New NY 23rd

We’re in no rush whatsoever. — DJT on prospective Korean denuclearization

Prior to 5 May 1968, Nixon spoke of seeking a “victorious peace” in Vietnam. But on that day, speaking in New Hampshire, the nation’s first primary state, he used the term “honorable peace” for the first time. 

“Face saving,” said to be important to Asians, seems equally important to American Presidents.

Kim Jong-un has reportedly again purged his government of political opponents. That’s interesting–while we don’t commonly use that word, Kim may have taken a cue from DJT.

American officials purged by the Trump Administration:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Trump_administration_dismissals_and_resignations

https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2017/08/politics/trump-admin-departures-trnd/

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/former-trump-administration-officials-a-list-of-notable-departures

https://www.propublica.org/article/the-lobbying-swamp-is-flourishing-in-trumps-washington

Some of those purged held important positions:

• Michael Flynn –National Security Adviser
• Rex Tillerson — Secretary of State
• Jeff Sessions — Attorney General
• James Mattis — Secretary of Defense
• Michael Kelly — Chief of Staff

One reason the American President and the North Korean President are said to be friendly is that they have much in common, one notable thing being insecurity.

https://www.americanforeignrelations.com/O-W/The-Vietnam-War-and-Its-Impact-Nixon-s-peace-with-honor.html

The White House • December 30, 2019

TOP 10: President Trump’s biggest accomplishments of 2019.

Here are things President Donald J. Trump claims to have done for the American people in 2019:

1. The Trump Boom is going strong. The unemployment rate recently hit its lowest mark in 50 years. All told, since President Trump’s election, our economy has added more than 7 million jobs—over half a million in manufacturing alone.
2. The stock market keeps breaking records: The Dow Jones and S&P 500 hit record closes again on Friday.
3. The working class is thriving, as are previously forgotten communities. Wages are now rising the fastest for low-income workers, and poverty rates for African Americans and Hispanic Americans have reached all-time lows.
4. Accountable government is back. Since taking office, President Trump has rolled back nearly 8 regulations for every new one, saving American taxpayers more than $50 billion in the process—with bigger savings still to come.
5. Better trade deals are putting America back in the driver’s seat. Congress approved President Trump’s USMCA this month—a huge win for U.S. workers, farmers, and manufacturers that will create 176,000 new jobs.
6. Trade with China in particular is about to get a whole lot fairer. As part of a historic “phase 1” deal, Beijing has agreed to structural reforms in its trade practices and to make substantial purchases of American agricultural products.
7. Securing the border is paying off and making our country safer. President Trump struck new agreements with Mexico and Central American countries this year to help stop the flood of illegal immigration. Thanks to this swift action, border apprehensions fell by more than 70 percent from May to November.
8. On health care, President Trump is fighting to give our patients the best system on Earth. While Democrats try to take away choice, the President’s focus on affordability led to the largest year-over-year drop in drug prices ever recorded.
9. American interests are taking center stage abroad. In just one example: After years of not paying their fair share, NATO Allies will have increased defense spending by $130 billion by the end of next year.
10. Our great military took out the world’s top terrorist in October. Our troops are now getting the support they deserve. President Trump recently signed the National Defense Authorization Act for the 2020 fiscal year, which includes the biggest pay raise for our military in a decade.

Which of these are factual, which of those are significant accomplishments, and which are attributable to the Trump Administration? Will the voters buy this bill of goods?

This entry was posted in 2020, Health Care, Immigration, trade, Trump. Bookmark the permalink.

Defending Your Freedoms

“Finally, Kathy Hochul has succumbed to the pressure of millions of parents, teachers and New Yorkers fighting to unmask our kids. Unfortunately, for too many New York children, the damage of extensive, over the top COVID restrictions has already been done. They can never get back the years and months kids were masked up, the time spent stuck in remote learning, and the significant life events that were canceled, but, finally, moving forward, our children will be able to see the smiles of their teachers and classmates once again.”

Fighting for our Kids

Same as above. Aside from disparaging masks, Zeldin said nothing about education.

Masks have saved many lives including children’s lives. A person willing to put political posturing before public health is not a responsible candidate for any public office. It doesn’t even seem like effective politics: by this fall, hopefully masks will be a dead issue.

This entry was posted in NYS Government and tagged 2022, Governor, Lee Zeldin, Public Health. Bookmark the permalink.

Spending Cuts and Toxic Poison Pills

Rep. Capuano (D-MA) writes:

On Thursday the House completed consideration of H.R. 6147, a combined funding bill for the Departments of Interior, Treasury, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the independent financial regulators and other general government agencies. This legislation does not adequately fund many of the programs it covers. For example, the EPA is cut by $100 million and the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) loses $65 million. H.R. 6147 weakens the Endangered Species Act and restricts the ability of agencies to protect our air and water.

This legislation changes the way that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is funded, which is really a way to decimate its budget. It specifically prohibits the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from issuing rules requiring corporate political spending disclosure. I offered an amendment to strike this provision but it did not pass. H.R. 6147 also stops the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from creating a clear definition of “political activity” and prevents the agency from enforcing current law prohibiting church political spending.

Instead of being considered individually, 50 banking bills are rolled into this legislation. Many of them weaken investor protections and make it more difficult for financial regulators to do their job. They include serious provisions that shouldn’t be wrapped up in an appropriations bill where they will get reduced scrutiny.

H.R. 6147 also contains NO funding for Election Assistance Commission (EAC) grants. This is a truly shocking abdication of responsibility. The purpose of these grants is to help states upgrade their election infrastructure and enhance cybersecurity. With the mid-terms just months away, it’s alarming that the administration isn’t taking election security seriously. Just last week, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats (appointed by President Trump) warned that Russian efforts to attack our democracy were ongoing but Republicans apparently see no need for EAC grants.

H.R. 6147 passed 217 to 199. On passage, Rep. Capuano voted; Rep.Reed voted AYE.

Thanks to Rep. Capuano for the above explanation. On this bill and others considered by Congress, Rep. Reed is mostly silent.

I believe the amendment Rep. Capuano mentioned is this one:

“An amendment, offered by Mr. Carbajal, numbered 77 printed in House Report 115-830 to strike Section 125, which prevents the IRS from issuing guidance to more clearly define political activity for 501(c)(4) organizations.”

On this amendment Rep. Capuano voted AYE; Rep. Reed voted NO.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/6147

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2018/roll365.xml

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2018/roll358.xml

https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/democrats-line-up-for-election-security-funds

Covid cases in and around NY-23

What “data driven” action is warranted?

• • Published 4-13
  • Updated 5-02

Note: NYS posts the data a day late; the dates in the charts are the date NYS posted the data.

https://covid19tracker.health.ny.gov/views/NYS-COVID19-Tracker/NYSDOHCOVID-19Tracker-Map?%3Aembed=yes&%3Atoolbar=no&%3Atabs=n

This entry was posted in Health Care and tagged covid-19. Bookmark the permalink.

FEC Data

Rep. Capuano (D-MA) writes:

According to July 2017 news reports, Trump son-in-law and now government employee Jared Kushner tried and failed to get a $500 million loan from a Qatari businessman. The money was for a New York City building Kushner bought for $1.8 billion. Getting the money was contingent on Kushner securing additional funds for the multi-billion dollar project. That money was supposed to come from the Chinese investment firm Ambang, but the firm pulled out as conflict of interest concerns mounted. After Kushner was turned down, President Trump took a hard line against Qatar, branding it a terrorist state. It is true that we do not know if Trump lashed out at Qatar, contrary to the position taken by his own Secretary of State because of Kushner’s influence but the situation reveals a web of conflicts of interest. It’s a good illustration of why public officials, especially the President and his advisors, usually avoid even the appearance of a conflict and don’t put themselves in the position of being indebted to others because of their business interests. We may never know if U.S. policy towards a strategic player in the war on terrorism is based solely on the merits or is the result of a bad real estate deal. 

Nepotism is bad in business and government.

http://capuano.house.gov/news/curtain.shtml

NY-23 after redistricting

Note, all numbers (except percentages) are in thousands.

After the 2020 census, NY-23 shifted west, losing Tompkins and Tioga Counties and adding Erie County suburbs.

Active Voters — NYS Board of Elections Data

The 2022 district is more populous than the 2020 district, and the Republican advantage in registration is greater.

Election Results

Voters registered in the 2020 district voted in the special election; voters registered in the 2022 district voted in the primary election. The additional voters in the primary election district appears to explain the 12% difference between the Republican Vote in the two Aug. 24, 2022 elections.

The result of the special election apparently reflects the Republican advantage in registration. The Republican candidate, Sempolinski, won 39 to 34: 11.5%.

An overwhelming vote in Tompkins County for the Democratic candidate, Max Della Pia, shows how much Republicans have alienated Tompkins County voters.

I see no sign of a red wave or blue wave in NY-23: except possibly in Tompkins County, voters didn’t seem motivated by the abortion issue.

This entry was posted in 2018 and tagged 2022, NY-23, Republicans in the NY-23. Bookmark the permalink.

“Erik Prince, founder of the controversial firm Blackwater, is trying to convince President Donald Trump to privatize America’s war in Afghanistan.”

Richard Nixon campaigned in 1968 on a promise to end the draft. The draft of middle class Americans was a source of resistance to the Vietnam war. Ending the draft, was seen by some as a means to deflect anti-war sentiment. Some feared that ending the draft would lead to more wars.

With the end of the Vietnam war, the the draft ended. In 1973 Secretary of Defense  Melvin Laird announced that no further draft orders would be issued.

The second Iraq war was fought in part by mercenaries. I met a veteran at work who explained that his job was to drive a bus on a military base. Another driver, who drove the same route, was a private employee. The second driver was paid much more than the first to the disgust of the enlisted man. Mercenaries, specifically employed by Blackwater, were involved in scandalous incidents in Iraq. Some believe that Blackwater attracted unsavory personnel who were not well supervised.

So now Blackwater wants to assume responsibility for the war in Afghanistan. Erik Prince claims he can fight the war with mercenaries more effectively than the American military and at less cost. If it is a good idea to keep fighting our longest war yet, is it a good idea to turn it over to a private company? The Pentagon doesn’t think so, and I too think not.

https://www.businessinsider.com/blackwater-founder-erik-prince-aims-to-privatize-us-war-in-afghanistan-2018-8

 This information may change. Please let me know if I need to update this page by commenting or email me at ([email protected])

Allegany County Chair: Mike McCormick (607) 661-8089

email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.alleganycountydemocrats.org

Facebook: Allegany County Democratic Committee

Cattaragus County Chair: Joyce Melfi-Cwiklinski (716) 676-5716

email: [email protected]

website: http://www.cattco.org/category/political-party/democrat

Chautauqua County ChairNorm Greene (PO Box 279, Mayville, NY 14757)

email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.chqdem.org

Chemung County Jim Carr

Website: Chemung County Democratic Committee

Facebook: Chemung County Democratic Committee

Facebook: Chemung County Young Democrats

Ontario County Chair: John Hurley

email: [email protected]

Schuyler Chair: Carol Elkins

email: [email protected]

Seneca Chair: Theodore H. Young

[email protected]

Steuben Chair: Shawn D. Hogan (607) 324-7629

email: [email protected]

Website: Steuben Democrats

Facebook: Steuben County Democrat Party

Facebook: Hornell Area/ Steuben County Democratic Women

Tioga County Chair: Max Della Pia

email:  [email protected]

 or [email protected]

Website: tioganydemocrats.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tioganydemocrats

Tompkins County ChairIrene Stein (607) 266-7579

Website: tcdemocrats.wix.com

Facebook: Tompkins County Democratic Party

email: [email protected]

Yates County 

Co-Chair: Val Brechko (315-694-6604) [email protected]

Co-Chair: Rich Stewart (315-536-8079) [email protected]

Facebook: Yates County Democrats

Yates Young Democrats Chair: Mildred Philllips-Espana [email protected]

Yates Young Democrats Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yatesyoungdems/

Website opening up soon.