'Tonkoland'  Paul Tonko is best described by an expression once used by Governor Andrew Cuomo's grandmother, "polenta."  Tonko is Congressman Polenta.

The letters in the Gazette pro & con his 'performance' at a public gathering are meaningless.

The only issues are: Are you better off now or before Paul Tonko entered public service?  What has Paul Tonko accomplished with his life other than guaranteeing himself a hefty pension?  Does Paul Tonko seems sincere or staged when he talks?  Does Paul Tonko actually say anything meaningful?  I doubt Paul Tonko could answer these questions, to do so he would have to stop starring into the ME MIRROR.

Paul is no better nor worse than most of of his brothers & sisters in uselessness.  Paul is polenta.

The elder Mrs Cuomo used the polenta word to describe Fritz Mondale.
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Polenta is too kind a word. Taxin Tonko is responsible for the implosion of Amsterdam. His only accomplishment is a useless park with his bridge to nowhere. This is how great his park is-Amsterdam can't afford to have concerts there anymore. According to Taxin Tonko the park was suppose to be a dynamic revitalization tool. These socialists can't get it through their thick heads that parks are another cost to the taxpayer and creates nothing. He also ended the character school in Amsterdam at the bidding of the teacher's union. The sooner he is retired the better for his district and the Nation.

Let me tell you what Polenta means to Itailians--yes it seems colorless--its only cornmeal boiled up into mush--however, it is a staple in some countries under another name.  And in Italy the poorest of the poor could eat Polenta because it stuck by you and gave you strength--Ira--blow it out your ear.  You want to use the word to denigrate Tonko and other Democrats--you might want to look at some other figures nationally under the banner of Republican/Tea Party friends.  BAchman and Palin could only hope to be polenta--they are more like DIGESTED polenta.

As I said, polenta is too good a word for Taxin Tonko. He's more like arsenic to the business community, to the oppressed taxpayer, to the hard working farmer. An energy expert? lol. He wants higher prices for gasoline and fuel oil. He will be toasty warm but wants you to freeze to death. One of the worst Congressmen. down there with Barney Frank and Ms. Lee.