Recent Comments
Re: “After marriage: the future of gay rights”
It's ENDA, not EDNA. That's my aunt.
Re: “Choosing a mayor in a challenging time”
Thoughtful, necessary and timely commentary. Thank you Mary Anna.
Re: “Brooks' busy week”
Speaking of Maggie Brooks--- it's amazing what a little paid media will do. Do you think it's a coincidence that the hard working people of Monroe County are getting closer to a contract? Do you think being a Congressional candidate has anything to do with the workers getting a temporary agreement? Just sayin.
And, while I'm at it, here's my two cents on the whole Brooks-Slaughter deal. Brooks is a candidate who has given her soul to the radical House GOP and now she is trying to rationalize or lie about her extreme positions to moderate Monroe County voters. She is really in a pickle.
And, despite what Maggie wants you to believe, our County Executive has already demonstrated that she won't stand with seniors to protect Medicare. She won't stand with women to protect choice. She won't stand with middle-class families against her own Party's draconian budget cuts.
But we do know this. Maggie Brooks is standing with billionaire oil moguls who are propping up the radical Tea Party movement and funding efforts to gut social safety net programs to fund tax cuts for the rich. That was clearly evidenced by her sitting ringside with David Koch at the RNC the other day.
If elected, Brooks will become a worthless pawn in the GOP chess game. She will have marching orders from Speaker Boehner and the likes of the Koch Brothers, and will not have the ability to truly represent the honest interests of the NY 25 Congressional electorate.
I was personally asked by local media reporters to comment about Speaker Boehner's visit to Rochester when he stopped by at a Maggie fundraiser earlier this month. No media outlets had the courage to air or print my response. They basically gave me a blank stare when I dropped this observation on them. It went something like this:
John Boehner came to Rochester for two things. One, to tell Maggie Brooks if she gets elected, he owns her vote. Two, her number two job as a Congress person would be to raise as much money as you can for the GOP House. That's it. Boehner’s visit was never about raising money for her campaign or speaking directly to the folks who live in Monroe County-- it was about putting Maggie in her place and making sure she knew what was expected of her.
It is inconceivable to think that Maggie Brooks could go to Washington and represent the interests of working people here in Monroe County-- far from it.
She has taken campaign contributions from the most extreme radical elements of the conservative right wing political machine. She has been incredibly vague about her policy positions too—explaining to anyone who will listen, “you know my record.” In fact, yes-- we do know you record, Maggie. It’s one that has afforded opportunities to those insulated from any financial harm and at the same time, has lowered the standard of living for everyone else here in Monroe County.
Truth be told, Maggie's hands are already bound-- she is totally in debt to these billionaire radical outliers and she has no other options but answer only to them-- she will never be able to vote on any bill that favors the middle class or the greater good. If you think otherwise, you are living in a fantasy world.
-Ove Overmyer
Re: “We didn't endorse Warren”
This behavior can be expected. As a matter of fact, the closer we get to Primary Day, expect more bombs and flame throwers to raise their ugly heads from the Primary challenger and David Gannt. Some Democrats don't know how to behave any other way. Makes me think of an old Molly Ivins quote: "The thing about democracy, beloveds, is that it is not neat, orderly, or quiet. It requires a certain relish for confusion." Hold your nose until September 10th.