Time to dust off the cobwebs...

Its been over a year since I have posted to my blog. The denouement of the 2008 Election and other personal matters drew my time and attention away from political issues during 2009. Until this morning. The announcement of Governor Patterson's plan to close the medium-security State Correctional Facility in Ogdensburg hit home.

I realize that our state finances are in a state of disrepair. I realize that the Governor faces some tough choices, and therefore, must make some tough decisions.

But how much more does he think this already-depressed area can take?

With the closing of the GM plant, reductions at ALCOA, and little Small Town businesses that are having to lay-off, scale back, or shut down altogether, can we absorb another huge loss such as this? The cut to school aid has already affected at least one local district who laid-off a handful of personnel yesterday.

“This is not a budget of choice; this is a budget of necessity,” Mr. Paterson said (nytimes). Well, necessity = shit on my menu, and that's what we're being served for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I imagine those in Albany thinking: If there are cuts to be made, let's sock it to those poor bastards in the top half of the state. We give them shit pies all the time and they let us get away with it, so they must like the shit we give them...let's give them some more!

I think the adage "shit flows downhill" needs to be changed to "shit flows Upstate."

In order to change this, we must act. Grassroots, people. Buses to Albany. Ten letters a day to our representatives. Phone calls. Emails. Interviews. Our North Country Voice needs to be HEARD.

As I am a huge believer in knowing what you are talking about, I recommend clicking the link below and reading the Official NYS Budget before you take steps to contact your representatives in Albany. (which I, admittedly, have not yet done, but will.)

I expect to see Small Town America's old friend Assemblywoman Addie Russell at the forefront of this fight. Now's your chance, woman. Take it and run with it.

Official NYS Budget site: http://www.budget.state.ny.us/

Merry Christmas, America

Kudos to me....lol

I'm not normally one to toot my own horn, but I will say that I was the first NNY blog to break the news about Caroline Kennedy being interested in Hillary's Senate position:

Friday, November 21, 2008
BREAKING NEWS......

OK, so we know Junior Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton from New York. But what do we think about Junior Senator William Jefferson Clinton from New York?

The rumor mill is running full bore with this tidbit--he may snag Hill's vacant spot for himself. Could Bill make his own way back to Washington after all?

Word has it that there are several biggies that covet this position, including RFK Jr and Andrew Cuomo, that Bill would have to contend with. Perhaps even Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg.

Chuck Schumer will mostly likely be the biggest anti-Bill voice--why would he want to be the senior Senator to someone, well, more "senior" than himself? And we're not talking age...

Its all about ego, folks.
Posted by SmallTownAmerica at 8:49 PM

Governor Paterson is keeping his cards close to his chest on this one, but did have this to say:

"I'm looking for someone that will inspire other people, who is a steadfast, disciplined worker, who has knowledge of the state, who is one that sees the imagination as being more important in history and probably favors hope over experience,” said Paterson.

Now, who more closely embodies these qualities than the remaining child of Camelot?

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!

Gas Price Check..

I never thought I'd see the day again when gas was below $2/gal!

National average: $1.868

In Waddington:
Sharlow's: $1.99
Kunoco: $2.02

Anyone else below 2 bucks?

Invitation to NNY Bloggers...

You will notice a Red Kettle to benefit the Salvation Army at the top of my page.

I ask you, Danger Democrat, Political IV, Abaycircus, Foil Hats Unite, Lefty Limericks, and all others to join me in this most worthy cause this holiday season.

Please, email me at smalltownamerica@earthlink.net for the html code for the top of your blogs and join my Red Kettle Team.

This is a true opportunity for us to push partisanship to the side and join together for a cause much greater than ourselves.

I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.

Thank you,
Small Town America

BREAKING NEWS......

OK, so we know Junior Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton from New York.

But what do we think about Junior Senator William Jefferson Clinton from New York?

The rumor mill is running full bore with this tidbit--he may snag Hill's vacant spot for himself. Could Bill make his own way back to Washington after all?

Word has it that there are several biggies that covet this position, including RFK Jr and Andrew Cuomo, that Bill would have to contend with. Perhaps even Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg.

Chuck Schumer will mostly likely be the biggest anti-Bill voice--why would he want to be the senior Senator to someone, well, more "senior" than himself? And we're not talking age...

Its all about ego, folks.

The Electoral College: Yea or Nay?

Before I took a political science class in college, I had little understanding of the Electoral College and even less knowledge of how it came to be. The information startled me, and dimmed my bright perception of our founding fathers.

What is your opinion of the Electoral College? Should we keep it? Or should we encourage our representatives to ditch the antiquated system?

I have an opinion, I'll let you voice yours first...