Well, I'm back, as we're pretty much settled in the new house, with most of our stuff unpacked. But, I did get to catch primary day results (The ones that are in). It was, shall we say, mostly as expected.
No shocker, Grisanti won in his district. I really didn't expect Stocker to go anywhere here. He tried to be the Anti-Grisanti, and basically: It just don't fly here. Yes, there are some conservatives here in WNY, but there's not many extremists. Stocker wanted to be the Radicalized Republican, and we don't buy it here.
Another "no shock", was Kennedy winning the initial count. I think he's still ahead by 100 votes. I was surprised it was so tight, but not surprised Kennedy came out ahead. You can't go 10 feet in Kennedy's district before coming in front of a Tim Kennedy sign.
Amodeo was a surprise to me. I was expecting Swanick to come out ahead, but I don't have a thumb on the pulse of that area there.
But, all in all; not many surprises here. I don't expect too many surprises in November either. Grisanti wins. Kennedy wins. Amodeo? I don't honestly know, but it'll give me a reason to keep on the pulse in his district.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Still Here, and Getting Settled In
Not much of a politics posts today, or a green thing, but just wanted to let everyone know:
I've gotten totally moved in, but not unpacked. My home office is coming together, so I can have my writing spot soon. The family so far is loving the new (First) home. I've got to prioritize my projects. I've got water catchment, planting, antenna work, (tiny) data center work, and the various home other home projects.
I do have to remember not do try and take on too much at once, so I think I can get the vegetable bed started, but need tools. And then, water catchment, but need tools. So, my first job I think is "Buy more tools".
I'll keep home progress updated here too, as it'll give me more writing materials. I'm hoping to get another post out by Thursday, but work catch up is killing me right now, as I was on vacation for two weeks. At least nothing died while I was gone, just day one and two of being back.
I can see already why home ownership is important to communities, to keep them thriving. I've spoke more with my new neighbors in 4 days than I had my old neighbors over 8 years. It's quite the eye opener.
But, until my next post, stay sane people. Remember, GOP and Independent Primaries are in a few days (September 19th, I believe), and elections are just around the corner.
- Yes, I am alive
- Yes, I've moved into my new house
- Yes, I will start posting regularly by next week
I've gotten totally moved in, but not unpacked. My home office is coming together, so I can have my writing spot soon. The family so far is loving the new (First) home. I've got to prioritize my projects. I've got water catchment, planting, antenna work, (tiny) data center work, and the various home other home projects.
I do have to remember not do try and take on too much at once, so I think I can get the vegetable bed started, but need tools. And then, water catchment, but need tools. So, my first job I think is "Buy more tools".
I'll keep home progress updated here too, as it'll give me more writing materials. I'm hoping to get another post out by Thursday, but work catch up is killing me right now, as I was on vacation for two weeks. At least nothing died while I was gone, just day one and two of being back.
I can see already why home ownership is important to communities, to keep them thriving. I've spoke more with my new neighbors in 4 days than I had my old neighbors over 8 years. It's quite the eye opener.
But, until my next post, stay sane people. Remember, GOP and Independent Primaries are in a few days (September 19th, I believe), and elections are just around the corner.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Prison System Replacement
So, the notion that our prison system is broken beyond repair, is a belief I tend to agree with.
Right now, the US has more than 2 million citizens in prison. We have successfully beaten Stalin in this area. In fact, we beat every nation on the planet in this regard. Oft times, people are put into prison, for life sentences, for merely dealing marijuana 3 times (3 strike law).
Non-violent offenders, being put into prison for a life sentence, appears on it's face to be a senseless move. What sense does it make to have non-violent offenders in for life sentences?
Violent offenders, sit in prison for life terms (Sometimes), but is it humane to do so? We don't put violent dogs in kennels for life terms. We understand they are not able to cope with society, so we remove them from society. However, due to the fact that we have an imperfect justice system, the death penalty seems inhumane, in and of itself, due to the large chance for error.
Conditions in our prisons inhumane at worst, and not conducive to rehabilitation at best. We breed the "best in class" when it comes to criminals in prison. They learn how to break the law under to most stringent of regulation environment, making them super-criminals on the outside.
I asked in the last post, what are your suggestions. I believe we need a complete revamp of the prison system. Not "improvements", but a complete replacement.
The best I can come up with, is a system akin to "Escape from NY", a 1981 film, where Manhattan was converted to a maximum security prison. I, however, differ in how the setup should be.
We would take a land mass that is capable of sustaining people. Criminals will be sent there, for a predetermined time (Life if that is what the crime calls for). No guards. No LEO's. Nothing. They are sent to survive on their own there. When their times comes, they are to go to the checkout point, and leave. There is no criminal record kept. When a person does the time, that's it. We need to stop punishing people after they've done their sentence.
Would the Penal Colony be more or less humane than what we have now? I don't know. I figure it gives the residents the ability to create a society that meets their desired needs. I could be way off here, but give your thoughts here.
Right now, the US has more than 2 million citizens in prison. We have successfully beaten Stalin in this area. In fact, we beat every nation on the planet in this regard. Oft times, people are put into prison, for life sentences, for merely dealing marijuana 3 times (3 strike law).
Non-violent offenders, being put into prison for a life sentence, appears on it's face to be a senseless move. What sense does it make to have non-violent offenders in for life sentences?
Violent offenders, sit in prison for life terms (Sometimes), but is it humane to do so? We don't put violent dogs in kennels for life terms. We understand they are not able to cope with society, so we remove them from society. However, due to the fact that we have an imperfect justice system, the death penalty seems inhumane, in and of itself, due to the large chance for error.
Conditions in our prisons inhumane at worst, and not conducive to rehabilitation at best. We breed the "best in class" when it comes to criminals in prison. They learn how to break the law under to most stringent of regulation environment, making them super-criminals on the outside.
I asked in the last post, what are your suggestions. I believe we need a complete revamp of the prison system. Not "improvements", but a complete replacement.
The best I can come up with, is a system akin to "Escape from NY", a 1981 film, where Manhattan was converted to a maximum security prison. I, however, differ in how the setup should be.
We would take a land mass that is capable of sustaining people. Criminals will be sent there, for a predetermined time (Life if that is what the crime calls for). No guards. No LEO's. Nothing. They are sent to survive on their own there. When their times comes, they are to go to the checkout point, and leave. There is no criminal record kept. When a person does the time, that's it. We need to stop punishing people after they've done their sentence.
Would the Penal Colony be more or less humane than what we have now? I don't know. I figure it gives the residents the ability to create a society that meets their desired needs. I could be way off here, but give your thoughts here.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Sporadic Posting
Over the next week or so, my posts will be somewhat sporadic, as I'm now getting heavy into the process of getting everything packed, which includes the cable modem/router/etc.
I'll try to pop over to some free wifi, and get some posts out there, but don't expect them to be as regular. Sorry guys and gals. I'll be back no later than September 2nd, posting again.
I'll try to pop over to some free wifi, and get some posts out there, but don't expect them to be as regular. Sorry guys and gals. I'll be back no later than September 2nd, posting again.
Friday, August 24, 2012
A Late Post, But With Good Reason!
I know, this post is much later in the day than I generally aim for, but I've got a great reason excuse this time.
I had a almost completed the original post (Which was about another local candidate), when I read an interesting article on our current situation with prison (The article was in N+). And, I felt it deserved to be written about today, and not put off.
It brought up several excellent points about the demographics of the prison population (There are more incarcerated black males than we had during our period of slavery). The fact that the only nation that has incarcerated more people than we currently do is the Soviet Union under Stalin.
The article also discussed the fact that while crime rates are going down, our prison population is ever-increasing.
The summary fact was this: Our current prison system is broken, and designed to promote recidivism.
I'm aiming to write another article today (Or tomorrow) with some possible solutions to our prison system, which is in dire need of taking apart, and rebuilding. Meanwhile, I'd love to hear your input. As progressives, we need to look at HOW to fix our current problems, not just bitch about them.
I'm looking forward to reading any comments on this!
I had a almost completed the original post (Which was about another local candidate), when I read an interesting article on our current situation with prison (The article was in N+). And, I felt it deserved to be written about today, and not put off.
It brought up several excellent points about the demographics of the prison population (There are more incarcerated black males than we had during our period of slavery). The fact that the only nation that has incarcerated more people than we currently do is the Soviet Union under Stalin.
The article also discussed the fact that while crime rates are going down, our prison population is ever-increasing.
The summary fact was this: Our current prison system is broken, and designed to promote recidivism.
I'm aiming to write another article today (Or tomorrow) with some possible solutions to our prison system, which is in dire need of taking apart, and rebuilding. Meanwhile, I'd love to hear your input. As progressives, we need to look at HOW to fix our current problems, not just bitch about them.
I'm looking forward to reading any comments on this!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Medicaid Fraud, Illegal Immigrants, and Tax Increases! Oh My!
So, I have to say, Sen. Grisanti is starting to disappoint me. It seems like he is trying to pander to the lowest common denominator in the GOP party, instead of running based on representing his constituents (Which he has done a pretty good job, BTW).
Biometrics on Medicaid cards. Purported to save tax dollars due to consumer Medicaid fraud. The problem here? Well, firstly, only 10% of Medicaid fraud is due to consumer-side. I mean, are you going to get 15 scripts filled for antibiotics? Of course not. Most of the fraud comes from the provider side, billing for services not rendered, double billing for services, and inflating costs billed, etc etc. It's the same-old, same-old attack on people collecting benefits, instead of attacking the true source of the problem.
The second issue with the biometrics is the costs involved. I wish Sen. Grisanti would talk to some of his constituents who are in Information Technology. We could explain to him to steep costs involved, and the lack of ROI unless a high-dollar contract is requiring it. In the case of Medicaid, we'd be in the same boat as Florida with their drug testing welfare beneficiaries. It costs about 3 times what it saves, causing a net loss. This is going to be the same deal. We spend $15 billion, to save $3 billion.
Also, the attack on "Illegal Immigrants". Now, the target of this measure is to keep students who have excelled in high school and grade school from collecting TAP or anything other state benefits, if their parents brought them here illegally.
Now, on it's face, this sounds like a sane enough plan. However, it breaks down the further you look at it. The students this will hit are those who were brought here as infants, and raised here their entire lives. Many don't even have any sort of accent. We are basically refusing to aid potentially productive members of our society; because of a decision that was not made by them, and they might not even know it.
It sounds like something that needs to be done, since we can't fund TAP completely. However, when you realize we refund over $1 trillion per year in stock transfer taxes, back to brokerage houses, because of a back-room sweetheart deal that happened about a decade ago. Most interesting about this? You, as an individual investor, pay this tax when you buy or sell stocks. The money is refunded to the brokerage. You never see it again. See how that works?
Bottom line here: Mark Grisanti, stop pandering to the radical right in your party. You'll get on the ballot, and win the general, if you keep the course you've been on up to this point. Keep working for your constituents, and stop trying to pit one versus another. Trust me. It'll bite you in the ass at general election if you keep up the behavior over the past 2 weeks. Words on the internet are there forever, and will return to haunt you.
Biometrics on Medicaid cards. Purported to save tax dollars due to consumer Medicaid fraud. The problem here? Well, firstly, only 10% of Medicaid fraud is due to consumer-side. I mean, are you going to get 15 scripts filled for antibiotics? Of course not. Most of the fraud comes from the provider side, billing for services not rendered, double billing for services, and inflating costs billed, etc etc. It's the same-old, same-old attack on people collecting benefits, instead of attacking the true source of the problem.
The second issue with the biometrics is the costs involved. I wish Sen. Grisanti would talk to some of his constituents who are in Information Technology. We could explain to him to steep costs involved, and the lack of ROI unless a high-dollar contract is requiring it. In the case of Medicaid, we'd be in the same boat as Florida with their drug testing welfare beneficiaries. It costs about 3 times what it saves, causing a net loss. This is going to be the same deal. We spend $15 billion, to save $3 billion.
Also, the attack on "Illegal Immigrants". Now, the target of this measure is to keep students who have excelled in high school and grade school from collecting TAP or anything other state benefits, if their parents brought them here illegally.
Now, on it's face, this sounds like a sane enough plan. However, it breaks down the further you look at it. The students this will hit are those who were brought here as infants, and raised here their entire lives. Many don't even have any sort of accent. We are basically refusing to aid potentially productive members of our society; because of a decision that was not made by them, and they might not even know it.
It sounds like something that needs to be done, since we can't fund TAP completely. However, when you realize we refund over $1 trillion per year in stock transfer taxes, back to brokerage houses, because of a back-room sweetheart deal that happened about a decade ago. Most interesting about this? You, as an individual investor, pay this tax when you buy or sell stocks. The money is refunded to the brokerage. You never see it again. See how that works?
Bottom line here: Mark Grisanti, stop pandering to the radical right in your party. You'll get on the ballot, and win the general, if you keep the course you've been on up to this point. Keep working for your constituents, and stop trying to pit one versus another. Trust me. It'll bite you in the ass at general election if you keep up the behavior over the past 2 weeks. Words on the internet are there forever, and will return to haunt you.
Monday, August 20, 2012
The Taxes Are Too High In Buffalo!
Or, are they?
One thing I find quite irritating, are those who claim taxes in Buffalo are too high, and that's why people are moving out.
When I try to nail down which set of taxes are too high, property taxes generally come up first. Property taxes in the City of Buffalo are quite reasonable, actually. Average property tax bill in Buffalo is about $1500 a year. I think people might be confusing Buffalo with Kenmore, whose average tax bill is about $4 or $5K per year.
Or, people try to get more generic, and move up to the state. Income taxes! Well, income taxes in NYS are rather reasonable too. Albeit, it's not Texas (Where they have no income tax), but I can attest, Texas sucks if you need anything more than a license. No real service stations on the interstates (That I saw), just parking spaces, where you've gotta move before 30 minutes is up.
Then, it comes to sales taxes. Well, I've got to admit, sales taxes are pretty high. But, we have a huge state, and with minimal income taxes, you've got to fund it somehow.
But I digress. I do think it's silly for people to say the taxes in Buffalo itself are too high. The taxes in the city are meager at best. I think people are venting their anger at their suburban tax bill, and somehow equating that to Buffalo.
My suggestion for people doing this? Why not ask your town board why your taxes are 4 times that of the City's.
One thing I find quite irritating, are those who claim taxes in Buffalo are too high, and that's why people are moving out.
When I try to nail down which set of taxes are too high, property taxes generally come up first. Property taxes in the City of Buffalo are quite reasonable, actually. Average property tax bill in Buffalo is about $1500 a year. I think people might be confusing Buffalo with Kenmore, whose average tax bill is about $4 or $5K per year.
Or, people try to get more generic, and move up to the state. Income taxes! Well, income taxes in NYS are rather reasonable too. Albeit, it's not Texas (Where they have no income tax), but I can attest, Texas sucks if you need anything more than a license. No real service stations on the interstates (That I saw), just parking spaces, where you've gotta move before 30 minutes is up.
Then, it comes to sales taxes. Well, I've got to admit, sales taxes are pretty high. But, we have a huge state, and with minimal income taxes, you've got to fund it somehow.
But I digress. I do think it's silly for people to say the taxes in Buffalo itself are too high. The taxes in the city are meager at best. I think people are venting their anger at their suburban tax bill, and somehow equating that to Buffalo.
My suggestion for people doing this? Why not ask your town board why your taxes are 4 times that of the City's.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Well, Corasanti Pretty Much Walks
Well, the sentencing came in for the Corasanti case: He gets 8 months in prison, loses his license for 6 months, and is required to have an interlock device for 6 months, with a couple of years probation.
All in all: A slap on the hand for a murderer.
Jack Quinn, that 'tard, wrote a letter asking for leniency because the Good Ole Doc was funding some scholarships for ECC. That's great and all, and I suppose any person who wants to commit murder just needs to set up a scholarship, and they'd get it easy, right Jack? Jack, you're not longer a politician, thankfully, you scum-sucker.
But, thankfully, the judge nailed it on the head:
"Being a well-respected medial doctor does not put you above the law."
At least the judge realized the jury erred, and did her best to correct it. A misdemeanor DUI usually gets a slap on the wrist, couple years probation, and that's it.
As Donny Esmonde puts it, "Consequences do not always match the crime. Justice does not always get a full piece of the action. I hope that, in this case, a little goes a long way."
All in all: A slap on the hand for a murderer.
Jack Quinn, that 'tard, wrote a letter asking for leniency because the Good Ole Doc was funding some scholarships for ECC. That's great and all, and I suppose any person who wants to commit murder just needs to set up a scholarship, and they'd get it easy, right Jack? Jack, you're not longer a politician, thankfully, you scum-sucker.
But, thankfully, the judge nailed it on the head:
"Being a well-respected medial doctor does not put you above the law."
At least the judge realized the jury erred, and did her best to correct it. A misdemeanor DUI usually gets a slap on the wrist, couple years probation, and that's it.
As Donny Esmonde puts it, "Consequences do not always match the crime. Justice does not always get a full piece of the action. I hope that, in this case, a little goes a long way."
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Capital Improvements Coming to the CoB
City Hall yesterday came out to talk about planned improvements to the Lovejoy are, with improvements such as bicycle lanes, lighting, etc for the planned commercial district.
One thing I'm liking thus far, is the fact that bicycle lanes are getting a focus, but primarily that the neighborhood itself was involved in the determination of what to do. Far too often, City Hall has been on it's own when determining the direction a neighborhood should take, or scumbags like Carl Paladino call the shots for whatever might get investment from the City.
The community in Lovejoy wanted to work on their commercial district, so that's where the focus is. Brown also said there's going to be similar projects in Elmwood Village and the Filmore district.
I'm not sure why these areas got priority, I'm sure there was some cronyism involved here, to be sure. Can't have anything done in politics without that. But, if it were me? I'd have slotted Grant St area first, since any improvement there is likely to improve on EV, due only to proximity. In fact, Grant St. is already looking to get spillover from EV. Take a ride down Grant St, between Forest and Ferry. Park your car at Lafayette and Grant, and just watch for a few minutes.
They've got an art gallery, coffee shop, community center, bike share hub, and much more within a 5 minute walk (At most) from Lafayette and Grant.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm happy for Lovejoy, Fillmore, and the EV; but in the spirit of triage, I just see other areas more in need than EV at this time, which is doing fantastically on it's own.
Now, when will Riverside/Black Rock get some City Hall loving? I'll bet it's close to never, mainly due to a couple of "problems" I see with RS/BR, one of which are far "out-there" ideas for what they want done. The Community groups there are talking about removing the 190 as their first priority. Remove the 190? Come on... Once RS/BR pull their heads out of the clouds, City Hall will take them seriously. The other issue is that voting in those two neighborhoods is dismal. At best, there's a 7% turnout, in a presidential election. The only politician willing to listen to concerns is Golombeck. Nobody else will until more than 7% vote, which would post a threat if the politico didn't listen.
One thing I'm liking thus far, is the fact that bicycle lanes are getting a focus, but primarily that the neighborhood itself was involved in the determination of what to do. Far too often, City Hall has been on it's own when determining the direction a neighborhood should take, or scumbags like Carl Paladino call the shots for whatever might get investment from the City.
The community in Lovejoy wanted to work on their commercial district, so that's where the focus is. Brown also said there's going to be similar projects in Elmwood Village and the Filmore district.
I'm not sure why these areas got priority, I'm sure there was some cronyism involved here, to be sure. Can't have anything done in politics without that. But, if it were me? I'd have slotted Grant St area first, since any improvement there is likely to improve on EV, due only to proximity. In fact, Grant St. is already looking to get spillover from EV. Take a ride down Grant St, between Forest and Ferry. Park your car at Lafayette and Grant, and just watch for a few minutes.
They've got an art gallery, coffee shop, community center, bike share hub, and much more within a 5 minute walk (At most) from Lafayette and Grant.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm happy for Lovejoy, Fillmore, and the EV; but in the spirit of triage, I just see other areas more in need than EV at this time, which is doing fantastically on it's own.
Now, when will Riverside/Black Rock get some City Hall loving? I'll bet it's close to never, mainly due to a couple of "problems" I see with RS/BR, one of which are far "out-there" ideas for what they want done. The Community groups there are talking about removing the 190 as their first priority. Remove the 190? Come on... Once RS/BR pull their heads out of the clouds, City Hall will take them seriously. The other issue is that voting in those two neighborhoods is dismal. At best, there's a 7% turnout, in a presidential election. The only politician willing to listen to concerns is Golombeck. Nobody else will until more than 7% vote, which would post a threat if the politico didn't listen.
Monday, August 13, 2012
To Romney: Thanks For the Election
So, Romney picked Ryan as his VP pick. About the only thing I've got to say: Thanks for the election Romney!
He just had to pick the most radical of all GOP'ers (Well, short of Bachmann, but Ryan's close). Romney: Did you really think that picking a person who wanted to kill Medicare was a good idea? Did you forget which group reliably comes out to vote, at every election?
This of course, comes after Romney is begging to keep his business record off-limits. Except, Romney, you keep bringing up your business record as a reason why people should vote for you! You can't have it both ways here.
So, Romney's team basically just handed Obama 2012. Not saying we can all sit back, and let it happen, as you can bet another "Show me your birth certificate" will pop up, or something. Maybe a new one, where Obama is a sworn-in Weatherman or something. Who knows.
What we do know? Unemployment is dropping. GDP is growing. DJI is doing well. By all measures, we're getting better. And, Romney, nor Ryan, can dispute that.
He just had to pick the most radical of all GOP'ers (Well, short of Bachmann, but Ryan's close). Romney: Did you really think that picking a person who wanted to kill Medicare was a good idea? Did you forget which group reliably comes out to vote, at every election?
This of course, comes after Romney is begging to keep his business record off-limits. Except, Romney, you keep bringing up your business record as a reason why people should vote for you! You can't have it both ways here.
So, Romney's team basically just handed Obama 2012. Not saying we can all sit back, and let it happen, as you can bet another "Show me your birth certificate" will pop up, or something. Maybe a new one, where Obama is a sworn-in Weatherman or something. Who knows.
What we do know? Unemployment is dropping. GDP is growing. DJI is doing well. By all measures, we're getting better. And, Romney, nor Ryan, can dispute that.
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