More information on a
FREE and INDEPENDENT
Upstate New York
We believe there is just overwhelming evidence
to support the notion that Upstate needs to form a new (51st)
state with a new constitution and new body of laws. We have so
many problems, yet so little political power that our ability to
"fix", what no longer works for us, is simply
nonexistent.
Now, we recognize that it's far too easy to blame all our
problems on others. Besides being "easy", it's unfair
as well. We have made mistakes, and lots of them! The problem is,
that under the current government, we have absolutely no chance
of "fixing" what's broken.
Now, many of you have discussed issues that are symptoms of our
problems, like high taxes, lack of "decent" jobs,
confusing over-lapping local governments, etc. Clearly, we need a
government focused on changing not only the symptoms, but rather
the root causes. Failure to do so will only guarantee continued
decline.
Let's briefly take a look at some of those "root
causes":
1. 61 senators and 150 assemblymen -- way too big and way
too much! Besides the cost of themselves and their staff, what do
they do? Well ... they concoct laws to regulate all facets of our
lives. There probably was a time when the state was prospering
and growing, and needed a large government to manage all the
problems that came with that growth. But do we really need such a
massive government to manage our decline? Along the same lines,
are we getting anything in return for their 38% pay raise?
2. Welfare -- Even West Virginia will get true welfare
reform, but will we? Nooo, sadly the downstate political machine
resists any attempts to institute meaningful welfare reform. So
we are saddled with a terribly expensive, inefficient system that
must be funded with local $'s.
3. Education -- We need to alter the system so that
"students" who have no interest in leaning are no
longer able to "steal" an education from those who
truly want one. Allowing gang members to flout authority and
assault other students and teachers must be stopped.
4. Local governments -- What can we say? What a mess!
Let's (with a new constitution) begin to concentrate power in our
county governments. After all, they are taxing authorities and at
the same time enormous service providers. With a concentration of
power, they could force the consolidation of lower level
governments.
5. Juvenile Justice system -- What justice? And what a
system!! Not a gang member out there worries about the penalties
he'll face in our juvenile justice system. There is no deterrent.
There is no justice. And consequently, the criminal activity
committed by youths is steadily increasing.
Please E-mail Us.