Mr Bumble. Tomassone, Mertz and Signore have lived by the rule of quid pro quo for years. Minor party endorsements for jobs, changes in the assessment office for lower assessments, union issues resolved for spouse's being hired, retired town employees getting cushy "no-show" jobs, out of towner town employees being paid big bucks for large campaign contributions. Quid pro quo has been the mantra for these modern day Abscamers called Rotterdam Republicans. Change is coming and it is long overdue.
Rotterdam residents will be heard loud and clear ah la Colonie, Bethlehem, Scott Murphy.
You have got to be kidding here right? I am clearly not defending the present administration by any stretch of the imagination. But I am surely not blind or naive enough to the fact that this practice is done EVERY SINGLE DAY at ALL levels of government no matter what party is in! One is an idiot to think otherwise! REALLY! Your statement was comical at best!
The sad part is that in our county it is done every day by the democratic dictatorship and no one says a word.(eg.Kosuir) Let the reps do it and everyone is all over it like flies on sh*t! Come on why not shine the light on all of them. The entire bunch is guilty. IMHO
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Mr GB are you implying that FBI didn't investigate the Signore administration? If I'm not mistaken Signore's administration, namely his appointments not Constantino's, where investigated. John Paolino cleaned up the mess left over by Constantino and compounded by Signore. How long you gonna milk the Constantino fall from grace as a soap box for reform? For crissakes even Carolina Lazzari knew what a dope Joe Signore is. He ran Town Hall like a boys club locker room, even brought in an assessor who liked little boys; all after Jim Constantino. Enough is enough. The Tomassone administration has been no different than Constantino's and Signore.
Fran DelGallo in a surprising cakewalk, along with Mr Godlewski, Mr Martin and Ms Dileva. Nobody cares about conservatism, liberalism blah blah blah. Residents want the close knit community back. Tomassone has divided the people, pitted long time friends against each other and has ruined the the moniker "A Nice Place to Live"
That is soooooo not true. The last time there was a so called 'close knit community' was when jimmy was touching little girls, building permits were almost non existent and cash was king!!!!!
Most of those people who lived that 'experience' are either now senior citizens or dead! Rotterdam has a different class of people now....and age group. They are younger, smarter and more educated! Sparky is too old and so is 'no change'!
In case you haven't noticed......shoporama isn't there anymore. Freindlys was replace with a Hess station. John Bigsbee school was replaced with Mallozzi's. The capital plaza is empty along with the curry rd shopping plaza and the old grand union. Rotterdam sq mall now replaces small businesses and green space and the list goes on. People, places and things have changed.
IMHO
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
you people want to do nothing but make too many cuts CUT THIS CUT THAT you are all crazy
Your pals taxing and spending us to bankruptcy. We are mad as hell and not taking it anymore! Households are belt tightening but government refuses-schools refuse. What's happening "over there" in Schenectady is coming to Rotterdam and the Hilltowns. Tax revolt!
Who's calling the shots? McGarry can win in a 3 way race. Littlefield will finish first. Michael will finish first. We need Joe Suhrada back on the County Board. Now more than ever. Forget about Mary Cherry who is dead weight on any ticket.
I agree...McGarry is fresh, young, educated, smart and focused. He's not one of the 'good old boys'.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
The Town went to hell when Tomassone Signore and Mertz started calling the shots. Constantino has been long gone, voter turnout has been less than 50% and the tax rate has soared. Combined Tomassone and Signore tax rate increases? How bout approaching over 50%. Explain to me why this gang of three has kept around "connected" town employees who are dismal public servants at best? It's called QUID PRO QUO and this gang of three know how to do it.
The Town went to hell when Tomassone Signore and Mertz started calling the shots. Constantino has been long gone, voter turnout has been less than 50% and the tax rate has soared. Combined Tomassone and Signore tax rate increases? How bout approaching over 50%. Explain to me why this gang of three has kept around "connected" town employees who are dismal public servants at best? It's called QUID PRO QUO and this gang of three know how to do it.
STOP! You are sounding like an idiot! THEY ALL DO IT! Is it right? NO!!! You are clearly so hell bent on three friggin guys....why don't you hop on over to the county level and spew your venom? Or perhaps you find the dems at the county level's behaviour acceptable? You want to talk about QUID PRO QUO....the county level is the poster child for it!!
And that is why we need SMARTER, YOUNGER, EDUCATED people as leaders.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Good government starts at the local level there Mr Bumble. The county seems to be a wee bit more stable than the Town of Rotterdam. I don't believe we have seen the disgraceful, wasteful spending as we have under the the Tomassone Mertz and Signore regime. The core of county government has been essentially left in tact by the Dems. Tomassone Mertz and Signore's appointments have been absurdly concocted, with a sense of entitlement yet we the people will have the last word. Tomassonse's brother, Signore's kid and Mertz neighbors and friends of a friends are prime examples of the QUID PRO QUO alive and well during these turbulant times. Its time for a new vision and that is why we the people are looking at Fran, Nikki, Bob and Matt. United we stand; the Republicans divided they fall. Get ready cause here we come!
To vote for a candidate solely because he/she has a R or a D (or any other party abbreviation) before his/her name is the epitomy of civic irresponsibility and ineptitude. The electorate must vote for the candidate whose platform most resounds with the people and not in consideration of whether or not their vote for an independent candidate would benefit one or another of the two major party slates of candidates. In my assessment, many (but not all) of the candidates endorsed by the two major parties are interchangable in terms of how they will govern if elected.
Sorry, GB, I must respectfully disagree with you on this one. The philosphy that you espouse on this issue is what brought our government to the state that it finds itself today.
It is time for the people to elect those who pledge to place principle before party.
And as for your analogy of the independent candidates like myself, taking the ball and going home, I simply decided that the outcome of the game was predetermined by the umpires.
I was expected to "take a dive" for a team for which I am not even on the roster. Not going to happen today or any other day.
When I am elected, I will work with members of all parties to advance causes that benefit the general public including constraining spending and reducing taxes. I owe no allegiance to any party and will be beholden only to my constituents.
What I am saying is that Tommasone and the others are in no way perfect here in town. But the administration is not the evil and corrupt operation it was in the 1980's and 1990's when Constantino and his cronies ran the town. People actually did get investigated by federal agents then and Constantino went to jail. I am not in a mood to turn the power back over to the same group, with different names on the ticket so fast.
But then again I guess, you like some others don't want facts. You Felipe, or Cicero or RWilson, or whoever you are this moment, want to deal in hypothesis, and what-ifs, and prognosticate as to what is going to happen. Of course past performance does not equal future results; but so many of you see boogie-men in those thar' hills (Parisi and Buchanan.)
Past performance doesn't equal future results,,,,,unless of course, it's republicans invoking the past records of democrats to demonize them. Ya gotta love political rhetoric
GB, you seem to have a access to Mr. Shurada. Ask him what he thinks of Republican party chair's law firm working for the Town of Rotterdam? Conflict of interest??? DICTATORSHIP?
And since you brought my name up, go to the O'Connor thread and answer my question. Ask Shurada if he excepts the Health Care offered to County Legislator's. I would imagine that a Conservative like Joe would never accept government handouts.
I'm definately not as well written as felipe, and I've never seen a post from RWilson.
Logged
Your pals taxing and spending us to bankruptcy. We are mad as hell and not taking it anymore! Households are belt tightening but government refuses-schools refuse. What's happening "over there" in Schenectady is coming to Rotterdam and the Hilltowns. Tax revolt!
