NYT: Mad as hell about NY’s crappy government (“blue on blue”)
BTW, NY is a very blue (Democrat) state. So much for that liberal paradise!—B.P.
Editorial
How to Vent About Albany
Published: April 12, 2008
Any New Yorker who is not furious at the mention of their state capital, Albany, has not been paying attention. There are the sex scandals that forced one governor out of office and prompted his replacement to confess more details of his own indiscretions than anyone wanted to hear. The state comptroller quit last year after pleading guilty to misusing public assets. This week an Assembly member was convicted of corruption and faces up to a decade in jail. Angry yet?
The place needs a thorough cleaning — a giant broom to sweep out the rascals, starting with the State Legislature. We are not in favor of term limits, but the idea gains currency when most people who get elected in New York State keep their seats until they retire, die or go to jail.
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New York, of course, needs more than a few new faces. The state goes begging for challengers who are genuinely committed to changing Albany’s corrupt ways. Candidates need to promise a real reform of the scandalous campaign finance system, including public financing. And they should pledge their support for a nonpartisan commission to draw legislative districts.
New Yorkers deserve to be mad as hell about Albany, and their best revenge is at the ballot box. All they need now is to find decent candidates.