WOW! NOT PARISI. GOOD ONE THOUGH. LIKE YOU ALL, I WAS JUST REPEATING WHAT I HEARD FROM SOME OF MY CLOSEST FAMILY & FRIENDS. YOU ALL SEEM TO HAVE A DIRECT LINE TO MERTZ. HOW ABOUT BRINING UP SOME OF THESE ITEMS TO TOMMASONE HIMSELF INSTEAD OF JUST TAKING "SOMEONES" WORD FOR IT ALL. I WAS JUST POINTING OUT WHAT I HEARD JUST LIKE YOU ALL DO AND IMMEDIATELY YOU ATTACK. THAT'S OK. TIME WILL TELL.
TO YOU ALL SEEM TO LISTEN TO ONLY A FEW PEOPLE AROUND YOU WHO BELIEVE AS YOU DO. CULT-LIKE CONDUCT ON THIS SITE IS TROUBLING TO THOSE OF US WHO HAVE FAMILY WORKING FOR THE TOWN, COUNTY, STATE WHILE YOU DEMEAN THEM ALL. IT WOULD BE TIME WELL-SPENT TO REACH OUT BEYOND YOUR MERTZ-NETWORK: CICERO, BUMBLE, GB, MICHAEL, AND FIGURE OUT YOU'RE HEARING ONE-SIDE HERE ON THIS SITE OR BY TALKING TO THE FOLLOWERS OF MERTZ. HE HAS LOST CREDIBILITY IN TOWN DUE TO HIS INTIMIDATION OF TOWN EMPLOYEES, TOMMASONE, COMMITTEE PEOPLE. YOU WON'T HEAR ABOUT MERTZ ACTIONS BECAUSE HE'S BECOME IRRELEVANT. MY WIFE & COUSIN REFER TO HIM AS "THE SAVAGE" AS HE MIMICS SUE IN HOW HE BEHAVES WITH THOSE WHO DISAGREE WITH HIM.
Cult Like? Perhaps you are not aware of the fact that we are speaking no differently than those who do not post to this message board. These are thoughts, opinions and discussions that go far and beyond this board.
And perhaps some of us have reached out beyond your so called 'mertz network' and still were not satisfied with the same old lip service. It is time that we all came up out from under the mud and started to smell some fresh air.
Perhaps mertz is irrelevant, but to imply that anyone who disagrees with him is like savage, than you are getting him confused with the other three. And may I also suggest that you go beyond the rep's committee people. (cult like if you ask me) They have an agenda and it just may not go as they planned this year.
And for those who don't like to hear about their friend or family politician being negatively talked about.....you all better grow some real thick skin...cause that's what you need if ya wanna play politics.
May I repeat.....all parties are compromised!!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Cult Like? Perhaps you are not aware of the fact that we are speaking no differently than those who do not post to this message board. These are thoughts, opinions and discussions that go far and beyond this board.
And perhaps some of us have reached out beyond your so called 'mertz network' and still were not satisfied with the same old lip service. It is time that we all came up out from under the mud and started to smell some fresh air.
Perhaps mertz is irrelevant, but to imply that anyone who disagrees with him is like savage, than you are getting him confused with the other three. And may I also suggest that you go beyond the rep's committee people. (cult like if you ask me) They have an agenda and it just may not go as they planned this year.
And for those who don't like to hear about their friend or family politician being negatively talked about.....you all better grow some real thick skin...cause that's what you need if ya wanna play politics.
May I repeat.....all parties are compromised!!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
As for the taxing districts and their 'fights for their piece'......remember---CONSOLIDATION CONSOLIDATION CONSOLIDATION........the dog and pony shows happening right now are a means to an end....and all parties involved are fighting for 'absolute power positions'......follow the $$ tracks/taxes/ legislation etc.........it's a web.......just who gets to be in the center will be interesting and very profitable for them......cesear was murdered on the senate floor........can anyone else hear that carnival music playing from the merry-go-round.......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
Now that I have disclosed my future plans to leave Schenectady County and perhaps New York State, I will weigh in on my perception of the political environment in this county. I apologize in advance for this lengthy post. This is my "swan song".
As I stated in a post in another forum thread, I recently expressed interest in and interviewed for the Republican party endorsement for District 4 Schenectady County Legislature. My interest was rooted in serving the residents of this county; there was no personal gain that motivated me as I am employed in a full-time career position in the private sector and do not own a company that will benefit from the award of government contracts. Having assumed responsibility for my future, I do not need a government pension for my retirement years, nor do I need a government employee health plan.
On that cold and wintry Saturday morning, there were many candidates being interviewed for town and county positions. The party committeemen and committeewoman were pleasant and professional. Each interview lasted between 15 minutes and 1/2 hour.
The questions were posed to me exclusively by Buchanan and Parisi. They did not pertain to my position on any issue, but rather focused on how much of my own money I would commit to the campaign and whether I would cede control of my campaign to Buchanan. To the latter question, I responded that I would demand to have the final say on any issues in my campaign as it would be my name that would be affected by those decisions. I was also asked if I would support the campaign of other Republican candidates if I did not receive the endorsement. I replied that I would support any candidate (Republican or Democrat) if he/she espoused conservative positions on the issues that are important to me and my friends, family and neighbors. I was told by Buchanan that I have a reputation of being opinionated and idealistic and was asked if I could be "pragmatic", compromising my position to achieve consensus. I responded that I would not compromise my ideals, values, and principles but that I realized that I would not always attain 100% of my goals; that setting the bar high and falling a bit short is better than having lackluster objectives.
I was confident in all of my replies to the questions asked. I was truthful in my responses to the questions asked of me. Despite not being offered the party endorsement, I am comfortable in the representation that I made.
Looking back, I believe that what the local Republican party leadership is searching for in a candidate is someone who will follow directions from above; to do as he or she is told. To "go along to get along" if you will. Candidates that receive the endorsements will not be allowed to run their own campaign or make their own decisions. I believe that there are back room deals being made between the "bosses" of the political parties that determine candidate endorsements. It is my assessment that it is such deals that cost John Mertz the support of the Republican party and the residents of the Town of Rotterdam an exceptional public servant.
I was asked if I thought that I could win a primary election for the endorsement of my own (Conservative) party. I responded that I would wage a hard fought campaign for the party endorsement with the intention to emerge victorious. I opined that I was unlikely to be awarded the endorsement of the Conservative party due to my involvement in efforts last year to affect needed change in the party leadership; an effort that failed to achieve its goals but that I continue to believe was necessary. I have no regrets.
As for the Democrats in county party politics, there are few that I trust, respect, or agree with. With the exception of Duanesburg Town Board member Jean Frisbee, former County Legislator Michael Eidens, Glenville Supervisor Frank Quinn, and Princetown Supervisor Nick Maura, I believe that the elected Democrats that I have observed are governing based on what will advance their own political objectives and the interests of their friends and campaign donors. I believe that the actions and decisions of the Democratic controlled Schenectady County Legislature are oppressive to the county residents. Ever increasing property taxes and endless wasteful spending will ultimately lead to the exodus of hard working wage earners, like myself, and entrepreneurs from the county. The result will be a smaller tax base due to decreasing property values and a lower standard of living. If the City of Schenectady and Schenectady County are to be revitalized, it will come as a result of decreased spending, lower taxes, stricter law enforcement, and elected leaders with integrity, honesty, and caring for their constituents needs.
It has been my belief that the Metroplex is "graft" that benefits funding recipients more than the county residents. The cited job creation figures appear inflated as reported by the NYS Comptroller's Office re: the Schenectady IDA. Although the Proctor's block is aesthetically more pleasing than in past years, the strip reminds me of a western movie set with facades with little or nothing behind them. Until and unless public revenues are invested in the creation of permanent and good paying jobs, the standard of living of those living in Schenectady County will not improve.
As for the other parties (Independence and Working Families), I don't have experience with or knowledge of either. I am told that both are dominated by union interests (Fire Fighters and Sheriffs unions). I hope that those who lead these parties do so based on principles and that they have not assumed control only to advance the interests of their union membership.
The above are my perceptions and experiences based on the past few years of my involvement in public affairs and those with whom I have come in contact. I am sharing these thoughts with you as I think that it is important that we continue to work to "form a more perfect union" and fight to protect our democracy. I have come to trust very few in government, having been betrayed by many. They know who they are. The experience has not impacted who I am as a person. My religious beliefs remain steadfast, my family commitment is unwavering, and my feeling that this country is the greatest nation in the world despite the corruption in government is never questioned.
My only wish is that those who become involved in public service do so with a genuine desire to serve others, not themselves. And, that each of us continues to hold our elected officials accountable for their words and deeds.
Sorry to hear that you're leaving the area Brad but what you say is absolutely true. The back room deals have got to stop and honesty and integrity are a must in our elected officials. As has been said b4 both parties have lost their values and the taxpayers needs are the furthest thing from their minds as all the elected officials care about is re-election. For these reasons I support term limits in all branches of government and if adopted would result in a great savings to the taxpayers because we wouldn't have to pay these elected officials pensions, health-care, and all the lulu's that they get paid. Being a public official in all branches of government should be a duty not a career and each official should only have to serve 1 term. Our elected officials have become nothing but leeches sucking the life out of the people who they are supposed to be serving.
I should provide one more detail in my above account.
In February, days after my interview, I was contacted by Mr. Buchanan requesting that I attend the Lincoln Birthday party fundraiser. I initially had intended to attend the even. I mailed my RSVP card and my party donation. Subsequently, I began to hear through "the grapevine" of some of the decisions being reached regarding endorsements and of some back room deals being made. On the day of the event, I notified the party event planners of my change of mind; that I would not be attending the event. I requested that my check be returned to me. Because the check had not been cashed or deposited at that time, I called my bank and placed a stop payment as I did not want to provide financial support to the Republican party.
In the future, I will provide financial support to CANDIDATES, but not to political parties. When doing the latter, the donor has no control over how the money will be spent and which candidate(s) it will benefit.
In summary, there is no news being reported here. Only an account of my unfilling and disillusioning experience in the political arena.
All parties run their candidates. The party runs the show. It is obvious with the dems. They are all just little puppets with 'the party' pulling the strings, running their campaigns and dictating their agendas. The only reason we notice it with the dems is because they are the majority in power. They are 'out there'. But clearly, ALL of the parties do it.
It has always been that way. And it wasn't such a bad way of doing things....way back when. Dems used to be 'real dems' and reps use to be 'real reps'. But today is a different story. Our political parties have become seriously compromised. They have ALL abandoned their original ideology. It is time for a REAL CHANGE! And 'we the people' must show that when we vote.
And I also will donate to a candidate I believe in.....but never to a party.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
As a final gift to my detractors, I am contemplating changing my party enrollment from Conservative to "blank". The Schenectady County Conservative party leadership is not one of disciplined ideology and clearly has been compromised. My association with the current ruling junta is not one that I wish to promote or continue. There are many who have become disillusioned with the Conservative party. As they leave the party tent, the Conservative endorsement will become irrelevant and unheralded by the major party candidates.
As a final gift to my detractors, I am contemplating changing my party enrollment from Conservative to "blank". The Schenectady County Conservative party leadership is not one of disciplined ideology and clearly has been compromised. My association with the current ruling junta is not one that I wish to promote or continue. There are many who have become disillusioned with the Conservative party. As they leave the party tent, the Conservative endorsement will become irrelevant and unheralded by the major party candidates.
Now your talking! I along with many others are registered blanks. Like I have stated before...there isn't one political party that deserves my loyalty. None of them clearly have no loyalties to the taxpayers.
And I'm sure the cons would like nothing better than to have all of their enrolled party members who don't 'go along' to get out of their flock.Just like every other party. It surely is the only way to deflate them. I mean how many are there...2000. Palleezzz....there are about 20,000 blanks!!!
And ya better get out now cause the dems will soon own the con party too. Or perhaps they already do.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
If Tedisco loses the 20th Congressional District race, there will be wholesale changes to the Republican party leadership starting with Schenectady County and Saratoga County. There is even talk that Michael Steele, the Chairman of the Republican National Committee may be replaced.
Change is needed. The 2010 elections are on the doorstep. The Republican party must find principled leaders with conservative values if it is to return to prominence. The good old boy network must be dismantled to make room for candidates with vision and integrity to take the reigns.
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