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  • 11/17/2022 1:43 PM | Anonymous

    Election Update as of Wednesday Night  by  Tom Reynolds

    On Wednesday night, in the House, both Fox and CNN give the Republicans 218 seats.  Therefore, they have the 218 needed for a majority.  Democrats have 210 per CNN and 211 per Fox so there are either 6 or 7 undecided races

    Note: In some cases they differ as to the % of total vote in.

    Uncalled races that are likely Republican victories and would bring Republicans to 219 (1 more than the majority.):

                In California 3rd, Republican leads by 8,900 votes with 59% in

    Races where the Republican leads and winning both takes the total to 221:

    • In Colorado 3rd, Republican Boebert leads by 1,100 votes with 99% in

    • In California 22nd, Republican leads by 4,000 votes with 50%-63% in

    Races where the Republican trails:

    • In California 13rd, Republican trails by 600 votes with 85% in

    • In California 47th, Republican trails by 6,900 votes with 88% in

    Races where Fox - but not CNN - called it for the Democrat

    • In Colorado 8th, Republican trails by 1,700 votes with 97% to 99% in.

  • 11/16/2022 1:20 PM | Anonymous

    Election Update as of Tuesday Night  by Tom Reynolds

    On Tuesday night, in the House, both Fox and CNN give the Republicans 217 seats.  Need 218 for a majority.

    Note: In some cases they differ as to the % of total vote in.

    Uncalled races that are likely Republican victories and would bring Republicans to 220 (2 more than the majority.):

    • In California 3rd, Republican leads by 10,300 votes with 57% in

    • In California 27th, Republican leads by 13,000 with 72% in

    • In California 45th, Republican leads by 14,000 with 83% in

    Races where the Republican leads and winning both takes the total to 222:

    • In 1 Colorado 3rd, Republican Boebert leads by 1,100 votes with 99% in

    • In California 22nd, Republican leads by 3,300 votes with 47%-63% in

    Races where the Republican trails but is close:

    • In Colorado 8th, Republican trails by 1,700 votes with 97% to 99% in.  

    • In California 13rd, Republican trails by 600 votes with 85% in

    • In California 47th, Republican trails by 3,700 votes with 84% in

    In 1 Alaska race, it is going to a second round of ranked voting since no one got 50%.  Two Republicans combined have 4,000 more 1st choice votes than the Democrat.  A 4th candidate Libertarian got 4,000 votes. 

    Under ranked voting, the 4th place candidate is eliminated and his votes are redistributed based on 2nd choice.  If still no winner, the 3rd place candidate is eliminated and his votes are redistributed based on 2nd choice.

  • 11/15/2022 12:18 PM | Anonymous

    Election Update as of Monday Night  by Tom Reynolds

    On Monday night, in the House, Fox gives the Republicans 217 seats and CNN gives them 214. Need 218 for a majority.

    The three races where CNN & Fox differ:

    • In 1 Arizona race, the Republican leads by 3,500 votes with 99% in. Fox but not CNN called it for the Republican.

    • In 1 NY race, the Republican leads by 4,000 with 98% in. Fox called it for the Republican but CNN did not.

    • In 1 Oregon race, the Republican leads by 7,500 with 99% in. Fox called it for the Republican but CNN did not.

    Uncalled races that are likely Republican victories and would bring Republicans to 219 (1 more than the majority.):

    In 1 California race, Republican leads by 10,000 votes with 53% in

    In 1 California race, Republican leads by 13,000 votes with 65% in

    Races where the Republican leads and winning both takes the total to 221:

    In 1 Colorado race, Republican Boebert leads by 1,100 votes with 99% in.

    In 1 California race, Republican leads by 3,000 votes with 54% in

    Races where the Republican trails but is close:

    In Colorado, 1 Republican trails by 1,700 votes with 99% in

    In California race, 1 Republican trails by 750 votes with 78% in

    In California race, 1 Republican trails by 3,000 votes with 80% in

    In 1 Alaska race, it is going to a second round of ranked voting by adding 2nd choices to the 1st place votes. Two Republicans have 7,000 more 1st choice votes than the Democrat but the 2nd choices are unknowable. Heavily Republican Alaska could end up with a Democrat Congressperson

    At best, the House ends with the Republicans holding a very small majority of only a few seats, ranging from 219 to 225.

    217 sure plus the 2 Republicans in California that have substantial leads would bring them to a majority of 219 (1 more than they need.)

    221 if they take the two seats they lead in.

    222 if they take Alaska

    225 if they take the 3 seats they closely trail

    As of Monday night, in the Senate, the Republicans have 49 seats and the Democrats 50, with one Georgia election going to a runoff in December.

    At best, the Senate ends in a tie with Kamala Harris breaking ties for the Democrats and Joe Manchin as a wild card on a few issues. Arizona’s Kristin Sinema has been an occasional wild card but with Democrat Kelly’s win in Arizona, she will probably be less likely to be a wild card.

    At worst, the Democrats have 51 votes and they won’t need Manchin’s votes and will probably try to change the filibuster rule. That could come back to bite them in just two years!

  • 11/14/2022 11:30 AM | Anonymous

    Election Analysis  by Tom Reynolds

    As of Sunday night, in the Senate, the Republicans have 49 seats and the Democrats 50, with one Georgia election going to a runoff in December.

    On Sunday night (11/14), in the House, the Republicans have 212 seats and need 6 more for a majority.

    • In 2 Arizona races Republicans lead – but just barely

    • In 1 Colorado race, Republican Boebert leads, but just barely

    • In 1 NY race, the Republican leads by 4,000 with 94% in.

    • In 1 Oregon race the Republican leads by 7,000 with 95% in.

    • In 10 California races, Republicans are ahead in 6 but it is very early in vote counting

    • In 1 Alaska race, it is going to a second round of ranked voting by adding 2nd choices to the 1st place votes.  Two Republicans have 7,000 more 1st choice votes than the Democrat but the 2nd choices are unknowable.  Heavily Republican Alaska could end up with a Democrat Congressperson

    So, at best, the Senate ends in a tie with Kamala Harris breaking ties for the Democrats and Joe Manchin as a wild card on a few issues.  Kristi Sinema has been an occasional wild card but with Democrat Kelly’s win in Arizona, she will probably be less likely to be a wild card.

    At best, the House ends with the Republicans holding a very small majority of only a few seats - and they could still end up in the minority.

    The Red Wave didn’t happen.

                                                    _____________

    Stegosaurus had a brain that weighed only a few ounces; the smallest in proportion to total body weight of any animal.  It’s not much of an overstatement to say that Stegosaurus would have voted for John Fetterman in Pennsylvania’s Senatorial election.  Fetterman had a post-stroke mental impairment and, in a time when crime is spiking, Fetterman’s history and positions on crime and punishment make AO-C look conservative.  How was a Fetterman victory possible?  Why did the Red Wave disappear

    According to both the Democrat and Republican Parties’ leadership, as well as the media, Donald Trump is responsible for the non-red wave in the election, since some Republican candidates he endorsed lost. Not mentioned are the Trump endorsements who won.  Also not mentioned are the number of candidates selected and funded by both parties’ leadership who also lost. 

    Trump being the cause of the ‘non-red’ wave may surprise you since none of the pre-election polls and none of the exit polls named Trump’s endorsement as an issue.  Crime, inflation, abortion, immigration, etc. all were mentioned as major issues influencing voters but Trump’s endorsement was missing from that list.  Did anyone hear: “I was going to vote for the Republican candidate until Trump endorsed him/her?

    Obviously, the political parties’ leadership and the media pundits better understand why the voters voted the way voters did - than the voters themselves. 

    Or are the leaders covering up their ineptitude by scapegoating Trump?

    We are also hearing from Republican leadership that it was the primaries that led to the non-red wave; it’s the voters’ fault for voting for the wrong candidates in the primaries.  The voters should leave it to the old-fashioned way of the party leadership making the selection in smoke filled rooms.

    Obviously, the Republican leadership does not subscribe to the management theory that, “The buck stops here.”

    The ‘Senate Leadership Fund’ is a Republican super PAC that was established in 2015 by allies of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.  The group’s purpose is “to build a Republican Senate majority.” Its president served as McConnell’s chief of staff from 1991 to 1997. From 1998 to 2000, he served as executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

    The Senate Leadership Fund brought in over $200 million in this election cycle.  Mitch McConnell is the primary force in where the money goes. 

    The ‘Congressional Leadership Fund is the House GOP super PAC aligned with Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.  In early October, it had $114 million on hand for the final weeks before the midterm elections,

    It’s easy to second-guess and say McConnell and McCarthy should have put more into some losing races and less into races that the Republican won easily…because they should have.  They are the experts – self proclaimed.  In an election where the overwhelming number of issues favored Republicans, it can definitely be said that, in total, they made too many wrong decisions.

    McConnell has been the Republican Senate leader for 16 years and in only 6 of them the Republicans held the majority. 

    McCarthy has been House Minority Leader for 4 years.  His two predecessors were John Boehner and Paul Ryan, both of whom are widely regarded as two of the Republicans worst leaders, ever.

    Will someone hand McConnell and McCarthy a sword on which they can fall!

  • 11/11/2022 9:56 PM | Anonymous

    New York Elections  by Tom Reynolds

    Because of very slow reporting in a few key states, it’s too early to comment on national elections. Expectations were artificially high and there is disappointment, but the results may yet be positive.

    Here in New York State…another statewide disaster for the 2nd Amendment but some legislative district successes.

    First, Lee Zeldin needs to be thanked for his terrific run for governor. He left nothing on the field and threw a scare into the Democrat machine. We must all remember his challenge to Hochul for her to complete the sentence: New York leads the nation in outmigration because…? (Which she never answered.)

    Mike Henry and Joe Pinion must also be thanked for lower visibility runs for Attorney General and U S Senator. They suffered from a lack of funding needed to get their name and message out.

    Zeldin, Henry and Pinion all spoke at SCOPE meetings on several occasions.

    The two most powerful 2nd Amendment haters in New York, Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitita James, won their elections. Expect that both will take it as a confirmation of their unconstitutional policies and they’ll continue them or even double down on them.

    Hochul’s laws are being challenged in court by various groups and individuals and, for the most part, the courts’ decisions have gone well for 2A. Judges have been very direct in ruling that Hochul’s laws have been openly unconstitutional and much of her Concealed Carry Improvement Act has been put on hold by the judges. That, of course, won’t stop her, since there is no punishment for passing unconstitutional laws, except at the ballot box.

    Which brings us to Letitia James, who will be defending all of Hochul’s laws. No matter how certifiably unconstitutional the laws are and how frank the judges are in their rulings, James will continue to appeal the decisions - on the taxpayer’s dime.

    James also has her own political agenda, which is to use her office against political opponents such as the NRA and Donald Trump. Those will undoubtably continue.

    New York has 26 Congressional seats (down from 27…New York State leads the nation in outmigration because…) They have all been redistricted. As of Thursday, Republicans won 10, Democrats won 15 and 1 (the 22nd in central NY) is undecided. In the 22nd, the Republican has a 4,000 vote lead with an estimated 15,000 votes uncounted. Four of the other Republican victories are flips; this is a pickup for Republicans with national significance.

    The most embarrassing House loss for the Democrats is 5 term Congressman Sean Murphy’s loss in the 17th district, since he was chair of the Democrat Congressional Campaign Committee.

    Redistricting is worth mentioning. Since the Democrats control all the political levers in NY, they were confident they could redistrict Republicans out of existence in New York, no matter how unconstitutional. They simply went too far believing that NY’s judiciary, which is almost all Democrat appointees at the Appeals level, would rubber stamp it. Surprise. The Democrats’ redistricting was too much and a judge ended up redoing it, which resulted in a fairer district map. Since control of the House of Representatives may come down to one or two races, the Democrats hubris could cost them control of the House of Representatives.

    The NY Assembly has 150 seats and is dominated by NY City. As of Thursday, there were 40 confirmed Republican victories and 13 races still undecided. Democrats predict they will have between 100 and 103 seats when finished; this would be a small pickup for Republicans. The Democrats will maintain their supermajority.

    In the NY Senate, Democrats had 43 of 63 seats. They claim to have won 40 seats with 2 undecided. They need 42 for a supermajority.

    Both legislatures need a supermajority to override a governor’s veto. With everything controlled by Democrats that is probably not a huge deal but it does give the Democrat legislature leverage when negotiating with the Democratic governor.

  • 11/08/2022 2:14 PM | Anonymous

    It’s Gonna Be A Great Week!  by Tom Reynolds

    Yesterday and Today could turn out to be a bad day for Kathy Hochul and the gun grabbers in NY State.

    Today

    Please call or text or email a friend and remind them to get out to vote. If we get out every single like-minded New Yorker who is ready to get America and our state back on track, we win.

    If we lose, we condemn ourselves to a future of darkness.

    If you do not know where to vote, try this link.

    https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/

    Yesterday

    Judge Suddaby issued decision  regarding the ‘Antonyuk v Hochul’ (formerly Antonyuk v Bruen) case about the Concealed Carry Improvement Act (“CCIA”).  NY State under Attorney General Letitia James were appealing an earlier decision that went against them.  They lost again.

    Judge Suddaby found many of the provisions of the CCIA to be unconstitutional infringements of the Second Amendment. The Court then preliminarily enjoined the State defendants, including “their officers, agents, servants, employees, and attorneys,” from enforcing many – but not all - provisions of the CCIA:

    Further, Judge Suddaby denied the State’s request for a limitation on the scope or stay of his injunction, pending further appeal. Therefore, the following provisions are no longer in effect in New York - at least until the NY State defendants appeal and the Second Circuit addresses these issues.  (And James and Hochul will appeal, even if not justified, since, as SCOPE has previously pointed out, they work on the taxpayer’s dime.)

    • the provision requiring an applicant to prove he/she has “good moral character” in order to be issued a carry permit or have one renewed; 

    • the provision requiring the disclosure of “names and contact information for the applicant’s current spouse, or domestic partner, any other adults residing in the applicant’s home, including any adult children of the applicant, and whether or not there are minors residing, full time or part time, in the applicant’s home” in order to complete the license application; 

    • the provision requiring a “list of former and current social media accounts of the applicant from the past three years” to complete the license application; 

    • the provision requiring “such other information required by review of the licensing application that is reasonably necessary and related to the review of the licensing application”;

    • the prohibition of carrying a concealed firearm in the following “sensitive locations”:
    1. “any location providing . . . behavioral health, or chemical dependance care or services” (but not places to which the public or a substantial group of persons have not been granted access);
    2. any place of worship or religious observation;
    3. public parks and zoos;
    4. airports (to the extent the license holder is complying with federal regulations) and buses;
    5. any establishment issued a license for on-premise consumption of alcohol;
    6. theaters, conference centers, and banquet halls; and
    7. any gathering of individuals to collectively express their constitutional rights to protest or assemble; and 
    8. the provision making private property a prohibited “restricted location” unless a sign permitting possession of firearms is posted.
    • 11/07/2022 9:17 PM | Anonymous

      Tuesday!  by Tom Reynolds

      Years ago, there was a hit move called Network.  The theme was, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.”  Gun owners and anyone who honors our Constitution need to get mad as hell.

      Kathy Hochul and the NY City controlled NY legislatures have all but declared NY State as a Sanctuary State from the U S Constitution, especially when it comes to the 2nd Amendment and the 1st and the 4th and the 5th  and the…well, you get the picture.

      The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has clearly and unambiguously stated that the Constitution protects our right to self-defense. And it spoke at exactly the right time, since crime is running amok and we have more need than ever to protect ourselves.

      On the opposite side from SCOTUS, Kathy Hochul has an insatiable appetite for taking guns out of civilian hands and leaving those civilians (us) defenseless.

      Joe Biden has been criticized for wanting to do away with fossil fuels - without having a replacement ready.  The same could be said of the Democrat’s defund the police, no cash bail, close prisons movements.  More social workers, 87,000 new IRS agents and new gun laws that punish legal gun owners “aint gonna cut it”!

      Hochul’s opponent, Lee Zeldin, clearly understands the need for the 2nd Amendment.  He has said, “The Second Amendment and the right to self-defense are not reserved for only the elite few deemed worthy by government officials. To address rising crime, we need to support law enforcement more, not less, reverse cashless bail, keep qualified immunity, and enact a Law Enforcement Bill of Rights. Unilaterally imposing more restrictions on law-abiding citizens' ability to defend themselves is not the answer,” 

      And as to stopping crime, Zeldin has a running mate, Allison Esposito, who is a career NY City cop and available to keep him on course.

      Hochul’s running mate, Anthony Delgado, enjoyed a career in the music industry which focused on hip hop and, as a congressman, voted in line with Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time, including voting for an anti-law enforcement bill, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

      And if you thought Kathy Hochul was anti 2A, NY Attorney General Letitia James said, “Hold my beer.” The NY Post says, “James may be the most partisan Democratic prosecutor in the country

      As reported by SCOPE in our October 3rd email, not only did she abuse her power in going after the NRA and Donald Trump for political purposes, she has never met a back door gun control plan she didn’t like and epitomizes the weak-on-crime prosecutor.  

      The NY City Police Conference is backing her opponent, Michael Henry.  The NY Post reported that, “Frustrated public safety reps…don’t see James…as a friend of law enforcement during these troubling times.” 

      NYC Detectives Endowment president Paul DiGiacomo said she is, “no help whatsoever to the women and men who daily put themselves in harm’s way. Keeping New Yorkers safe from criminals is not her priority…She sued the NYPD on pattern and practices after the George Floyd riots, but said nothing about the rioters total disregard for public safety and for public and private property.”

      National NYCPD 10-13 Organization endorsed Henry.  Its President, Michael Fahy, said “We are supporting you (Henry) because you have demonstrated your concern for the safety and security of the citizens of New York.

      New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association President Tom Mungeer said: “The NYSTPBA is urging all of its members, along with their family members and friends, as well as all members of the law enforcement community, to vote for Michael Henry for New York State Attorney General.”

      James is the only statewide incumbent who wouldn’t agree to a televised debate.  With her record and the non-support of police, it’s no wonder.

      Mike Henry, like Zeldin, has a connection to law enforcement; Henry’s father was a detective.  Henry is a career attorney, not a politician, and one of his stated goals is to restore professionalism to the office of the Attorney General.  (he’s gonna need a backhoe to clean it out.)

      Henry has twice spoken to the SCOPE Members’ Meeting.

      And for United States Senator, Chuck Schumer is running for reelection.  ‘Nuff said!

      SCOPE explored this race on this past Friday.  Pinion is strongly 2nd Amendment and demonstrated in their recent debate that he has a strong, conservative grasp of the issues.  But frankly, if he only ran on “I’m not Chuck Schumer” that would be enough for many voters.

      The choice for gun owners could not be clearer.  The question is, are those gun owners “mad as hell and not going to take it anymore” by voting on Tuesday?

    • 11/04/2022 11:55 AM | Anonymous

      Pinion versus Schumer  by Tom Reynolds

      Chuck Schumer is running for reelection as a U.S. Senator for New York.  He’s favored and his cohorts in the press have done all they can to keep the race out of the news to insure Schumer’s win over a less well-known opponent, Joe Pinion.  Schumer did agree to one debate that was not widely televised or publicized; that’s good for Schumer because his opponent more than held his own.

      Many of Pinion’s answers centered around his description of Schumer as, “The best politician but a failed Senator.”

      Schumer bragged about throwing money at every issue and avoided talking about results.

      Foremost on voters’ minds is inflation and the Federal Reserve is fighting it by trying to reduce the money supply.  In opposition, both the federal and NY State governments want to increase the money supply; they’re working against the Federal Reserve, a battle which should prolong inflation.  

      When questioned about inflation, Schumer repeatedly boasted about his work on the Inflation Reduction Act, That act featured sweeping climate and health care spending that will increase the money supply and fuel inflation – not reduce it.  Pinion correctly responded, “…(it) is going to explode inflation. It is not going to reduce the inflation…COVID did not cause the inflation…The response to COVID caused the inflation - the printing of money, $6 trillion worth." 

      Schumer lauded reducing student loans as another answer to inflation but it, too, will have the opposite effect by increasing the money supply and fueling inflation.

      Schumer uses inflation as a reason to tax corporations.  Pinion wants to cut taxes on individuals.

      When questioned about Covid, Schumer punted; he wants to defer to medical experts.  (Perhaps he has forgotten that one of his ‘medical experts’ is the Secretary of Human Services Xavier Bacerra, who is a lawyer and career politician but not a doctor.  And let’s not forget Dr. Fauci’s contributions to medical expertise!)

      What Schumer the politician forgets is that leaders get information from many sources – including medical experts - but the leader is the one who has to use wisdom and decide the correct decision.  Apparently, the buck doesn’t stop with Schumer.

      Pinion is against mask mandates and stressed that we need 2022 answers to Covid not 2020 answers, as we know a lot more, now.

      The two disagreed on bringing back the nation’s assault weapons ban, which expired in 2004, as it was ineffective.  Schumer supports a ban and Pinion emphatically said ‘No’.  Pinion wants to get the guns out of criminals’ hands, which, he said, is not Schumer’s priority.

      Schumer bragged about beating the left’s favorite boogeyman, the NRA, and passing so-called gun safety laws.  Given the increased level of violence, the Schumer’ laws have apparently not worked.

      Schumer focused on legislation Democrats have passed since he became Senate majority leader and President Biden took office in 2021.  All of them involved throwing money at problems without getting results.  For example, Schumer boasted about all the money he has thrown at anti-poverty programs while Pinion pointed out that Schumer was spending more money with less results.

      Schumer also highlighted his work on the opioid/ fentanyl problem, which was to spend more money.  (Note: You may have noticed we still have those problems.) 

      Pinion’s first step in dealing with illegal immigration would be to secure the border and that we also need more immigration agents and not 87,000 IRS agents.  

      Schumer blamed Republicans for the illegal immigrant invasion of our southern border because Republicans would not pass ‘Comprehensive Immigration Reform’.  Schumer did not mention that his program would involve legalizing illegal aliens and a path to citizenship for those that broke the law as reasons that Republicans opposed it.

      Pinion also pointed out that Biden has been encouraging illegals to come. 

      And as to immigration funding for NY City, Pinion believes we need to solve the problem before we encourage more illegals by increasing their funding.  (A novel approach; solve the problem instead of funding it.)

      Both differed on Climate Change and Schumer wanted to blame Donald Trump because he pulled out of the Paris Climate Accord, while Pinion labelled the Paris Accord as toothless. 

      Pinion wants to focus on the countries that are the major polluters, and punish China. 

      I believe that we need to start taxing the pollution that occurs from beyond our borders.”  Schumer, on the other hand, wants to punish America by seriously considering a carbon tax on his own country. 

      Schumer believes his programs will reduce HVAC expenses by up to $1,800 by 2030.  (It’s rumored that he also believes in Santa Claus.)

      The Supreme Court has ruled that abortion is a state and not a federal issue.  Schumer wants it to be a federal issue.  Pinion countered, "I do not support a national ban because the Supreme Court just said it was a matter for the states.  I don't think we should have patience for politicians who pass legislation knowing it violates that law." 

      Schumer also dodged the question about parental consent for a minor having an abortion.

      Schumer wants to see the political rhetoric / temperature lowered.  Pinion charged that Schumer should lower his own rhetoric, referencing the senator's warning to conservative justices on the Supreme Court that they would reap the whirlwind if they overturn Roe v. Wade. “You are the one who had that rhetoric and do you apologize to Justice Kavanagh, Pinion challenged."  Schumer responded, without apologizing, "The words I used that day were probably the wrong choice of words."

      Schumer spoke of “horrible MAGA judges” and also said he was open to the idea of expanding the number of Supreme Court justices, an idea that Pinion rejected.

      Schumer has been in Congress or the Senate since 1981 and often appeared smug, knowing his weak performance would not be seen by many voters.  Pinion was not at all intimidated to be in the presence of a DC Swamp denizen.

    • 11/03/2022 12:36 PM | Anonymous

      Vote to Save the Constitution  by Tom Reynolds

      Some say this election is between Democrats and Republicans.

      Others say it’s between the crazies and the sane – and offer gender identity policies as proof.

      This election is really between those that believe in the U.S. Constitution and those that would destroy it.

      The leadership of the left would destroy it.   

      Early in his career, NY Assemblyman David DiPietro asked why an obviously unconstitutional bill was passed. The answer: it will take a $1 million lawsuit and 5 years to have it declared unconstitutional.

      The successful 2nd Amendment case, NYSRPA v Bruen, cost the NRA $1 million.

      Now you know why NY Attorney General Letitia James wants to destroy the NRA; they are one of the few with the money to oppose unconstitutional laws. 

      James is running for reelection.

      After NYSRPA v Bruen, Kathy Hochul and the Democrat legislature passed a bill that contradicted the Supreme Court and numerous lawsuits have been filed against Hochul.  James defends Hochul using taxpayers’ money.  Early decisions found Hochul’s law unconstitutional. 

      Hochul is running for reelection. 

      Galileo's theorized that the Earth rotated daily and revolved around the sun.  It was condemned by the Catholic Church as ‘foolish’ and ‘absurd’.  (Misinformation?)  Galileo was later forced to recant and spent the rest of his life under house arrest.  (Worse than being banned from Twitter.)

      Galileo died in 1642.  The Church admitted its error in 1992.  A little longer than DiPietro’s 5 years.

      Elon Musk’s Twitter acquisition is being condemned by the left’s leadership. He would allow viewpoints, such as Galileo’s, that contradict what the left leadership calls established science.  The left would have banned Galileo. 

      Hitler, Mao and Stalin had numerous things in common - besides killing millions of innocent people - and foremost were banning dissent and firearms.  Our Founding Fathers understood this when they wrote the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. 

      Tyrants are desperate to stop dissent since the free flow of information is essential to a free society.  Washington endured his Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, who paid a State Department employee to publish anti-Washington stories.  (Like Biden’s Justice Department leaks of anti-Trump information?)

      U.S. Senators take an oath to “faithfully discharge the duties of the office”, which includes “support and defend the Constitution of the United States”.

      Chuck Schumer wants power centralized at the federal level, making it easier to control, in direct conflict with the Constitution and especially the 10th Amendment.  His American Rescue Plan would indirectly forbid states from using their 10th Amendment power to lower taxes. 

      Was Schumer unaware of that constitutional idea of separation of powers when he threatened, “I want to tell you, Gorsuch, I want to tell you, Kavanaugh, you have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price." 

      The Supreme Court’s Chief Justice refused to participate in Schumer’s unconstitutional 2nd impeachment of Donald Trump.

      Schumer wants a federal takeover of election laws, in direct conflict with the Constitution.

      Schumer is running for reelection.

    • 11/02/2022 10:19 AM | Anonymous

      Bond Proposal on the Ballot  by Tom Reynolds

      On November 8th, New York voters will decide whether the state will borrow more money.  A $4.2 billion bond act is the only statewide proposal on the (back side of the) ballot this year. The specific wording of the proposal is:

      To address and combat the impact of climate change and damage to the environment, the ‘Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022’ authorizes the sale of state bonds up to four billion two hundred million dollars to fund environmental protection, natural restoration, resiliency, and clean energy projects. Shall the Environmental Bond Act of 2022 be approved?”

      The state Legislature has already approved the plan. But the catch is that the state has to get approval from voters to borrow the $4.2 billion.  The money is supposed to be used on big-ticket, long-term projects.

      Who could possibly oppose something labelled the ‘Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022’?  Even though the federal ‘Inflation Reduction Act’ wasn’t about reducing inflation, we can trust that politicians have correctly labelled this one.

      As you might imagine, supporters include environmental groups and Gov. Kathy Hochul, who are giddy over the proposal to give them a $4.2 billion slush fund. Yes, it’s a slush fund.  You see, there’s not a specific list of projects; that will come later in the process.  There are general allocations, not mentioned on the ballot and the biggest general allocation is $1.5 billion for climate change.  What a shock.  Climate change finds its way into the bond issue!

      $1.5 billion (35% of the total funds) must be spent in disadvantaged communities. 

      Opponents have raised concerns about the costs.  Let’s take a more in-depth look at that.

      Gerard Kassar, the NYS Conservative Party’s chair summed it up, “We fear New York State’s reputation for unchecked spending will result in the possibility of the State Legislature spending the entirety of the $4.2 billion on projects that should be paid with existing authorized debt, new federal sources, and pay as you go where possible."

      Unchecked spending?”  In New York State?  Impossible!

      “New federal sources?” State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli unintentionally explained that when he commented on the NY State budget, “The American Rescue Plan (ARP), signed by President Joseph Biden in March, will provide $12.6 billion in direct fiscal relief to New York State...” 

      Couldn’t some of that $12.6 billion have been redirected to this instead of incurring new borrowing?

      Existing authorized debt?”  The state budget is around $212 billion.  $4.2 billion is 2% of that total.  Couldn’t Hochul and friends have found $4.2 billion in the budget for something they view as important as this – and not added more debt?

      Kassara expanded on ‘Existing Authorized Debt.’  “…there is money remaining from projects that were authorized but never conducted or completed from earlier environmental-oriented bond acts, so that money remains to be used first.”

      And timing is everything.  Kassar also added that the, “resulting debt service…will be issued at the highest interest rates New Yorkers have seen in decades."

      State Sen. George Borrello, R-Jamestown, reiterated some of these issues: "The problem is, this is a very large bonding act and it's very vague as to how the money is going to be spent…

      As to the $1.5 billion slated to go to green energy initiatives, of which he would not be in favor, Borrello said, "I think those should be separate and away from infrastructure projects, because we've already spent way too many taxpayer dollars on these ridiculous boondoggle green energy projects."

      What?  Ask Green Energy projects to stand on their own in front of the voters.  Environmental heresy! 

      ‘World Population Review’ says, “States borrow money for education, defense, health care, and welfare expenses and cover budget gaps, unfunded pension commitments, and outstanding bonds. Debts have increased in the states due to spending habits or a decrease in income from taxes and other sources…New York has the highest debt of any state, with total debt of over $203.77 billion.”

       What’s another $4.2 billion when you are already $203 billion in the hole? 

      Shouldn’t some of that $203 billion have been spent on these pressing issues?  It causes one to question our political leaders’ judgement and past decisions.

      Business executives and everyday people know that we must constantly make financial trade-offs; we forego buying something in order to buy something else.  Albany’s politicians have no idea what that concept is. 

      Even if next year’s Governors’ name is Zeldin, judgement and financial wisdom have to be imposed onto Albany’s legislature.

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