Parsing Reed’s writing part 2 | New NY 23rd

In the friendly rivalry of college life, Hooray! And we have to figure a helluva lot, To tell what we have done, With the coin we blew at dear ole’ Michigan!–college song

College costs and student debt are out of control, and crippling an entire generation of Americans. Working-class students are being taken advantage of and it is time that universities start addressing their out of control tuition increases. As the youngest of 12 raised by a single mom after my father passed away, I experienced firsthand the burden of debt that can come with getting a degree. That’s why I am committed to tackling the unfair costs of college for working-class students and care deeply about ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to reach their full potential.–Rep Tom Reed, facebook campaign page, May 23

  • College costs and student debt are out of control, and crippling an entire generation of Americans.
  • Working-class students are being taken advantage of.
  • … it is time that universities start addressing their out of control tuition increases.
  • As the youngest of 12 raised by a single mom after my father passed away, I experienced firsthand the burden of debt that can come with getting a degree.
  • That’s why I am committed to tackling the unfair costs of college for working-class students.
  • (I) care deeply about ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

A good education will likely be expensive, but cost to students and their families can be reduced with scholarships and low interest loans. A good education may well be worth the cost and effort. Tom seems to have benefited at least economically from his education and sent his daughter to college.

How are working class students disadvantaged, one wonders? Is it because working class jobs don’t pay enough? Does Tom advocate low-cost education for all? He isn’t ready to fund it. He will do nothing to raise wages.

Tuition increases track costs and government funding; how are they “out of control?” Does Tom advocate “cut rate” education?

Tom milked his low interest government loan for years.

Tom’s tackling involves only bad mouthing and attacking universities with large endowments. He seems offended that some university administrators and presidents might earn more than a member of Congress.

Tom’s tears do nothing to help low income students reach their full potential.

******

TV is studded with ads for low cost insurance these days. The cost of insurance to the buyer must reflect the cost of benefits paid by the insurer. Unless we are to believe that some insurers accept a low profit margin, low cost insurance must be linked to low or limited benefits. “There is no free lunch.

Note this:

Congressman Reed reportedly introduced (or more likely plans to introduce) legislation requiring Colleges to report suicide deaths of their students even when it doesn’t happen on the campus.  Would a law requiring colleges to collect data on students who kill themselves have a public purpose? Could this data be collected without invasion of privacy? Is this another tentacle of Reed’s antipathy toward higher education? It would add to the administrative burden imposed on colleges. Tom Reed generally opposes government regulation except when it is his idea.

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NY-23 Democratic Candidate Poll | New NY 23rd

A group of engaged and concerned Citizens of the NY-23rd Congressional District has created a poll about the seven democratic candidates trying to be the Democratic Party’s nominee for the November election. The poll is not associated with any particular candidate.

When you follow the link at the bottom of this article you see statements the candidates have provided for this poll. There will also be  links to each candidate’s campaign website. I have also provided links to handouts each candidate provided at the Issue-Focused Forum held in Geneva on January 23.

You are asked to rank the top three candidates you feel will be the strongest candidates to represent our district.  The results of the poll will be given to each candidate, and will be made public. This information should help people decide who to support in the Democratic Primary election on June 26. The poll ends at 11:59 pm on Thursday, February  8. Feel free to pass information to others.

Links to the Candidates’s Hand Outs from the Issue-Focused Forum:

Don’t forget that you have opportunities to help the ultimate candidate by donating to the  Act Blue–Reed Free 23! The funds collected will be placed in an escrow account which will be given directly to the winner of the June 26 primary.

You can also donate to  the “Your NY-23 PAC” which will promote information about Rep. Reed’s voting record during the campaign. Follow this link to more information about this project.

Follow this link to get to the poll.  Remember it closes at 11:59 on Thursday Night, February 8!

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Nick Langworthy | New NY 23rd

 A Member . . . [or an] officer, or employee of the House [paid at or above the “senior staff” rate], may not –(d)  serve for compensation as an officer or member of the board of an association, corporation, or other entity; —House Rule … Continue reading

Posted in Congress, Economics, Environmental, Ethics, Legislation, Political Tagged Joe Sempolinski, Nick Langworthy, NY-23, Tom Reed

When we try to curb the surges of unchanging human nature, or to quench a conflagration with an act of legislature … we are every bit as foolish as I’ll prove to any jury, as those enterprising beavers when they … Continue reading

Posted in Congress, Drugs, Economics, Farm Bill, fracking, Gun Violence, Health Care, Immigration, Political, pro-life/pro-choice, Social Security Tagged 2022, Max Della Pia, Nick Langworthy, NY-23

Max writes: Here’s what I stand for: Here’s an overview of the issues I will prioritize as a representative: Safety net: A struggling family could find themselves homeless quickly & without fault. There needs to be a viable safety net. … Continue reading

Posted in Campaigning, Congress, Political Tagged Abortion, democracy, Equal Rights, General Election, Healthcare, Issues, Max Della Pia, Nick Langworthy, NY-23

We need leaders who will fight for all of us. Max has spent a lifetime putting service above self, and he won’t stop in Washington, but he needs our help to get him there. Will you help?–Max Della Pia Congressional candidate Max … Continue reading

Posted in Campaigning, Congress, Political Tagged Max Della Pia, Nick Langworthy, NY-23, The Park Church

What if the Trump coup succeeds? It’s still going on you should know, backed by some of those who swore to protect The Constitution. What does Nick Langworthy say about himself? What does Nick Langworthy say about himself? It isn’t … Continue reading

Posted in Campaigning, Congress, Economics, Political Tagged Max Della Pia, Nick Langworthy, Tom Reed

Spectrum News interviews Carl Paladino reported by Ryan Whalen; here are some excerpts: The U.S. House of Representatives currently has a handful of outspoken, often controversial, and solidly pro-Trump Republican members, like Georgia’s Marjorie Taylor Greene and Florida’s Matt Gaetz. … Continue reading

Posted in Campaigning, Congress, Political Tagged Carl Paladino, Nick Langworthy, NY-23

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The Constitution | New NY 23rd

 In a deeply uncertain, shifting, unequal and violent world,” imperfect constitutions “may be the best that we can hope for.” — Linda Colley, quoted by Jill Lepore

Jill Lepore, in a March 29th article in The New Yorker, “When Constitutions took over the World,” suggests The Constitution may be too hard to amend. The Constitution has been amended less frequently than constitutions of other countries and much less frequently than state constitutions. The Constitution may well be hard to amend, but there are more pressing problems:

  • The Constitution is silent or vague on important matters.
  • The Constitution can be ignored with no consequence other than possible impeachment.

Lepore writes that the first ten Federalist Papers concerned the danger of war. The authors of The Constitution addressed this by giving the war making power exclusively to the legislature. Experience shows that this didn’t work. President Wilson ran an antiwar campaign, yet when he asked, Congress overwhelmingly approved war. After that, Congress was even more careless with its responsibilities.

Can a President pardon himself? Can a President sell pardons or offer them in advance of a crime? We might better settle these questions before they arise again.

Is “The Emoluments Clause” enforceable? Apparently not. Can a president refuse to accept the results of an election? Apparently so. Can a president barter with a foreign leader over interference in an election? It has been done.

Should there be an upper limit on the age of presidential and legislative candidates?

Impeachment is in theory the answer to Presidential misbehavior, but it has never been used successfully, except arguably in causing President Nixon to resign.

The Vice President, nominated by the successful presidential candidate, is chosen undemocratically. As a result, Spiro Agnew, one step away from becoming President, needed to be squeezed out in a plea deal.

Lepore writes: The problem, in the United States, is that it is extremely difficult to amend the Constitution. It’s often thought to be structurally impossible these days, but much scholarship suggests that it is, instead, merely culturally impossible, because of the very reflexes of veneration of the Constitution that inspired Linda Colley to undertake the project that became “The Gun, the Ship, and the Pen.” The system of government put in place by the Constitution is broken in all sorts of ways, subject to forms of corruption, political decay, and anti-democracy measures that include gerrymandering, the filibuster, campaign spending, and the cap on the size of the House of Representatives. 

One problem with The Constitution is the undemocratic Senate. I don’t foresee a supermajority of States amending that. It would take a two-step process–first amend Article V to allow changes to the Senate (the Gödel loophole); then a second amendment for a democratic Senate.

I am puzzled by Lepore’s remark on the size of the House. Would a larger House be better? That seems unlikely especially with the present ultra-partisanship.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/03/29/when-constitutions-took-over-the-world

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Campaigning | New NY 23rd

If man could be crossed with a cat, it would improve man but deteriorate the cat.– MarkTwain

Posted in Campaigning, Congress, Political Tagged firefighters, Mark Twain, Rep. Langworthy, Rep. Molinaro, Rep. Tenney, Rep. Williams

The tired dogmas of the past are inadequate for a vibrant future — we must look forward, not backwards.–Ron DeSantis Tired dogmas? Ron DeSantis is a candidate for President. He explains his views on his web page. Our country is going … Continue reading

Posted in Campaigning, Political, President Tagged Ron DeSantis

Tim Scott was raised in North Charleston, South Carolina in a poor, single-parent household by his mama, Frances Scott. Despite the challenging circumstances Frances faced raising her boys on her own, she instilled in each of them what it meant … Continue reading

Posted in Campaigning, Political, President Tagged Far right Republican playbook, Tim Scott

The medium is the message.–Marshall McLuhan Politicians embrace facebook because it is an effective means of mass communication, a one-way street from their propaganda mills into our minds. Posted on facebook: In only two days, a smoke screen of divisive … Continue reading

Posted in Campaigning, Congress, Media, Political Tagged facebook, Marshall McLuhan, Rep. Langworthy

The indignation of politicians is not a good measure of the gravity of any situation. — Paul Harvey Should everyone running for President be unaccountable for crimes or just one particular person? Indignation Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23) Outrageous. The deep … Continue reading

Posted in Trump, Campaigning Tagged Rep. Tenney, Rep. Stefanik, Paul Harvey, Rep. Langworthy, Stormy Daniels, Indictment, Indignation, Alvin Bragg

“Woke” has quickly become the most ubiquitous weapon word in American politics. Republicans use the term as a pejorative term to describe Democratic or progressive policies in general. Increasingly, everything Republicans don’t like gets described as woke, and wokeness has become … Continue reading

Posted in Campaigning, Political Tagged Frame the debate, George Lakoff, Gil Duran, redpilled, woke, wokeness

Some common campaign tactics: Don’t be fooled by political propaganda. Vote wisely, avoid voter’s remorse.

Posted in Campaigning Tagged The Lorax, Women’s votes

“Carthago delenda est!” The Roman statesman, Cato the Elder ended his political speeches with this phrase, even if his speech had nothing to do with Carthage. Politicians say anything they hope will sway public opinion. Here are some current examples from … Continue reading

Posted in Campaigning, Congress, Political Tagged propaganda

“I don’t care if Herschel Walker paid to abort endangered baby eagles. I want control of the Senate.”— Dana Loesch Sadly, these ideas aren’t uncommon. There are many more repeated everyday.

Posted in Campaigning Tagged danger, dangerous ideas, If I had a hammer, Pete Seeger and Lee Hayes

Max writes: Here’s what I stand for: Here’s an overview of the issues I will prioritize as a representative: Safety net: A struggling family could find themselves homeless quickly & without fault. There needs to be a viable safety net. … Continue reading

Posted in Campaigning, Congress, Political Tagged Abortion, democracy, Equal Rights, General Election, Healthcare, Issues, Max Della Pia, Nick Langworthy, NY-23

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America shouldn’t forget its roots as a nation of immigrants | New NY 23rd

The following was a Letter to the Editor of the Finger Lakes Times written by Steve Coffman of Dundee. Steve is the author of “Founders v. Bush: a Comparison in Quotations of the Policies and Politics of the Founding Fathers and George W. Bush” and other books.

“Xenophobia” means a fear or hatred of foreigners. I hate to say it, but our country’s got a
case of it real bad. We’re building walls and fences, snooping on each other in every conceivable way, locking ourselves up in our schools and gated communities, locking our systems of justice and governance almost out of reach.

Yes, we were attacked. By a tiny group of Saudi Arabian religious zealots.

We also were attacked by Timothy McVeigh and his tiny group of American religious zealots. Attacked by Eric Rudolph and the Ku Klux Klan. Attacked by Theodore Kaczynski, James Earl Ray, Sirhan Sirhan, Lee Harvey Oswald.

And attacked with anthrax, not by Sadam Hussein or any foreign marauder but by someone with security clearance in a U.S. military laboratory.

In fact, we were attacked by 13,000 murders in America last year, only a tiny fraction of which were committed by foreigners. Foreign or not, those who commit crimes in our country should be found and prosecuted in a court of justice. That is the American way.

Also the American way is we are a nation of foreigners. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

That’s our welcome to foreigners on the Statue of Liberty. That’s our history and our pride.

When we hate the foreigners in our country, we are hating ourselves and hating America’s heritage. Those who are good workers and good citizens, treat them like our own, for that’s who they are. Pay them fairly and they will not be “cheap labor” that makes other American workers uncompetitive. Provide them education and they will gratefully learn the English language.

Here’s what George Washington had to say to an assembly of newly arrived Irish in 1783:

“The bosom of America is open to receive not only the opulent and respectable stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all nations and religions, whom we shall welcome to a participation of all our rights and privileges, if by decency and propriety of conduct they appear to merit the enjoyment.” — Address to the Members of the Volunteer Association of the Kingdom of Ireland, Dec. 2, 1783

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Immigration | New NY 23rd

For too long, the Human Rights Council has been a protector of human rights abusers.--Ambassador Haley

###########

Linda Andrei:

  • DACA immediate citizenship
  • Refugee status clearly defined
  • Keep families together
  • Plan for migrant workers

Max Della Pia:

“Words cannot fully capture the stunning cruelty of the Trump Administration’s policy of separating children from their parents when they cross the border,” Della Pia said. “As a nation, we can disagree about the best policy to address the issue of immigration, but the basic humanity with which we treat those who arrive at our border cannot be up for debate.”

Ian Golden:

  • Support fair trade and labor practices
  • Prioritize sovereign nations and communities over corporations
  • Maintain and better guest worker program and visa program revisions
  • Create and maintain pathways to residency and citizenship
  • Maintain funding for proven border security measures

Tracy Mitrano:

This country was built by immigrants and continues to benefit from the skills and expertise immigrants bring to the U.S. I support immigration reform that provides undocumented people living in the district in good legal standing with a path towards citizenship. Farmers and wineries in this District depend on immigrant workers.

Eddie Sundquist:

As a second-generation American whose grandparents came through Ellis Island, I have seen firsthand why this country is a beacon for the world. We need to embrace the values of diversity and work to continue America’s tradition of being a melting pot for all.

Here in the New York 23rd, immigration drives our local economy. We rely on migrant workers to work on our farms, we have many immigrants working in our world-class universities, and our district was built by immigrants, including my own family.

We must be open to accepting new immigrants and cultures. It spurs our economy and creates innovation. It is never the right time to build walls and shut ourselves off. I support legislation to ensure our immigration policies are clear and simplify the visa process so our workers and immigrant populations are better able to support our district.

Let’s not forget about the half-million DACA recipients (DREAMers) we have in this country. These incredible people work, pay taxes, and improve our communities across the U.S. This nation is their home, and we need to allow them to stay and work toward a path to citizenship.

Note: Except for Max Della Pia, the information is from the candidates’ web site.

http://www.post-journal.com/news/page-one/2018/06/state-to-sue-over-child-immigration-policy/

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Firearm bills | New NY 23rd

CRS summary:

This bill establishes a new criminal offense for the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device (LCAFD).

The bill does not prohibit certain conduct with respect to an LCAFD, including the following:

importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession related to certain law enforcement efforts, or authorized tests or experiments;

importation, sale, transfer, or possession related to securing nuclear materials; and

possession by a retired law enforcement officer.

The bill permits continued possession of, but prohibits sale or transfer of, a grandfathered LCAFD.

Newly manufactured LCAFDs must display serial number identification and the date of manufacture.

Additionally, the bill allows a state or local government to use Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds to compensate individuals who surrender an LCAFD under a buy-back program.

H.R. 1236 – Extreme Risk Protection Order Act

No CRS summary yet.

H.R.3076 – Federal Extreme Risk Protection OrderAct

No CRS summary yet.

H.R. 2708 – Disarm Hate Act

No CRS summary yet.

H.R.1186 – Keep Americans Safe Act
https://www.congress.gov/…/116t…/house-bill/1186/text…

H.R.1236 – Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2019
https://www.congress.gov/…/116t…/house-bill/1236/text…

H.R.3076 – Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2019
https://www.congress.gov/…/116t…/house-bill/3076/text…

H.R.2708 – Disarm Hate Act
https://www.congress.gov/…/116t…/house-bill/2708/text…

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Tom Reed’s vision of a bright future | New NY 23rd

Reed did however address possible house reforms on medicare. “We cannot do nothing,” said Reed. “Medicare is in need of reform in order to save it. And if the protestors are advising me not to support a reform that could potentially save medicare and allow medicare to fail that is not something that I would agree with them on.”–Ithaca.com

“It became necessary to destroy the town to save it,” —unidentified U.S. Army officer.

We care about listening to the people from our district as we go through the major changes in the coming year,” said Reed. “We have an unprecedented opportunity for a meaningful fresh start, and the ability to reach across the aisle to make impactful positive changes for the people around our region. We want to make sure they are included in this process.”

What positive changes he has in mind, Reed doesn’t say. One worries that they include cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Affordable Health Care.

Reed went on to outline his policy priorities, highlighting opportunities to work with the incoming Administration and his role as Vice Chair on the Trump Transition Team. “I think the economic message from the White House is clear. We need to let the world know that America is open for business. We need to attract international investment and bring U.S. companies back from overseas. We can do just that by reforming our tax code, making it simple, fair and competitive,” said Reed.

Will we let the world know that America is open for business by erecting trade barriers? Will cutting business taxes really bring jobs home. Paul Krugman calls this voodoo economics and predicts a worldwide depression. Having experienced the great recession of 2008, I am wary of Republican economic ideas.

Reed also addressed the need for bipartisan healthcare reform. “We’ve heard from people throughout our region who have lost healthcare because of the Affordable Care Act, or those who can no longer afford their premiums because of new mandates. Obamacare is wreaking havoc in rural communities by limiting access and driving costs up,” said Reed.

Evidently Tom can’t hear the many in NY-23 who want to retain the benefits of Obamacare.

The House passed a measure late last week which is the first step in the repeal and replace process. “We have a lot of great ideas to help get costs under control, but it is critical that we have this discussion with an open mind and listen to the American people while we develop the consensus we need to get a replacement package in place,” Reed added.

What “great ideas” he may have, Reed doesn’t say.

Reed also reiterated his support for popular Obamacare provisions including guaranteed coverage for those with pre-existing conditions and expanded coverage for children up to age 26.

While valuable, these are not the key benefits of Obamacare. The most important provision for keeping costs down is affordable care for all. Reed’s pronouncements on health care usually boil down to “all you can afford.”

“We are optimistic that as we have a fresh start, we can develop consensus and get to work for the American people,” Reed concluded.

I don’t believe Reed has any interest in consensus. He can’t even hear any ideas that differ from his own.

http://www.ithaca.com/news/the-capitol-project-week-of-jan/article_5d7372f8-e6fe-11e6-bceb-f3a794e6c68f.html

https://reed.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reed-fights-bright-future

http://www.alternet.org/economy/krugman-reveals-trumps-dangerous-idiocy-trade-and-who-will-be-real-losers

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While we were distracted by tax cuts for the rich | New NY 23rd

Rep. Capuano (D-MA) writes:

On Tuesday the House considered H.R. 3441, the Save Local Business Act of 2017. This legislation is not about “saving” local businesses. Its intent is to alter both the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in ways that will have a serious negative impact on workers. One of the ways H.R. 3441 does this is by changing the definition of a “joint employer”. Under current law, an employee may have multiple official employers if more than one business entity is responsible for managing that worker’s employment conditions. For example, a worker may be placed by an employment agency at a company or that worker might be employed by a contractor at a large construction project. H.R. 3441 narrows the definition of a “joint employer” by characterizing it as an entity that controls virtually all employment conditions, from hiring and firing to daily supervision and scheduling.

The practical effect of this definition change is that it limits the ability of employees to pursue relief from unfair workplace practices. This change also impacts unions. The NLRA gives employees the right to negotiate with all of the companies that oversee the conditions of their employment. Narrowing the definition of a “joint employer” makes it harder for unions to negotiate a fair agreement because they won’t have the ability to deal with all employers responsible for their workplace. It also allows employers to escape responsibility for unfair workplace practices by claiming they do not exercise “significant control” over the employees as defined by this legislation.

H.R. 3441 passed on a party line vote; every Republican voted AYE. Tom Reed talks about helping ordinary citizens, but consistently votes against our interests.

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