In New York State political news, the Independence Party of Monroe County asked for the resignation of Rafael Colon from his chairman’s post. He agreed to the request, and has resigned. The Executive Committee of the County party asked for the resignation of Colon and his wife after reports surfaced that Jack Davis, the Democratic Congressional candidate for the 26th District, paid Blanca Colon $5,000 in consulting fees. On the surface one might say, “So what.” But, here’s the catch, According to Davis’ campaign manager, the goal of the payments had nothing to do with consulting. Instead, he readily admits that the Democratic candidate made the $5,000 payment with the sole goal of building relationships with Independence Party members.

In other words, mulit-millionaire Democratic candidate Jack Davis from the Rochester, New York area, readily admits he’s looking to buy votes.

Read on …

The Democrats want us to think they’re looking out for us when it comes to gas prices, but their actions certainly tell a different story. It’s been said that actions always speak louder than words. In this case, their actions are speaking loud and clear. The Democrats, whether it’s at the State level or the Federal level, really don’t care that we’re being gouged at the gas pumps.

In New York State, the state with the highest gas taxes of any state, the Democrats consistently vote down any kind of tax break on gas. Time and time again whenever it comes to either the Senate floor or the Assembly floor, New Yorkers can thank the Democrats for the high gas taxes because they vote down any measure to lessen the tax choke hold.

On the Federal level, once again we can thank the Democrats for consistently voting down a decrease in gas taxes. They also vote down any kind of expansion when it comes to drilling in the United States. Once again, we discover the Democrats really don’t care about the high gas prices. Now, in an even more interesting turn of events, we can thank the Democrats for telling Iraq to slow down on western oil contracts. That’s right folks, the very party that likes to scream the War on Terror is really a War About Oil has told the Iraqi government they need to slow down on oil production. The screaming left, that love to say President Bush lied and people died for oil instead of terror, are throwing up roadblocks which would increase oil production in Iraq. Of course an increase of oil production, would bring gas prices down simply because there would be more oil on the market. But no, the very politicians who love to scream that it’s all about oil, are telling Iraq not to supply oil.

Iraq wants to award no-bid deals to Western oil companies to help improve and increase oil production. But, the Democrats want nothing to do with that. At a recent news conference, Democratic Senators Charles Schumer, John Kerry and Clair McCaskill are all telling Iraq to slow down. Don’t do it! A few weeks ago it was announced that U.S. workers were planning to go into Iraq and help Iraq revamp the old oil production facilities, which would of course increase the oil supply. Updated facilities means more oil production. It’s simple economics folks, as supply goes up, price goes down. But no, thanks to the above mentioned Democratic Senators, that may not happen. These Democrats who say they’re looking out for us at the gas pumps even went as far as to call on Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to intervene in Iraqi oil. However, once again we discover some Democrats have no clue when it comes to the constitution as a State Department spokesman said the U.S. is not at liberty to interfere in matters of the Iraqis arranging contracts with outside sources.

So, the next time you hear that the price for a barrel of oil has hit yet another record high, you can thank the likes of Schumer, Kerry and McCaskill. The next time you hear that gas prices have hit yet another record high, you can say thanks to those Democratic leaders. The next time you have to decide whether you’ll buy a gallon of gas, or a gallon of milk, you can send a great big thank you note to Schumer, Kerry and McCaskill. While you’re at it, maybe you can ask them for a few extra bucks so you can buy both a gallon of gas and a gallon of milk.

Hey even better, the next time you head to the voting booth to pull that lever electing a Senator to office, maybe you should think twice and ask how much that vote will cost you in your gas tank.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus

In the continuing Rochester, New York Fast Ferry saga, we have yet another interesting turn of events. On the heels of rejecting two plans by companies looking to start a ferry service between Rochester, New York and Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Rochester Mayor Bob Duffy and the rest of his politically astute council buddies have instead given the green light for a nightclub/bar at the Port of Rochester. That’s right folks. It’s another example of your tax dollars hard at work in New York State.

From the beginning the whole fast ferry business out of Rochester has been a joke. Millions and millions of dollars were tossed at what was, for the most part, a sinking proposition from the get-go. Then when a pair of companies come up with a proposal to get the ferry running again, Rochester City Council says no. Instead, they decide to approve a nighclub/bar for the location! Amazing, now the millions of dollars spent using tax payers dollars, will support a place for alcohol and over-indulgence. This, on top of the fact that Mayor Bob Duffy has been doing nothing but whine about how he feels Rochester doesn’t get enough state money to balance the budget.

Here’s an idea Mayor Duffy. Maybe you should stop running to Albany every other day to beg for money, and spend more time trying to figure out how to balance your own budget. Green-lighting a bar is not the way to balance a budget. It’s simply a feeble attempt to fill space in a building venture that was taking on water from the beginning.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus

New York State lawmakers approved the rise in the maximum penalty for price gouging from $10,000 to $25,000. That’s in addition to restitution for aggrieved consumers. Has the price gouging penalty ever been used before you ask? Yes it has. The New York State Attorney General’s Office sued three gas stations in 2006 for increased prices of 25 to 72 percent immediately after Hurricane Katrina.

Imagine that, a penalty for price gouging. This New York State news came just ahead of the weekend news which said gas prices hit yet another high, breaking the $4 dollar a gallon nationwide average. Today economist Mark Zandi of Moodys-Economy-dot-com says there’s no end in sight to the price hikes. Zandi says, “We’ve gone from $3 dollars a gallon at the beginning of the year to now $4 dollars a gallon nationwide. If oil prices stay where they are, we’ll be at $4.50 a gallon by July 4th.” Meanwhile energy analyst Peter Beutel at Cameron Hanover says, “If this continues, it’s very possible that we’ll seen even $5 dollar a gallon gas before the summer is out.”

When will this madness stop? At some point the bubble has to burst here and gas prices will start to drop. Or will they? I always find it amazing that even when the cost for a barrel of oil goes down, gas prices seem to stay the same, or they keep going up. If that’s not price gouging I don’t know what is.

But here’s another amazing piece of information to keep in mind. While I do realize gas station price gouging can be a problem and that’s why New York State enacted the price gouging penalties. But, reality is this, gas stations make very little profit when it comes to selling gas. Who’s making the money? We know who and we’ve pointed at them many times before. It’s the big oil executives. They are the ones who are aggrieving consumers these days. But, time and time again, nothing happens to the monopoly known as big oil. Instead they keep spinning their web of lies and for whatever reason, politicians keep believing that they’re telling the truth.

Here’s an idea, maybe New York State, and any other State with similar laws about gas price gouging, should all file lawsuits against the monopoly known as big oil. Maybe then both the federal government, and big oil, will figure out that consumers are sick and tired of being held hostage by their big money making machine.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus

Still reeling from the former New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer scandal and his behind closed doors sex nights with a prostitute, it appears his second in command, and now Governor, David Paterson does things behind closed doors too. No, this has nothing to do with his extra-marital affair, while that too was done behind closed doors. This has to do with how the new Governor likes to lead. Actually, he’s not leading, instead he’s making a lot of decisions behind closed doors and then springing them unannounced.

It started with his budget, which was pretty much all planned behind closed doors with him and two other people. Then, after announcing the budget, Governor Paterson likes to go behind closed doors, cut things out of the approved budget, and then spring that on people. Behind closed doors he decided to cut the position of Upstate Economic Director. That after visiting the upstate area saying he’s in full support of discovering new ways to help the upstate economy. But, behind closed doors, it’s a different story. True to some concerns early on, it appears Governor Paterson is more concerned with New York City, which is where he’s from, than anywhere else in New York.

Now, in his latest behind closed doors decision, Governor Paterson decided to issue an edict saying all government agencies must recognize same sex marriages performed in other states. Constitutionally, New York State does not recognize same sex marriages. But, here we have a Governor ignoring the Constitution, and ignoring his role as Govenor to protect the Constitution. Instead, he made a behind closed door decision that says all New York State government agencies must recognize same sex marriages performed in other states. He made the ruling two weeks ago. Then just recently announced his decision, not in person, but on a videotape! He’s taking either a cowards way out to avoid backlash and discussion. Or, we should start calling him Dictator Governor Paterson. In a dictorship way, the Governor has decided he can make any decision he wants, and force it not only on legislators, but the people of New York State.

When will this outrage end? Maybe it’s time to make another change in the Constitution that allows for the recall of a Governor. New York State has a Governor who was not elected by the people. He’s now abusing his power, making behind closed door decisions, and then forcing them on the people of New York State.

Some say Governor Paterson is a kinder leader than Eliot Spitzer was. I for one am beginning to wonder if he’s really a wolf in sheeps clothing.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus

The former Attorney General of New York State and of course now the former Governor of New York State should be proud of himself. After being a bully on Wall Street and a sex addicted Governor who lost his position in disgrace, the Eliot Spitzer embarrassment hits Law & Order tonight. The long running NBC hit show has been known to air episodes that some would say are “ripped from the headlines.” The season finale set for tonight is no exception. The plot centers on a murder investigation which in turn leads police to a prostitution ring which counts the governor of New York as one of its clients. Of course who can forget that just a few months ago, former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer made headlines when he resigned after being identified by federal investigators as a client of a high-priced prostitution ring.

Of course Sam Waterson, who plays assistant D.A. Jack McCoy on the series said - quote - “I shouldn’t say we’re doing the Eliot Spitzer story. I should say we’re doing a story about a politician who gets into trouble because of sexual questions…involving prostitution.”

Whatever the case may be, the Spitzer story is pretty much the embarrassment of New York that just keeps on giving.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus

From the Your Tax Dollars Hard At Work Files comes yet another example of bad accounting when it comes to the government - especially the New York State government.

The New York Racing Association announced this week it’s closer to emerging from bankruptcy. NYRA holds the state’s franchise to run thoroughbred racing at Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga. The group said a federal judge approved its amended plan to pay back creditors. Just how will they pay the creditors back? Through a $150 million dollar state bailout! That’s right folks, the horse gambling industry in New York State was having money problems, so the New York State government decided to kick in $150 million dollars of taxpayers money to bail out an organization that encourages those with gambling addictions.

Did they have nothing better to do with the money? Hey, lets not forget this is the same state government that doesn’t even know how to balance a budget. When will the madness stop? When will someone step up and question such stupid spending. Of course this announcement comes at the same time New York State government is pondering suspending the gas tax in order to bring the price of gas down. But, some in this same government that so freely hands out money to help bail out a gambling organization are worried that suspending the fuel tax could create a hole in state finances.

I’ve got news for those in Albany, suspending the gas tax is the least of your worries when it comes to creating holes in your spending plan.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus

So, just how does one turn $40 into $400,000? The answer — do business with the City of Rochester, New York.

In the continuing saga known as the Fast Ferry business venture, which went down about as fast as the Titanic on open water, Maplestar, the company that ran the business into the ground and cost Rochester and New York State taxpayers millions of dollars, made yet another sweetheart of a deal with Rochester this week. Initially when the failed ferry service between Rochester, New York and Toronto, Ontario Canada got underway, Maplestar signed what everyone called a sweetheart of a deal with the city of Rochester. Take possession of the terminal at the Port of Rochester, have no costs for upkeep as Rochester will take care of all of that, and pay just a dollar a year, for 40 years. Wow! What a deal! A brand new building, no upkeep costs, and pay just a buck a year. Oh yes, Maplestar also collected any and all income from the terminal. In other words, Rochester reaped absolutly no financial benefit from the terminal!

When the ferry service went under, Maplestar held onto the lease. Once again, that’s pretty cool. Be the company that cost the City of Rochester millions of dollars, lose the fast ferry, but still keep the terminal for just a buck a year. This week that all changed though as the City of Rochester has taken possession of the terminal. How did they do this? They agreed to pay out the lease agreement with Maplestar. Now it doesn’t take a math genius to figure out if you’re going to buy out a lease deal that’s set at a dollar a year for 40 years, that means the buyout should be around $40. Right? Isn’t that how the math works?

Apparently not in Rochester!

Instead, the City of Rochester, which means the taxpayers of Rochester, will pay Maplestar $400,000 to get the lease and the building back. Wow! $40 dollars has turned into $400 thousand dollars!

It must be that new math.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus

It is no secret that gas prices keep going up, and up, and up, and up. Of course many government officials are trying to figure out how to bring the gas prices down and I’ve already addressed that issue in earlier blogs. Today I want to applaud some lawmakers, and also point out some flawed thinking of others.

First, lets give a round of applause to lawmakers who are trying to bring the prices down. Many are suggesting a suspension of gas taxes on both the federal and state levels. In New York State, Senator Joe Robach is the latest to call for such a suspension. The Senator is calling on New York State Governor David Patterson to suspend the state gas tax from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Senator Robach said such a suspension would take 33 cents off the current price of gas. Then, you link that with the seven cents of sales tax that’s already capped, consumers would instantly see a 40 cent savings at the pump. The Senator went on to say, “It will be immediate relief as the average car with an 18 gallon gas tank would save $7.20 on each fill up.”

I say, bring it on! That extra 7 bucks will be better spent by me than by the government.

Now, lets address some flawed thinking here.

Some are concerned that cutting the government tax portion of gas sales will effect how the government balances their books. They fear cutting taxes will mean less money for the government, and then they won’t be able to make ends meet. First off, when was the last time the government made ends meet? If normal people balanced their household budgets like the government balances their budget, power would be cut off, cars taken back and homes foreclosed on. Isn’t it amazing how that’s already going on, but even though the government has no clue on how to balance their books, no one puts them out of their homes.

Secondly, the only way cutting the gas tax could effect expected government revenue to make a budget work, is if government leaders were already in bed with the oil companies when making a budget. (Of course that may not be too far off the mark.) Lets think this through for a moment. The government sets the budget on projected income. However, unless they were in on the recent record breaking gas price mark up, there’s no way they could have planned for an unexpected winfall of income from gas tax money. In other words, unless government officials worked the budget with a projected gas tax on a $4 dollar, (or more) gallon of gas, they’re not losing out and do not have to fear a cut of the tax, cutting into their expected income.

Is the government effecting the high gas prices we’re seeing right now? To a certain extent yes, but it has nothing to do with the thought of lost revenue to make their budgets work. For some time now the federal government has stockpiled oil for future shortages. As a result, as they buy up oil to put away for a rainy day, the price of oil continues to go up because suddenly there’s a stockpile that’s not on the market. Could it be this line of thinking needs to head back to the drawing board? Maybe.

Whatever the case may be, we the consumer, are feeling the pinch at the pumps each and every day. But now the pinch is not only felt at the pumps, now we’re feeling it at the grocery store and pretty much every other aspect of life we can think of. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, it’s time to regulate the monopoly known as big oil companies and realize the only ones laughing all the way to the bank, are those lining their pockets at the top of the big oil companies. Could this be likened to an Enron scandal? Just a thought to make you say…”Hmmmmmm…”

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus

New York State legislators are working feverishly to bring in an on-time budget. It’s probably not going to happen though. The deadline is April 1st, and that of course is rapidly approaching. So, what’s taking so long? Some in leadership have been spending too much time with hookers than working on budget material.

In another interesting twist in As Albany Turns, the new Governor, David Paterson said over the weekend he’s finished talking about his sordid life and things he’s done. You know, things like extra-marital affairs, having the taxpayers PAY for his hotel night stays with his girlfriend, doing marijuana and cocaine. Little things like that.

Well I’m sorry Governor Paterson, but you’re the one who decided to air all of your past, so now it’s fair game. If you were concerned about how your faulty moral compass would effect your ability to lead, you should have thought of that before you decided to run for political office. You should have also thought of that before you decided to have a girlfriend on the side.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus