Quoted from bumblethru: Just like there is no such thing as a liberal rep/con.
Liberal and conservative are political ideologies. Democrat and Republican are political parties.
There are many liberal Republicans. We refer to them as RINOs (Republican in name only). Several RINOS right here in local government.
As for conservative Democrats, I believe that, though they once existed, they have become extinct. The last sightings of these "bluedog Democrats" were in the south. They were hunted by the liberal/socialists in Congress and in the Obama administration. Haven't been seen since the vote to reform the health insurance industry.
The suggestion that there is such a thing as a liberal conservative it nothing more than someone who doesn't have firm convictions of one's beliefs. I don't even believe that you can be a fiscal conservative and a social liberal because the money to support the social programs must come from the government seizing private wealth.
Liberal and conservative are political ideologies. Democrat and Republican are political parties.
There are many liberal Republicans. We refer to them as RINOs (Republican in name only). Several RINOS right here in local government.
As for conservative Democrats, I believe that, though they once existed, they have become extinct. The last sightings of these "bluedog Democrats" were in the south. They were hunted by the liberal/socialists in Congress and in the Obama administration. Haven't been seen since the vote to reform the health insurance industry.
The suggestion that there is such a thing as a liberal conservative it nothing more than someone who doesn't have firm convictions of one's beliefs. I don't even believe that you can be a fiscal conservative and a social liberal because the money to support the social programs must come from the government seizing private wealth.
we are in the midst of a shakedown.....sow up your pockets and stop paying the credit cards.......although the pensions/401k's and likes will suffer their bottom line....maybe we should think about that 'fast money' attitude that got us here---DEMS/REPS like it......
My opinion is for both parties to----GET OUT OF MY LIFE AND OFF MY BACK.....who keeps inviting them to the picnics????
...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
County Republicans look for identity Reeling from a defection, the GOP in Schenectady County is losing ground
By LAUREN STANFORTH, Staff writer First published in print: Monday, January 4, 2010
The defection Thursday of one of the few remaining Republicans left on the Schenectady County Legislature is raising eyebrows about the party's health there -- particularly after Democrats did well in Rotterdam's elections in November.
Angelo Santabarbara, who represented Rotterdam for the last two years, announced on New Year's Eve that he's becoming a Democrat - leaving only Bob Farley, state Sen. Hugh Farley's son, and former congressional candidate Jim Buhrmaster to hold the Republican reins out of a total of 15 legislators. Democrat Holly Vellano also recently won a County Legislature seat that was held by Republican Joseph Surhada. However, Vellano also has been allied with Conservatives.
Buhrmaster, who served alongside six other Republicans when he was first elected to the County Legislature in 2004, said that despite wins in Glenville this past election, county Republicans have lost their way. "They've got to sit down and take a look. A lot of the party strength has come from Rotterdam and Rotterdam right now is very much divided," said Buhrmaster, of Glenville.
The party suffered a painful fracture last year when conservative Republicans started the No New Tax Party in Rotterdam. That party drew nearly 18 percent of votes, resulting in Democratic wins for supervisor and two Town Board seats. Also, Republican committees are practically nonexistent in Niskayuna and the city of Schenectady,
County Republican chairman Tom Buchanan said the fissure in Rotterdam is just a local reflection of the national division between ultra-conservatives and moderate Republicans. The No New Tax Party was largely founded as a protest to the Republican administration's idea of a new tax district to pay for ambulance service in Rotterdam.
Buchanan said county leadership will have to decide whether to ally with the No New Tax Party, or chart a new course. Buchanan said he would pick the second choice.
"They can spoil any race, but they can't win one of their own," Buchanan said.
Brian McGarry, one of the No New Tax Party's founding members, said his group will recruit more candidates for other Schenectady County municipal elections this year. However, he also wants to work cooperatively with the Republican party.
"I'm not casting any dispersions on the Republican party right now. But we don't want this movement to be an idol flash in the pan kind of thing," said McGarry, who ran unsuccessfully on the No New Tax Party line in November for Rotterdam supervisor.
As for Santabarbara's move to the Democratic party, Buchanan said the No New Tax Party threatened to campaign against Santabarbara in the next election. Santabarbara, however, denied the claim, adding that he doesn't face reelection until 2011.
"I worked well with (Democrats) on particular legislation. They treated me well and at this point I'd like to be part of the process," Santabarbara said............>>>>...........>>>>..............Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/AspS.....4/2010#ixzz0be333gRM
County Republican chairman Tom Buchanan said the fissure in Rotterdam is just a local reflection of the national division between ultra-conservatives and moderate Republicans. The No New Tax Party was largely founded as a protest to the Republican administration's idea of a new tax district to pay for ambulance service in Rotterdam.
Buchanan said county leadership will have to decide whether to ally with the No New Tax Party, or chart a new course. Buchanan said he would pick the second choice.
Buchanan remains in denial. Further, the "ultra-conservatives" (i.e., Tea Party supporters) to which he refers have greater public support than the Republican party according to numerous polls. They also have greater organizational support than the Republican party in the local area. He needs the No New Tax Party more than they need him. Under Buchanan's tenure, many good and involved Republicans have left the party to become enrolled Conservatives, Democrats (in Santabarbara's case) or blanks (i.e., unaffiliated with a party)
Quoted Text
As for Santabarbara's move to the Democratic party, Buchanan said the No New Tax Party threatened to campaign against Santabarbara in the next election. Santabarbara, however, denied the claim, adding that he doesn't face reelection until 2011.
Buchanan's statement, denied by Santabarbara himself, is another sign of denial and Buchanan's unwillingness to accept that he is the reason that many are abandoning ship. If, indeed, Santabarbara changed party because he was concerned that he might not be reelected because of opposition from the right, that makes him both a Benedict Arnold AND an Arlen Spector, placing his own personal interests in a political career ahead of both his (advertised) principles and those who elected him.
Buchanan must resign (in disgrace) or be removed from the party leadership by the few remaining enrolled Republicans who are active in the committee. His arrogance and ineptitude in political affairs is unparalleled. Where is the State Republican party? Will they sit idly by and watch as the Schenectady County organization becomes defunct?
Buchanan said county leadership will have to decide whether to ally with the No New Tax Party, or chart a new course. Buchanan said he would pick the second choice.
What makes Buchanan believe that those of us in the No New Tax Party want to ally with him? Personally, I have great interest in seeing the Republican party rebuild and to present an alternative to the liberal tax-and-spend policies of the Democrat party. But, I see no continued role for Buchanan in the party leadership. Nor, do many other Republicans, some of who are seated in the committee, with who I have recently spoken.
"They can spoil any race but can't win one on there own?"-LOL-Is he talking about himself? Why would the NNTP, which had a great opening, align with him? They fill a vaccum caused by the REP implosion.
Stop "frying fish" and take it. The State GOP has had enough of this circus.
My friends at the center tell me Mr Griesemer is the person that he REPS would like to take over the party. Mr. Tomassone, Parisi and Mertz all agree on this one. I hear Mr Griesemer is waiting for the axe to fall and then will assume a more upfront role in the Party instead of the behind the scenes cut throat he has been doing for Steve the last 4 years.
Stay tuned for this one to play out. Another Art Brassard play here. Mr DeGeorgio also is looming as having a larger political agenda now that he has been fired by the new administration.
Quoted frm Peeper: I hear Mr Griesemer is waiting for the axe to fall
Peeper,
Who holds that axe? Will the Republicans who switched enrollment to Conservative to work w/ KR return to the Republican party if the changes that you suggest occur?
While it is always possible, I believe it highly unlikely that the ultra-conservative wing of the party will ever become dominant in the Republican Party. For one thing, some of their ideology offends mainstream Republicans -- believe it or not there are moderate republicans who maybe conservative fiscally and liberal socially. ultra-conservatives do not like these types of republicans, who happen to comprise the bulk of the party. to ultra-conservatives, there is no big tent --- it is their way or the highway, and because of this they will hurt themselves in the long run.
for any party to succeed in america at the national level, it must remain in the center --- it is goes too far either way, it can derail.
the tea bag party is a fringe group --- all sound and fury signifying nothing -- it will dissolve into the ether as did the No New Tax Party .
Buchanan must resign (in disgrace) or be removed from the party leadership by the few remaining enrolled Republicans who are active in the committee. His arrogance and ineptitude in political affairs is unparalleled. Where is the State Republican party? Will they sit idly by and watch as the Schenectady County organization becomes defunct?
Finally, the unvarnished truth. There is no functioning REP committee-when is the last year the FULL County Committee met?
While it is always possible, I believe it highly unlikely that the ultra-conservative wing of the party will ever become dominant in the Republican Party. For one thing, some of their ideology offends mainstream Republicans -- believe it or not there are moderate republicans who maybe conservative fiscally and liberal socially. ultra-conservatives do not like these types of republicans, who happen to comprise the bulk of the party. to ultra-conservatives, there is no big tent --- it is their way or the highway, and because of this they will hurt themselves in the long run.
for any party to succeed in america at the national level, it must remain in the center --- it is goes too far either way, it can derail.
the tea bag party is a fringe group --- all sound and fury signifying nothing -- it will dissolve into the ether as did the No New Tax Party .
I believe you're wrong about people wanting ultra conservatives to run the Rep party, how about just plain old conservative people who believe in smaller government, fiscal responsibility, lower taxes and not pandering street walkers to the lobbyists and special interest groups. You know the good old fashioned values of honesty, integrity, and responsibility to follow the wishes of their constituents who elected them instead of the will of the party.
Quoted from Smoking Bananas: While it is always possible, I believe it highly unlikely that the ultra-conservative wing of the party will ever become dominant in the Republican Party. For one thing, some of their ideology offends mainstream Republicans -- believe it or not there are moderate republicans who maybe conservative fiscally and liberal socially. ultra-conservatives do not like these types of republicans, who happen to comprise the bulk of the party. to ultra-conservatives, there is no big tent --- it is their way or the highway, and because of this they will hurt themselves in the long run.
First, anyone who is to the right of you is not an "ultra-conservative". Nice try at labeling the No New Tax Party candidates as such. However, we are more what Shadow describes as "plain old conservative people who believe in smaller government, fiscal responsibility, lower taxes" and who possess "good old fashioned values of honesty, integrity, and responsibility to follow the wishes of their constituents".
Secondly, can you explain how one can be fiscally conservative and socially liberal? Who will pay for the social programs? I can accept fiscally conservative and socially libertarian, but not socially liberal.
Please tell me what George has done for me, especially as I pay more in tolls on my way to work this morning? I have carried petitions for Republican signatures for him and I have had people absolutely not willing to sign for him. No one has ever refused me for Senator Farley.
I am sincerely asking for George's accomplishments. I have no response for people when they won't sign a petition. I'm not a fan of his either. Please enlighten me.
My "new" friends at the Sr Center tell me Mr Amedore would have flipped but Mr Guiderelli who is related somehow to Mr Amedore wont't let this happen. Just gossip I think.
Logged
"They can spoil any race but can't win one on there own?"-LOL-Is he talking about himself? 
