Here's my take on NY politics this week. The body of which will be posted on Capitol Confidential's open Friday thread.
It's often cited that in politics, perception is everything. Sometimes the doors of perception are altered by ideology, interests or perspective.
A new crusading AG is hot on the trail of 'shady' loan practices amongst it's own schools and out on the open range. Has any student not voluntarily made the choice or given no real alternative ? While this is common in regard to authority's practice in terms of taxation (you have two choices in terms of its payment - violent state threats or compliance), it might be a good first lesson in life to read the small print or act in one's own best interest, but after 13 years of statist control of one's consciousness, what is the incentive not to be borne cradle to grave by the papa Cuomo's of the world.
While the local AM talk guys are making a little noise about corporate welfare with regard to the Sematech deal, is it not corporate collectivism that permeates this perception ? The broken window fallacy so keen amongst the Keynsians they never account for the investment and hope that 300 mil represents for beleaguered families and small businesses not lucky enough to trade in nano-hope. But when you have to spruce things up in New York with an additional 2.9 bil, what's a couple hundred mil amongst Fort Orange Club buddies ?
Paris and London are great destinations. The average person in Warren or Delaware County might get there someday. How many of us could swing through and grab 20K and still not craft a bill that would be palatable for a Vietnam dodging Texan ? It takes a certain kind of elitist to keep going back to the shopping centers and keep a straight face.
When reporters and pols do the American Idol thing, let it stay in Vegas if you will. The Capitol steps should be the one place where outraged citizenry can still go and shout at the gilded halls of power. If the fourth estate has to follow it with pen and pad, is that so bad ?
Whatever irony may be present for the jet setting Steamroller and campaign finance reform, the bottom line is that SD29 and A575 would do more to open the process than how the loop holes will be sought after the money is naught. The complicit Supreme Court in the two party process has insured that the common man cannot run for office unless as a 'party' or they can afford to send Craig's list employees to prove support through a meaningless petition process whose consent amongst partisans is indeed a dubious challenge.