DraftRudy.com Newsletter #2: The People Want Rudy! The State of New York State and Gov. Paterson’s “Soviet-style bureaucracies”

Dear Rudy Supporters,

According to an article in the February 23rd edition of the New York Times by Danny Hakim and Nicholas Confessore, entitled “Conceding Errors, Paterson Vows to Regain Trust,” in the short time immediately after he became Governor, Gov. Paterson assembled his staff for an organizational conference to shape the agenda, “But the real surprise, said several people who attended, came when Mr. Paterson spoke on the second day. He seemed unfocused, even rambling, in a brief appearance, offering few clues about what he wanted to do as governor and leaving many staff members confused and frustrated. Almost a year into his governorship, Mr. Paterson still seems adrift, many who interact with him say, and even some in his own party are privately questioning whether he has the capacity to lead the state.” [1]

So, does Gov. Paterson have the capacity to lead the state? The people referenced in the New York Times article, and all New Yorkers, have the right to wonder. According to Bloomberg News, “New York state’s economy deteriorated so rapidly that anticipated tax revenue declined by $1 billion since December.” [2] (For those of you keeping score at home, that means that the Paterson administration was OFF BY MORE THAN $10-MILLION EACH AND EVERY DAY SINCE DECEMBER and has UNDERESTIMATED THE FINANCIAL CRISIS.)

But, this shouldn’t be that troubling to anyone, after all, what’s a billion more dollars when we consider that New York State has a $14-BILLION DEFICIT and that the Democrats – all Democrats that control the State Government that is (i.e. Governor, State Assembly, and State Senate) – have passed a “$122.7 billion budget for the fiscal year beginning April 1.” [2] Even with the state hurting economically, the Democrats enjoy spending money without end or benefit in sight. So, does Gov. Paterson have the capacity to lead New York? Well, it’s not looking good, but maybe we can find some hope.

According to Bloomberg, amidst this declining revenue and the risk of further declining revenue, “Paterson said in a statement: He pledged to work with the leadership ‘to develop a responsible plan to ensure the long-term fiscal integrity of our state.’” [2]. Now, this looks promising. It even seems pro-active and reasonable: see a problem; address the problem; and, solve the problem. This is certainly what the Governor should be doing. But, is it real?

Well, it’s definitely out of character. It’s also far different from his whining on Friday where he assessed his first year as saying “I think Year 1 has been a real challenge, and from the very outset, I think there was a great expectation of me,” and continuing “In spite of the fact that I get called the accidental governor and all that, I’ve never been treated like one.” [1]

Now, before I return to Gov. Paterson’s agenda and the question of his capacity to lead, reader, please permit me to digress. When I read this quote I was troubled, so I will put it to you, what does this even mean? – “In spite of the fact that I get called the accidental governor and all that, I’ve never been treated like one?” – What does it mean? I’m really not sure. The only reaction I can have is: Governor Paterson, Sir, you are an accidental Governor. You inherited your seat because of your predecessor’s scandal. Still, however, you are now the Governor and the circumstances through which you became such in no way lessen your obligations and your immense responsibilities. Is this really so hard to understand? – If anyone else has some other reaction or can makes sense of this statement, please enlighten the rest of us.

Now, begging your pardon, I will return to the task at hand, to Gov. Paterson’s agenda and his capacity to lead. What can we use to determine this?

First, let’s examine the situation:

Our State is hurting.

Our Nation is hurting.

A massive and irresponsible “stimulus” (read: MEGA-HUGE-SPENDING) package has been passed (almost exclusively by Democrats).

How does Gov. Paterson respond to this crisis? In these times of economic troubles, how does Gov. Paterson decide what programs must be kept and which should be cut? How does Gov. Paterson decide where the stimulus money will go?

Well, according to Assemblyman Richard Brodsky (A DEMOCRAT by the way), Paterson is handling this by establishing “secretive, Soviet-style bureaucracies” where “you have people unknown to the general public making decisions as to what communities should benefit and what communities should not…”. [3] Wow! “Soviet-style bureaucracies.” And, that characterization is coming from a Democrat. Definitely not looking good.

And, what have the Democrats and their Soviet-style bureaucracies decided?

Well, among other things, they are cutting firefighters; they are cutting police officers; they are cutting the funds returned to the school districts from which they were taken. Rather than cutting the targeted programs that service the fewest New Yorkers and keeping those from which we all benefit (firefighters, police officers, etc.) they are increasing spending on programs that benefit core constituencies and cutting those that affect the majority.

And, how will this all be funded?

“Senate Democrats and much of the Assembly's Democratic majority support raising the income tax rate for wealthier New Yorkers, beginning as low as households making $250,000,” an amount considered middle class in much of New York State. [3]

Not only is this (raising taxes for redistributionary purposes and cutting programs that benefit everyone before cutting targeted programs) ridiculous and morally wrong, but according to Republican Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos of Rockville Centre, these tax increases “could cost the state another 22,000 jobs in addition to the hundreds of thousands of jobs we’ve already lost.” [2]

So, here we have it. Is Gov. Paterson capable of leading New York? Well, with a plan to cut vital programs, raise taxes, his history of mismanagement, his Soviet-style bureaucracies, and his ideological clinging to the failed redistributionary model, I think the answer is a clear and unequivocal NO!

But, loyal supporters, fear not. This time, the people of the Great State of New York will not be fooled into trusting the Democrats again!

The people of New York are answering our question, and their answer is load and clear. Not only do we want Paterson out, we have chosen his replacement. NEW YORK WANTS RUDY GIULIANI FOR GOVERNOR in 2010!

A February 24th poll by the Siena College Research Institute shows Gov. Patterson at his lowest approval ratings ever! In November 2008, 64% of people said they viewed Gov. Paterson favorably, today, only 40% share that view. Even more significantly, in November 42% of voters said they were planning to vote to re-elect Gov. Paterson in 2010, that number is down to only 19%. NINETEEN PERCENT – that’s nothing! In a state with a 2-1 enrollment advantage for Democrats, a generic donkey could win more than 19% of the vote; but, the people know that if they want change, more of the same just won’t do. They’re ready to kick Paterson out and turn to a real leader. Looking forward, in a head-to-head match up, 51% think that that leader is Rudy Giuliani!!!! This number is up from last month. [4] Let’s keep that momentum going!

The people of New York want Rudy to lead us!

Let’s get out there! Let’s get organized!

And, let’s draft and elect Rudy Giuliani Governor of New York in 2010!

Until next time,

Your Friends at DraftRudy.com