New York State Stupidity…Again
It is no secret that we find ourselves in the midst of tough economic times in the United States. Unemployment rates are up and down like a toilet seat in a co-ed bathroom. Many people, especially unions, are up in arms because of outsourcing. More and more we see jobs being shipped overseas. Companies shut down, and move across a border, or overseas, where labor is cheaper. State after state after state offer various incentive packages and tax breaks to companies who decide to stay put, or expand. Millions of dollars are available for some companies as long as they’re willing to expand and employ local people.
Stack on top of this the fact that car manufacturers in the United States are cutting back and laying workers off as car sales plummet. The reason for falling car sales…high gas prices. It’s hard to believe we get excited when gas prices dip below $4 a gallon. One of the main Presidential election platforms touts the fact that we in the United States must get off our dependency on foreign oil. The nation is held captive by both big oil, and foreign oil when it comes to high gas prices. It’s also amazing to think that the U.S., while we’re running billions of dollars in the red, continues to hand out money to foreign countries like it’s nothing more than Monopoly money. And, on top of that, we export a large amount of our own oil to other countries!
But, when it comes to stupidity, I think New York State holds the corner on the market for that label. Gas prices are already sky high in New York State, well above the national average, because of high taxes. Yes, politicians in New York State recognize this as an issue, but many in Albany refuse to budge and do anything about it. Some New York State politicians are doing their best to stop the outsourcing of jobs, but is it enough. It’s no secret that young people leave the State simply because of lack of jobs, and high taxes.
Now, just when you thought outsourcing in New York State could get no worse, New York State regulators have decided to outsource electricity to Spain! That’s right folks, if everything goes through, instead of paying the utility bill in U.S. dollars, New Yorkers may soon find themselves using Pesos.
New York State regulators have given the Spanish company, Iberdrola, the go-ahead to buy Energy East, the parent company of both Rochester Gas & Electric and New York State Electric and Gas. New York’s Public Service Commission voted 4-0 to approve the $4.6 billion dollar deal. Energy East owns RG&E and NYSEG, as well as power companies in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Regulators in each of those states have already approved the takeover by Iberdrola.
Initially PSC staff in New York opposed the buyout because of concerns about whether it was in the public interest to do so. But, for some reason, they changed their mind about the buyout. All I have to say is — Why would they think this is a good idea!? — Why are we now outsourcing the ownership of New York State utilities to a Spanish company? This simply makes no sense. Could it be New York State caved into pressure from other States? Could it be New York State became fascinated with what appears to be a quick-buck?
Whatever the case may be, the sale of New York State utilities to a Spanish company is simply crazy! On the surface it might look like a good idea, but I believe this is another case of outsourcing at its worse. It’s also another classic example of the government trying to pull the wool over our eyes. Why is this deal sliding under the radar? If New Yorkers need something to get excited about and upset about, this sale of New York State owned utilities to a Spanish company should make everyone sit up and speak up.
Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus
