The New Voodoo

By Paul Krugman

Published: December 30, 2010

Hypocrisy never goes out of style, but, even so, 2010 was something special. For it was the year of budget doubletalk — the year of arsonists posing as firemen, of people railing against deficits while doing everything they could to make those deficits bigger.

Read the full column here – http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/31/opinion/31krugman.html

How will this all end? I have seen the future, and it’s on Long Island, where I grew up.

Nassau County — the part of Long Island that directly abuts New York City — is one of the wealthiest counties in America and has an unemployment rate well below the national average. So it should be weathering the economic storm better than most places.

But a year ago, in one of the first major Tea Party victories, the county elected a new executive who railed against budget deficits and promised both to cut taxes and to balance the budget. The tax cuts happened; the promised spending cuts didn’t. And now the county is in fiscal crisis.

Now the federal government has a lot more flexibility than a county government: it needn’t, and shouldn’t, balance its budget each year. The deficits of the past two years have actually been a good thing, helping to support the economy in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.

But Nassau County shows how easily responsible government can collapse in this country, now that one of our major parties believes in budget magic. All it takes is disgruntled voters who don’t know what’s at stake — and we have plenty of those. Banana republic, here we come.

Perhaps 2011 will be a year we start looking at the world as it is, not as we would like it to be. Is it a rational opinion to argue for policies that are hypocritical or are those folks just working on degrading our government and society? I’ll let you decide, but we can clearly do better. With some fundamental logic, these lies can be exposed for what they are, lies. Hypocrisy shouldn’t be a quality needed to be a politician in the 21st century. We can do better than this.

A BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EST MONDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A BLIZZARD WARNING MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG WINDS AND POOR VISIBILITIES ARE LIKELY. THIS WILL LEAD TO WHITEOUT CONDITIONS…MAKING TRAVEL EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. DO NOT TRAVEL. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL…HAVE A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT WITH YOU. IF YOU GET STRANDED…STAY WITH YOUR VEHICLE.

“Most people who stop me say, ‘You’re the only guy I trust,’ or something like that. They sometimes tell me they feel the country is out of control, slipping away. They know who I am. I oppose the Obama agenda. I say what’s on my mind,” King said

I have to assume Peter King is oblivious that about 40% of the voting residents in his district strongly disagree with him, that this group would much rather see him called out for his lies and deception than listen to his ignorant, and very often hateful, blabber. A very sizable portion of the 3rd Congressional District in New York do not trust Peter King.

Howard Kudler is Peter King’s Democratic opponent in the race.

“I was very grassroots,” Kudler said. “There were some campaign signs, some printing. Everything else was speaking engagements and train stations, earned media and walking door to door. I am very frugal. I guess that’s why the Dems like me.”

Kudler, who has only the Democratic line, was slow to respond to requests for an interview, but once he agreed and began talking, he was nonstop. He has taught government in New York City schools for 26 years, moved from Queens to Merrick 10 years ago, is the son of a teacher and is an activist in civic and campaign activities for other candidates.

He is a staunch supporter of Social Security and said he will fight for jobs, affordable housing and improving the quality of life on Long Island.

In general, he said, he hopes to tap into the anti-incumbent mood of the country. “People feel that government has let them down,” he said.

If you use Optimum Online provided by Cablevision, you can read the full Newsday’s article by clicking here.

• Social Security
• Medicare
• Medicaid
• Health care benefits
• Minimum Wage
• Financial Protection
• Unemployment benefits

1. If you want all of the above programs to be eliminated, leave this website now.

2. If you want two or more of the above programs to be eliminated, leave this website now.

3. If you want even one of the above programs to be eliminated, leave this website now.

4. If you consider all of the above programs to be part of the American social and economic fabric and to be essential to the present and future well-being of all Americans, DO SOMETHING.

The choices of what you can do with three weeks remaining until Election Day:

• Vote on Election Day.  (certainly a good thing to do but hardlly enough)
• Get people you know to vote as you will on Election Day. (better)
• Make phone calls to people you do not know and tell them to vote, as you would want them to, on Election Day. (much better)

If this makes sense to you, email  me: mkyankee@gmail.com

YWC!LI is conducting phone-banking efforts on behalf of two representatives, Rep.Carolyn McCarthy and Rep. Tim Bishop.

Together, they represent half the number of Democratic members of Congress on Long Island.

Let’s keep it that way.

Phone-bank for Tim Bishop

Phone-bank for Carolyn McCarthy

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Marvin

We must show the same kind of energy and commitment today for Tim Bishop that we demonstrated then.

One does need not to reside in Bishop’s congressional district (NY-1) to get involved.

One does need to recognize that winning this election is critical to retaining a Democratic majority in the House.

Yes We Can! Long Island  is teaming up with members of Organizing for America and Long Islanders for Change–the grassroots groups that often coalesced to support progressive issues throughout the Obama campaign.  We are jointly hosting a phone-bank for Tim Bishop who remains under orchestrated attack by aggressive, well-funded extremists right here on Long Island. (This is no different from what the media is reporting all around the country).

Republican operatives like Karl Rove have formed front groups that are spending millions to run smear ads against Tim Bishop. His opponent, who outsourced jobs to amass his fortune and moved into the CD from New Jersey for the sole purpose of running for Congress, is spending $5 million of his outsourcing profits to suppress the vote by slandering Tim.

ABC has moved Bishop’s District from “leaning Democratic” to “toss-up.”

Poll after poll shows Tim Bishop is ahead among registered voters but trailing among “likely” voters.

That’s why we need your help to tell Bishop supporters the importance of this election and to make sure they Vote on November 2.

Join us!! GOTV!    GOTV!!    GOTV!!   GOTV!!   GOTV!!   GOTV!!

When: Wednesday, October 20, 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Where: Jon Cooper’s Phonebank  956 Brush Hollow Road  Westbury, NY 11590    (this facility is conveniently located and highly accessible, located immediately adjacent to the Northern State Parkway exit).

Who: You.

Why:  You know why.

How:  By devoting 2 1/2 hours to making phone calls from our call center.

RSVP to: mkyankee@gmail.com.  I will respond to you right away.

Marvin

Perhaps you are not an East-Ender and are unaware of why YWC!LI is so whole-heartedly supporting Tim Bishop for Congress.  We are an issues-based organization.  Few representatives have voting records closer to our members’ hearts and minds than does Congressman Bishop.

He must win this election.  We must help him to win.

Visit his websites to gain an immediate understanding of his outstanding work for progressives, for Long Islanders, for New Yorkers, for all Americans:

Bishop for Congress website

Bishop’s House website

By Hugh Parkhurst
I spent almost two months without a car earlier this summer, getting around by bike, the Long Island Rail Road and rides from friends. During this time, I put around 300 miles on an old Schwinn 3-speed bicycle, gathering local census information and doing grocery shopping and other activities. I’d like to share some of my thoughts on this experience.

300 Miles on a 3 Speed Schwinn

In early spring I began working for the Census Bureau as an enumerator, going door to door to obtain information necessary to complete a comprehensive picture of America’s population. A week into the fieldwork, my car began to operate erratically. Fortunately the census work was local. Out came my trusty old 3-speed Schwinn. I adapted quickly to going door to door with the bike and in many respects, the bike proved more convenient than the car. For example, the bike took me closer to mail boxes and I was able to go by more slowly, without holding up traffic, while I looked for addresses. In addition, I also was able to park quickly and exactly where I needed to be. The weather cooperated and I completed the remaining six weeks of census work on the bike.

Buying groceries was another important task. I had a set of panniers—bags, like saddlebags, which fit on either side of a carrier rack on the rear of the bike. Using them and a small knapsack, I was able to carry a week’s necessities from my favorite grocery store, a round trip of approximately 13 miles. I could have shopped closer, but I came to enjoy the trip. Frozen vegetables doubled as “ice” to help keep meat cool. Fruits and vegetables were strongly preferred over snack food. The snack foods contained empty calories and simply took up too much valuable space. During this period, I lost over 10 pounds, which I attribute to the increase in exercise and a healthier diet.

The bike was also used for 9 mile round trips to my allergist, running to pick up parts for the car and even a couple of scouting trips for a newer car, with most of the distance covered by the LIRR. I live in Greenlawn on the North Shore just east of Huntington and traveled as far southwest as Merrick (23 miles each way) and as far southeast as North Bellport (27 miles each way).

What happened to the car? Eventually it was fixed, without any apparent long-term damage to the engine, so the hunt for a newer car was called off.

During the time I was without the car. I saved 8 weeks worth of gas and avoided leaving a carbon footprint of over 200 pounds of CO2. It also felt good that I had reduced my petroleum consumption during the BP oil spill. I was also pleased and grateful that friends shared rides.

Riding a Bike

To me, the three most important rules for riding a bike are:
1. Know the roads on which you will be traveling and do not ride anywhere you don’t feel comfortable. For a beginner, start by considering where you can ride your bike as you walk or drive around the neighborhood.
2. Always wear a helmet.
3. Observe all motor vehicle laws, especially the requirement to drive WITH the traffic.

Lots of other good tips are available at http://www.bikeleague.org/resources/better/.

If you use the bike to run errands, so much the better. For a run to the local drugstore, supermarket or library, a simple knapsack can easily accommodate prescriptions, numerous books, a few odds and ends, several grocery items or even a half-gallon of milk or OJ.

For more experienced riders, a reasonable pace is 10 to 14 miles per hour, depending on the type of bike, trip distance and strength and endurance. 10 miles round trip is a reasonable distance and generally adds 10-30 minutes travel time. Scout the route first, looking for the side streets you can take and shoulders you can use on those main roads you can’t avoid. Google Maps provides a tool for planning bike routes. Another handy feature of Google Maps is that it gives both instructions and distance to the destination.

This is not one of those times.

Three reasons:
1) Mainstream Democrats managed to coax the Blue Dog Democrats (who hail from Republican districts and got elected only by being conservative on some issues) to pass some pretty sweeping legislation.  Five years from now, the phrase “pre-existing condition” will be just a bad memory.  The economy was rescued from a Great Depression.  There was serious financial reform.

2) If those who voted for Democrats in 2008 sit this election out, this could be a wave election, leaving the Republicans in charge not just for one term, but for several.  It is not impossible for them to win 100 seats in the House.  And many of them are of the “privatize social security” mindset. Once they become incumbents, they get much harder to defeat.

3) If the Republicans take over the Congress, nothing will get done during this critical juncture in our history and the Obama presidency will be seriously or mortally wounded.

The Paladinos are at the door.  Will you stand and fight or let us be overrun?

Please, if you have any intentions of supporting our effort, do not procrastinate any longer. Reaching this organization’s goal of 10,000 phone calls will be a lot easier as more people share the load.

Defining ‘load’: It’s not heavy lifting. It’ll take a few evening hours a week after dinner and before we annoy the people who share our values (We are calling soft-Dems).

Not a bad price for each of us to pay for saving a Democratic controlled Congress and our future.

Those who have been making calls report that it has been a more pleasant and gratifying experience than they had anticipated. Responses appear to be much the same for experienced phone-bankers as for novices.

I am waiting to hear from you: mkyankee@gmail.com

The Paladinos are at the door. Will you stand and fight or let us be overrun?

It was a bright and sunny day as Democratic and Progressive activists operated a thirty foot display at the Bellmore Street Fair promoting candidates, politics and our local elected officials. Volunteers from Merrick, Bellmore, Oceanside, Baldwin, Levittown, and East Meadow distributed thousands of pieces of literature for our local candidates and promoted a common agenda. Even Chuck Schumer, Tom Dinapoli, and Eric Schneiderman campaigned at this event which draws over 100,000 people a year.

Then at about 3:00 PM, two unknown individuals approach the Bellmore-Merrick Dem Club and Yes We Can tables and walk off with two armfuls each of Carolyn McCarty lawn signs. This was witnessed by at least 10 people . It happened so fast that the booth volunteers failed to realize what was going on because they never suspected that people would actually be stealing lawn signs from a well staffed table in front of a huge crowd of fair goers. Within seconds, Dan Checkla (Mid-Nassau), Ellis Simon (Oceanside) and Bob Young (Bellmore-Merrick) gave chase and captured one of the thieves. After being quickly questioned and relieved of the stolen merchandise, the Dem activists released him. Not knowing who he was, the plan was that this individual would go to the “bigger fish”. And so he did….. Right to Becker

Reunited with his fellow gangsters and under the protection of his boss, this individual felt it was over and he was safe. At that point Bob Young confronted Becker and his people. Becker was informed about what happened and immediately challenged the Dem activist. Mr. Young went on to publicly embarrass McCarthy’s opponent who is also a Nassau County Legislator in front of a large crowd of people. Immediately there after, a complaint was lodged with the President of the Bellmore Chamber of Commerce, who then took the activist to the Nassau County Police Booth to file a complaint. After some officers tried to minimize the complaint, Mr. Young asked if they would rather have the Congresswomen call the precinct directly. The complaint was then quickly taken.

While we are familiar with similar events in the past,, it is quite shocking that an elected official running for the United States Congress would allow and possibly encourage this behavior from his supporters. The Bellmore – Merrick publicly calls on Mr. Becker to publicly apologize for his campaign worker’s illegal activities and assure the voters of his district that he will discipline those involved and remove them from his campaign. While Mr. Becker yelled about free speech on Bedford Ave when asked by Bellmore Street Fair organizers to not carry posters on sticks (a public safety issue), we find it ironic that his campaign workers would deny the right of free speech to others.

Becker for Congress Headquarters
173 Earle Avenue
Lynbrook, NY 11563

HQ Phone Number: 516-698-8890

Campaign Manager: Hilary Becker

Press Secretary: Tim Homa

Mailing Address:
Becker for Congress
P.O. Box 535
Merrick, NY 11566-0535

Campaign Voicemail: 516-887-8050

Email Addresses
General Inquiries: info@beckerforcongress.com
Press Inquiries: press@beckerforcongress.com