Money Talks & Albany Listens

[clarencebunsen]

Want to make your voice heard in Albany, bring your checkbook.

For a price, state Senate Democrats offer insider access

www.uticaod.com/latestnews/x1447155570/For-a-price-NY-Senate-Dems-offer-insider-access

One day after Senate Democrats were harshly criticized for offering labor leaders insider access in exchange for $50,000 campaign contributions, the Democrats expanded the offer.

Senate Democrats will now also offer the special access to those lobbying for legislation and state taxpayer money for the environment, women's issues, lawyers and for the gay and lesbian community, the Buffalo News reported Thursday.

Pre-emptively, before someone finds it necessary to find similar instances featuring Republicans, I will stipulate that all politicians everywhere listen to those provide them financial support. I don't expect that to ever change.

I just find this episode especially unseemly. It certainly gives the appearance of votes for sale.

[dgriffin]

I will be voting against every single incumbent I see on the ballot, even if I like them. It's time to throw the cards up in the air. The result couldn't be worse than what we have.

[Clipper]

My sentiments exactly Dave. While I have not been dissatisfied with EVERY incumbent's performance, I am focusing intently on learning about ALL of the challengers, with every intention of making my choice from the challengers. It is definitely time to clean house and start over.

It is very sad that in the last three presidential elections were no real outstanding candidates to vote for. Wouldn't it be wonderful to find a good candidate with a solid, desirable and attainable platform to vote for? The last three elections have been a choice of disgusting jerk number one, or equally corrupt and disgusting jerk number two.

I chuckle when I envision the panic amongst lobbyists were they to awaken on the morning after an election to find that they are at ground zero, with zero "bought and paid for" office holders. LOL. Talk about "starting over", LOL.

Whether it be a better organized movement such as the tea party folks, minus the violent zealots, or a simple independent party organization, we are approaching a time when the big money politicians and big money parties need to be destroyed or defeated, and government brought back to a realistic group of HONEST middle class people.

It is very sad that the dream of government by the average citizen is next to impossible in a country where "grassroots campaign" has been replaced by "well financed" campaign, as the recipe for success.