Accomplishing (or Not) Something Simple through Complex Means

1930: Rube Goldberg. The cartoonist became famous for depicting complex devices that performed simple tasks in indirect, convoluted ways.  Example: The self-operating napkin.

2013: Republicans. The greedy politicians who managed to figure out the most convoluted mechanism for solving a simple problem.  Example: The self-destructing GOP.

The 2013 version would begin with the relatively simple task of putting together a budget. Republicans continue their assault on a fairly progressive agenda that began with McConnell’s promise to defeat this president.  It would become his calling to see that Obama will not achieve success.  Regardless of its impact on America.

The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president.

The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 created the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

House and Senate Budget Committees begin consideration of the President’s budget proposals during February/March. Other committees submit requests and estimates to the Budget committees.

According to the United States Constitution

That is why appropriations bills begin with “H.R.”–indicating a bill that originated in the House. The Senate may propose or concur with amendments as on other bills. In practice, the Senate and House each drafts and considers its own bill. The Senate then cuts-and-pastes, substituting the language of its bill for the language of House bill. The two houses confer and come to agreement on revisions. The bill is sent to the president for signature.

Pretty simple and straightforward. Right?

But, nooooooooooooooo.  Why have a simple process that can be convoluted and inefficient?

Because it works better for the Republicans if they can demonstrate that President Obama can’t manage the country’s affairs. To this end they create a process that is unnecessarily convoluted, baffling, complex, confused, impenetrable, serpentine, tortuous, tangled, perplexing, and labyrinthine. Stir into this

Show up and speak up. The next step in this process will take place Tuesday.

Please make every effort to attend the hearing.   Most likely, our next step will be the courts.

A hearing and a vote will take place Tuesday, Mar. 5, the last day the map can be approved.

Any map decided upon would be used in November when all 19 County legislative seats are up for election. This is serious business.

The previous session closed at 1 a.m. after legislators had met in closed session for hours. It has been reported that proposed changes will be included in the revised bill: (1) Dave Denenberg’s house will be restored his current district LD-19. The map would merge the districts of Democrats David Denenberg of Merrick and Joseph Scannell into a redrawn 5th District in Baldwin. Denenberg’s current 19th District would have no incumbent; (2) the section known as Jericho Gardens will be restored to Robert Troiano’s district LD-2.  Troiano contested that the changes for his district would be in violation of the federal Voting Rights Act by diluting residents’ voting influence.

The Republican-gerrymandered plan needs to be dumped and a fair plan introduced.

A  map drawn up by the Democrats on the County’s Temporary Redistricting Commission has not been given any attention. This map limits to 20,000 the number of who would be shifted into new districts, by far minimizing the disruption  that would result from the Republican map.

League of Women Voters’  co-president Nancy Rosenthal asked, “Why do the Republicans appear unwilling to engage in a public discussion of their map? This makes it appear to many that the real reason for the draconian changes made in these districts was to ‘pack’ some of the districts with as many registered members of the opposition as possible.”

  Plan on arriving early (between 9:00 and 9:30).  Seating in the chamber is limited to 250 persons, with numbered passes distributed on a first-come-first-served basis.  Others can wait in a standing area outside the chamber where proceedings can be watched on monitors. A real positive about this area is the opportunity to interact with lots of standees.

Once inside, you may sign up for an opportunity to address the legislature. All comments and objections are entered into the record.

Note:  Ample parking space behind the shopping area south of the legislative building. Parking tickets are issued to timed out meters along the street.

Do not underestimate the importance of the TOHDC meeting place in Valley Stream. The facility is available to local clubs and organizations.

     Last Saturday, a well-attended

Pay the Rent Party provided a terrific opportunity to catch up on local matters.

Tom Suozzi and Dave Denenberg dropped by

The address is 124 Brooklyn Avenue, adjacent to Sunrise Highway.  Hope to see you there soon.  Those interested in booking the space for a meeting or event contact Matt Hynes.