For better or worse America was founded upon the principle of constant change. Whether it's freedom of speech, the right to a representative government, opportunity for all to own property if they choose, the right to vote, religious freedom, the right to assemble, the right to bear arms and even the right to travel freely within the country; these principles and rights were at the very essence why the colonists broke from Europe.
Far all its faults, inconsistencies and inadequacies we still live in the greatest country ever founded. We have as our foundation extremely powerful ideals and living documents. These include but are not exclusive to The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution and The Bill of Rights. The founding fathers created these documents not only to declare a change to their world but also to provide a foundation of change for future unforeseen problems and crises. We underwent change during the Revolutionary War when we realized that we couldn't win without the aid of France. We underwent change during the formation of our central government which has led to constant conflict between federal and states rights; a battle that exists to this day. The Spanish-American War provided another avenue for change and expansion. The Civil War, World War I, The Great Depression, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and now the Second Great Depression have created both positive and negative changes in this country. These include the Abolition of Slavery, Wounded Knee, the Women's right to vote, the New Deal, the economic and social movements of the Sixties, the moon landing, Watergate, tearing down the Berlin Wall, the destruction of the U.S.S.R., the tightening of rights and freedoms in America, the explosion of the information age and the influx of China and India as the future economic and political powers.
As we rapidly approach the November elections the realization has set in that change in the political makeup of New York State is imperative. The situation we face in our state government mirrors what is happening at the federal level. WE HAVE NO LEADERS, only self-serving individuals that rely on political pablum and sound bytes to get elected. There if absolutely no focus on the future direction our state government will take. There is no one with the foresight to lead this state to moral, ethical, economic and political progress to bring prosperity back to this state. We have no one with the courage to say enough is enough. We are headed for economic disaster and the only way the Legislative Democrats seem to be able to solve the problem is to increase old taxes and try to institute new ones. The Legislative Republicans are no better as they offer no viable solutions to rectify our problems. Their only solution is to say no. There is absolutely no co-operative thinking between the parties. There exists only an adversarial atmosphere between the parties. Another disturbing fact is that the Democrats hold the Governor's office, the majority in the Assembly and the Senate and they still couldn't pass a budget on time. You can't get any more dysfunctional than this.
For better or worse the time for change in the New York political structure is now. It,s time for the people to throw off the shackles of an obstructionist government and take back the power. We must find and elect leaders who are not afraid to represent the majority of the electorate instead of acting like prostitutes to satisfy their money supply. We must elect leaders that will realize higher taxes only drive small businesses away. Tax breaks to large corporations are only made up on the backs of the people. Issue driven politics are short-sighted solutions with no long range plans or goals. Increasing budget deficits only serve to decimate the economic stability of our state. Adhering to mandates handed down by the federal government are unconstitutional if we have no say in the parameters of said mandates. This is just another form of taxation without representation. Not having a balanced budget prepared and passed by April 1st is a direct violation of the New York State Constitution. We need leaders that realize government by the few and for the few is detrimental to all New Yorkers.
These changes are not only drastic but necessary to the survival of New York. Gone are the days of the status quo. Business as usual is not acceptable. The ineptitude of the present political and economic situation is awakening a sleeping giant. The people of New York have been hibernating too long. The arrogance of the present government is prodding the bear awake. We are rubbing the sleep from our eyes and starting to realize that the present situation stinks.
November is just around the corner and our lives depend on the outcome of these elections. The status quo is unacceptable but the choices in the legislative races offer no hope. It makes no difference if the Democrats remain or the Republicans win their respective offices. The same political climate will remain. An adversarial atmosphere will still exist. Communication and co-operation will cease to function and the only losers are the people.
The time for change is now and our politicians must be held accountable for their actions. Our representatives must adhere to the will of the majority. The people must not stand idly by and be trampled over by the political machine. The people must vocalize their desires and concerns. Silence is not acceptable anymore. Our destiny must be in our hands and not a faceless political system that is not looking out for our best interests, only theirs.
We must join together to create a new vision consistent with the precepts and principles embodied in our state constitution to guarantee that we preserve individual freedom, achieve economic solvency and acquire political stability to prosper in the future.
Ric Wells
Common Man
Wilton, N.Y.
I wrote this on July 4, 2010.
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