New York State Senate Shocker – Democrats Help Republican’s Re-Gain Majority

The New York State Senate experienced a bit of upheaval on the 8th of June – two New York State Senate Democrats, Pedro Espada Jr. of the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate of Queens, voted with the 30 Republican Senators to give control of the body back to the Senate Republicans. The Govenor, embattled Democrat David Patterson is fighting mad, with good reason , Espada, who has become “pro tempore” of the Senate, would replace Patterson, should something happen to the Governor.

The drama: The entire “coup” was done in the dark – Democrats turned off the lights and ran from the house – trying to stop the vote that would take their power – to no avail. The Democrats are calling the move “illegal”; however, the move had been planned for days, with meetings taking place between those Democrats who joined with Republicans in an attempt to form a bi-partisan force. There are several pending issues of concern including: returning power over municipal schools to the individual cities, a new pension level for New York’s largest employee unions and the former Senate Majority Leader, Malcolm Smiths, support of Gay Marriage – which has the Governor citing political motivation for the coup. The Media has dubbed the two Democrats who switched parties as “Renegades”, and the character assassination was priority number 1 over at CBS - outing ordinary mishaps involving the two Democrats in question (and by ordinary, nothing more or less than U.S. Senate or Congressional Democrats have done).

One of the most interesting aspect of this event is the parallel to the U.S. House Republican Revolt over the energy bill last summer, when House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi, cut the lights, and left the building in the dark, while Congressional members continued to debate off-shore oil drilling, , a move that eventually led to falling oil prices (speculators fears that off-shore drilling would become a reality moving pricing downward). It appears that when faced with any type of insurrections, Democrats shut out the lights and run – in a very “Keystone Cops” manner, leaving the Republican’s to go on about the business of the people.

The other angle here, is the power play against New York’s Governor Patterson, who in a video here on CBS, is obviously peeved - should the New York Senate remain in the hands of the Republican’s, the Governor would have little political clout in the Capital – given that he is not the most popular Governor in New York History, (given the make-up of the Up-State of New York as conservative), he now faces a Senate with members of his own party, giving the nod to the opposition.

Lastly, one has to wonder what prompted the “revolt” in the first place, was it purely political posturing, as suggested by the Governor, or was it the “writing on the wall” of embittered constitutes who are not as enamored by the current administration(s) – in other words, a career move prompted by a desire to maintain ones position. Most probably, given the non-lavish salary associated with the State Senate, it could very well be that those who took part in this “power grab”, did so in the interest of the People of New York.

CBC Video

NY Governor Paterson Concerned about Gossip over Clintons Replacement?

The AP is reporting that NY Governor Patterson would like less gossip regarding his selection of a replacement for Senator Hillary Clinton’s senate seat. Apparently, the Governor does not understand that politician’s are now in the same spotlight as Hollywood Celebs, possibly more so. The fact that Caroline Kennedy is actively seeking the spot has generated news and controversy since her name was mentioned - Kennedy, (the name alone is synonymous with gossip) the daughter of Jack Kennedy, Manhattan socialite and author, has keep a fairly low profile, (outside of the occasional mention in the tabloids or the press (Google articles date to 1961 forward) is a social celebrity in her own right, add dynastic political ambitions and one has a Super Celebrity – Social Celebrity plus Political Celebrity.

Apparently, Paterson missed the phenomena of Barack Obama and Sarah Palin in the past general election. Obama appeared clad in a bathing suit early in the campaign, while paparazzi recently chased him to Hawaii where one managed to get a “'Pec-tacular' Obama Shot” according to the Washington Post.

Meanwhile, Sarah Palin, the GOP’s Rock Star, continues to receive high Google searches (up to 49,200,000!), and stories regarding her daughters future mother-in-law is fodder for the tabloids and the Associated Press (which had the class to carry the story).

Suddenly politicians have adoring fans, and are front page news on both Tabloids and more “normal” news outlets. The publics insatiable desire to learn more about their favorite “star” is driving this phenomena – blame reality television, or the dummying down of America (the Teachers Union), and the politician’s themselves who court and are courted by daytime talk shows and the nighttime comedy – whatever combination of the aforementioned is responsible, the fact that dignity and competence are no longer a criteria for high office is becoming clear. Although politicians may use these mediums to communicate with the “Masses”, it is not without a price – Oprah and (pick a View Member) are more interested in what they are wearing, or where they are vacationing, than what they might intend to do once elected. The political message is lost as the popular culture cries out for more “beefcake shots” of the President-elect and more “scandalous” stories about his rivals. Caroline Kennedy will amass more speculation and Enquirer front page stories than Obama, and she most certainly must have been aware of the consequences, even if the Governor has been living under a rock.

Caroline Kennedy – Entitled to Clinton's NY Senate Seat - The American Class System and the Kennedy “Dynasty”

Caroline Kennedy and Barack Obama - Kansas.com

Caroline Kennedy’s is best known for being the daughter of President John F. Kennedy, and most recently, one of the people responsible for helping Barack Obama pick his vice-presidential nominee. Other than that, her resume leaves little to indicate that she is qualified for the office of Senator, other than the title: “Relative”. It goes without saying that the founders of this Republic did not intend our government to be a monarchy, (or a government run by a “ruling class”),rather a democracy where citizens are elected based on worth - not bloodlines.

The question then arises: “Do we have a “class system” in the United States?” The answer, according to progressive professors, is “yes”. In Robert E. Weir’s, “Class In America , the so-called American Class system is discussed in detail – from the First Estate (Mayflower Decedents, regardless of wealth) to the Second Estate (the Robber Barons’), families that garnered great wealth and influence in the United States during the late 18th and 19th century (Included: familiar names such as Roosevelt, Carnegie and Kennedy), followed by the Upper Middle Class (the elite who have amassed large sums of money), the Middle Class (those who hold a 4 year college degree and therefore, can consider themselves to be “elite”), the Lower Middle Class (those who do not hold a four-year degree – and are considered “blue collar workers”), the Lower Class (those with no discernible education and/or skills). The later two often referred to as “the masses”. Outside of the halls of “higher education”, this is not discussed in detail, or brought up at all. (The "masses" could not "handle the knowledge") The “fact” that this nonsense of a "ruling class”, made up of individuals such as the Kennedy’s, is preached at a Colleges and Universities across the nation by those Progressive professors who are wedded the theories of Karl Marx and company, boggles the mind. It follows, therefore, that this “theory” allows for a certain sense of “entitlement” from those who are members of an “upper class”, and the certainty of those “newly minted elite” who have been taught (and bought into the bunk) that this nonsense of class systems is “acceptable”.

Therefore, Caroline Kennedy, by virtue of nothing more than being part of the “ruling” class, is considered an acceptable substitute by those “elite” who would see the “dynasty” continue. (CNN) . That said, Comments posted to a recent Boston Herald article on the possibility of another Kennedy in the Senate are not favorable. Comments to the Western Massachusetts, Springfield Republican’s Politics forum (thread #77455) show like minded disgust at the thought of a political appointment based on nothing more than a family connection. The same is true ofDaily Kos commentors, who are disconcerted about the concept of an “inherited” legislative post. It is interesting to note that the negative comments are being made by those who would, in all likelihood, believe that our Constitution does not contain any reference to a particular brand of “class” that would govern, rather, that the government belongs to the populace.

It is a fact that New York State laws guiding the replacement of elected officials, offer nothing to prevent Caroline Kennedy from working with Governor Paterson to give her Senate Seat, however, it remains to be seen if he will make such an appointment.. Should Caroline Kennedy be chosen as the replacement for Hillary Clinton, in the Senate she will be required to campaign for re-election in 2010, likewise Paterson. Those who are in the position to ultimately decide both Kennedy’s and Paterson’s political futures are the New York state electorate. Therefore, regardless of entitlement, or any “perceived” progressive class system, the Republic of the United States and our system of democracy will continue to be the deciding factor in political contests.