NOW IS THE WINTER OF OUR DISCONTENT MADE WORSE…

Shakespeare would have described the political scandals in NY as follows:
Now is the winter of our discontent
made worse by the wicked deeds of the tribunes of the people!

New York politics and in particular NYC politics is once again on display as the epicenter of corruption and the ground zero for greed. Bill Hammond of the Daily News reported on Thursday that “The city has 43% of the state’s population but 73% of it’s crooked state officeholders”. He further stated that ” 24 of the 33 state politicians caught in the corruption eruption over the past decade live in the five boroughs” On Friday the numbers increased to 26 and 35.

While all of the seven arrested officials are entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty… these current debacles are yet the latest examples that our politics are sick and getting sicker.

There are many reasons why we are experiencing this orgy of sleaze and among the most prominent is that far too many politicians have done nothing in their lives except run for office and live off the taxpayer‘s dime. When they retire their children often “inherit “ their office as if we lived in a monarchy instead of a republic.

Another prime reason is that government is now running campaigns instead of parties and candidates, through Campaign Finance programs. These so called reforms, which are practically a sacrament to liberals, don’t do what they are supposed to. We do not have more competition either between or within parties nor have we ended big money in our politics. One major end result has been the endless re-election of incumbents who consistently come from one dominant party. They are the only ones who can afford to hire the experts or have the expertise to navigate the maze of paperwork and mindless rules that Campaign Finance demands as it becomes the tail wagging the campaign dog. The NYC program which the Governor wants to use as a statewide model is particularly odious in this regard.

In addition to the above, when you analyze the present scandals, it becomes apparent that State Senator Smith, who is at the center of one mess, wanted to be able run in a Republican primary largely due to the 6 to 1 matching funds from taxpayers he would get to replenish a diminished campaign war chest made lean through high living.

For all practical purposes NYC now dominates the state legislature and has made both city and state a de facto one party Democratic preserve. What GOP strength remains is now diluted, out numbered and outgunned by a downstate political faction that has in many instances co-opted Republicans and the other third parties into one indistinguishable political swamp built on money, special interests and personal power.

Far too many party officials don’t know how to or simply will not do the hard but fundamental work of picking good candidates, supporting them with money and manpower, and otherwise work to actually elect a candidate. The GOP, in particular has become politically sclerotic because of their dual dependencies on millionaire/billionaire candidates who have made the necessity of traditional campaigning all but obsolete and consultants who do not run campaigns to win but only to be paid.

Access to party lines and others powers held by party leaders and their cohorts have become items of barter or sale which enriches those at the top and leaves the voters out in the cold.

Once elected, many begin to finance their lifetime career in politics through so called member items or “pork” which are used to buy off specific groups who will come out every election to vote for the incumbent out of fear of losing their annual payoff. Others begin a symbiotic relationship with powerful groups like public sector unions who donate money and workers to the candidate who does their bidding through legislation or salary, pension and benefit upgrades often at the expense of the taxpayer. Others draft special legislation for specific entities or individuals who in return will reward them in any number of ways or use public monies to form tax exempt not for profit organizations for noble sounding purposes which are rarely achieved while often employing their family members including their wives and/or their girlfriends in the process.

We the people are at a moment in time when we have to make a fundamental decision as to what we want from our politics and our elected officials. We can continue to mindlessly re-elect people who really don’t represent us or we can demand real representation through wholesale, dramatic and fundamental change. We and only we can make this happen. It is in our hands and our hands alone.

This week marked the beginning of the 2013 baseball season and throughout my life it has always marked a moment in time when somehow life becomes a little more enjoyable because we are playing and watching the most American of pastimes. It gives me a calming perspective that makes me realize that the things I value most in my life are family, friends, my faith, my country and… baseball …all the rest as Maimonides once said… is commentary!

ERLANDSSON