This southerner is one of us.

Tim McGraw includes and celebrates every leading light south of the Mason Dixon line in this

emerging contemporary country classic. Truth be known Tim has even campaigned for progressives. He is a traditional southern musicmaker without some of those oldtime uncomfortable southern traditions. Times really have changed. And it happened in JD's lifetime.

Holy crap! We agree with John McCain.

This piece today from the Plattsburgh Press Republican has some stern implications for the Towns of Alexandria and Orleans right here in Jefferson County.

ALBANY — A small town battle over fewer than 70 ballots from November's election could decide if downstate New Yorkers, most of them Democrats, can vote from their weekend and vacation homes upstate, a Republican outpost that can be shaken by a few strategically placed voters.

In the town of Taghkanic, some 100 miles north of New York City, a handful of local elections — highway superintendent, town justice and two town council seats — are on hold until the courts decide whether final ballots can be counted. The winners are supposed to take office Jan. 1.

The community of about 1,100 people wasn't expecting the political battle that's landed on their front lawns. But it started years ago for state Republicans who have gradually watched the erosion of their traditional hold on upstate New York.

At issue is state election law that defines residence as the place "where a person maintains a fixed, permanent and principal home and to which he, wherever temporarily located, always intends to return."

Read the whole thing.

Maybe Sampie has a chance next time.

It isn't partyline at all but it is a truly great progressive newsletter. Try it

Mainstream stuff

Here is the latest newsletter from the NYS Democratic Party. You just can't get more mainstream than this. Click it.

Hey! I got a video from the White House

http://holiday.barackobama.com/?fname=Ted

Scamming the state retirement system and calling out Don Alexander

A big JD "hoo-ray" goes out to the WDT for an editorial today about the JCIDA and their methodology to get undeserving folks into the state retirement system.

Here is the editorial.

It seems to JD and the Jefferson Leaning Left blog that there might be some culpable criminality here.

The JLL said this, "..the JCIDA has been listing the staff of other various economic development agencies as being employees of the Jefferson County Agency. That way, the JCIDA becomes an umbrella agency to funnel benefits to workers."

The last line from the Times editorial is, "The practice bears a thorough investigation by Mr. DiNapoli's office to determine its validity and accountability for any improper conduct."

The A-B-C Book Drive is in the Distribution Phase

This holiday season Assemblywoman Addie Russell joined forces with the Community and Church Program in St. Lawrence County and the Community Action Planning Council in Jefferson County to hold a book drive. The drive was titled ‘A-B-C Addie’s Books for Children.’ The goal was to try to put a book in every kid’s hands this holiday.

The Assemblywoman was publicized and promoted the book drive and the social service agencies are distributing the books. The collection phase concluded December 11^th and the results were impressive. Over 1,500 new and gently used books for children were collected. One book dealer alone, Kalieghbug Books, in Morristown contributed over 200 new books. Thanks also go out not only to the sponsoring agencies but Salmon Run Mall in Watertown and Kinney Drugs in Canton where the collection boxes were located . The Jeff/Lewis Teacher’s Center also deserve thanks for laminating the posters promoting the book drive.

Addie Russell said, “I am very pleased that the ABC book drive frankly exceeded my expectations in its first year. Whether kids read themselves, or are read to, the joy of reading can be experienced by many kids this holiday season. We are starting early to expand the book collection next year. Once again our goal will be to get as many books in as many young hands as we are able.”

Sheri Wilcox of the Church and Community Organization in Canton said, “It was a joy seeing the faces of parents and guardians light up when we combined the gifting of food, toys, clothes and books. The families that we deal with really appreciated the books.”

Melinda Gault of the Community Action Planning Council said, “It isn’t common for an outreach agency like ours to partner with an elected official to reach a common goal. But I’m so pleased we were able to do that this year. Kids will benefit and that’s always our goal at CAPC.”

Ladies & Gentlemen--Boys and Girls--Randy Newman

Liz Sez

Today's Q poll suggeststhat those argued against letting the gay marriage bill die on the Senate floor for fear it would be a setback for the movement may have been right.

New Yorkers are again split, 47-46, on whether same-sex couples should be allowed to marry, which is down from 51-41 in support of the measure in a June 23 Q poll.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/12/the-gay-marriage-fallout-is-fe.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nydnrss%2Fblogs%2Fdailypolitics+%28Blogs%2FThe+Daily+Politics%29&utm_content=Twitter#ixzz0ZtjNbVRx

Howard Dean, "Kill the Healthcare Bill!"

Breaking this early evening Dr. Howard Dean one of the longest and largest supporters of national healthcare legislation said in a Vermont Public Radio story that without the Public Option and/or the Early Medicare provision the bill should be killed. Click for it.

Inch by inch

Little by little the very intimate circle viewing JD grows. We appreciate each and every one of you.

Total ....................... 46,795                         Average per Day ................ 224                                                 This Week .................... 1,567             

IQ Time

A short while ago we put up a game and everybody seemed to like it--especially R. Wiley of the Jefferson's Leaning Left blog. Ok R. Here is an IQ test for you. Click here. You don't have to tell us your score. Mine was 8. Maybe the Mayor will post his.

Are corporations the same as people?

An interesting decision will be coming from the Supreme Court.

Corporations and First Amendment Rights from Elyn Heyn on Vimeo.

Capital H HYPOCRITE--Joe Lieberman last Sept. at an editorial board session

By now, everybody should realize that what Joe Lieberman says has nothing to do with principle -- it's all about exacting revenge on the Democratic Party base that voted him out of the party in 2006. Every single time he's flip-flopped on a position related to health care reform, he's done so in a fashion designed to cause maximal harm to Democratic Party leadership and the administration. The only kind of health care bill he wants to see pass is the kind of health care bill that will disappoint the Democratic Party base and depress Democratic turnout in 2010. Simply put, enabling Joe Lieberman is enabling a political opponent of the Democratic Party, and anyone who tries to make a deal with him is going to end up looking foolish in the end. At this point, it is increasingly apparent that the only option left is reconciliation. Joe Lieberman is leaving Democratic leadership no other choice. (a Daily Kos post today)

Here is Dennis Kucinich with a one minute speech on the House floor that you may not agree with but please watch it and think about it anyway. Thanks.

David Paterson is mounting a mini comeback

This from the Albany TU.

The new Siena poll finds the governor climbing up to a 36 percent favorability rating (with 53 percent unfavorable), which puts him back where he was in July — long before the Paterson campaign started rolling out a pricey ad campaign designed to bolster his chances for next year.

The governor’s greatest gain comes from voters who are not in his party: He gained 7 points among Republicans and 6 points with independents, but fell three points among Democrats. You can most likely lay that off on the fact that the master narrative of the past several months has been Paterson’s pitched battle with the Democrat-controlled Legislature, which he has cast as insufficiently fiscally responsible.

Paterson can also take solace from the fact that he’s now back to beating GOP candidate Rick Lazio in a hypothetical general election matchup, although the 42-40 win is within the margin of error. Not within the margin of error: Andrew Cuomo’s 68-22 hypothetical victory over Lazio, or the AG’s 67-23 victory over Paterson.

Paterson “is fighting gravity, and gravity is winning,” said Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf in an interview this morning with Fred Dicker.

De-Merit badges

If you would like to give Walmart a de-merit badge for their sick leave policy click here.

Is our Gov 'over the top' on this or what? He wails about the lying legislature. Really.

Here is a pretty rare weekend posting from Liz this morning. (The pic is from her facebook page. Don't mess with Liz. She's tiny but taut.)

BY ELIZABETH BENJAMIN

Gov. David Paterson was back on the radio this morning to continue his anti-Legislature campaign, and ratcheted up the rhetoric even further by accusing state lawmakers of lying to constituents about the state's fiscal mess.

Speaking on WABC-AM’s "Religion on the Line" with Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Deacon Kevin McCormack, the governor lit into legislators who claim he is overstating the severity of the crisis in an attempt to boost his own poll numbers.

"I can't believe that individuals would get up and - I don't use this term lightly - and lie to their own constituents to try to ingratiate themselves with the public when they go home when they know full well the crisis that we're facing," Paterson said.

"...These are people who would never manage their own money the way they're managing your money, the taxpayer. I've never heard of any legislator going bankrupt."

Paterson found kindred spirits in Potasnik and McCormack.

Potasnik told the governor: "I understand why you have security - to protect you from those people in Albany, in the Assembly and the Senate." The rabbi then accused the Legislature of doing a "disservice" to the people they represent by employing "dilatory tactics" when it comes to the budget deficit.

Paterson responded:

"Well, Rabbi, I think it's worse than what you describe. I think they do understand what's going on and continue to fail to uphold the oath of office that we all took to protect our constituents."

The governor later suggested that lawmakers are unwilling to cut the sacred cows of school aid and health care funding because they are "seduced by the competitive spirit" and "intimated" by their colleagues who "act all tough" and pledge to protect those sectors.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/12/paterson-to-legislature-youre.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nydnrss%2Fblogs%2Fdailypolitics+%28Blogs%2F

The+Daily+Politics%29&utm_content=Twitter#ixzz0ZaT8WkFt

Here is absolutely pure citizen journalism. This citizen posted her amateur youtube shot at a

free health clinic in Kansas City to her blog. I think it says volumes. If you would like to do a citizen journalist video send it to Watertownwizards@yahoo.com We'll consider it.

Just before the weekly address here is a short report on the many Jefferson Dems that helped the Salvation Army by ringing bells at the Fort Drum Walmart today. The early afternoon shift (noon to 3) had Doris McLallen, Ted Ford and Mary Kiechle wailing away on the bells. The kids contributing are the greatest. Their faces just beamed. I'm not sure who came in to relieve at 3 but I'm guessing Sean Hennessey and Sandra Cole were among them.

Now, as promised, the Prez.

Memo from home office

Each week the unidentifiable, faceless ones at the Democratic State Office send out a newsletter.

Here is the approved manifesto. Click it.

R.I.P. PUBLIC HEALTH OPTION

Here is the lead story today from Huff Po.

The public health insurance option died on Thursday, December 10, 2009, after a months-long struggle with Senate parliamentary procedure. The time of death was recorded as 11:12 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Its death had been rumored numerous times over the past year, but the public option repeatedly and defiantly battled back. The Senate's insistence on 60 votes, combined with President Obama's decision not to intervene on its behalf, eventually proved overwhelming.

The public option leaves behind a Medicare buy-in for people aged 55-64, an expansion of Medicaid, a quasi-public option for those under 300 percent of the poverty line and a collection of national private plans managed by the Office of Personnel Management.

The one remaining chance for the public option rested with the House somehow forcing its will on the Senate.

But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) pulled the final plug in a press briefing with reporters Thursday.

She had often said in the past that a health care bill without a public option simply wouldn't have the votes to pass the House. She was asked about that claim Thursday, in relation to the Senate compromise, and pointedly told reporters that any bill could pass as long as it met certain broad goals.

"Well, what I said -- it is a two‑part statement that quotes what the President has said. We believe, we in the House believe, that the public option is the best way to hold insurance companies honest -- to keep them honest and also to increase competition. If there is a better way, put it on the table. As soon as we see something in writing from the Senate, we will be able to make a judgment about that. But our standards are that we have affordability for the middle class, security for our seniors, closing the donut hole and sustaining the solvency of Medicare. Responsibility to our children, so not one dime is added to the deficit. And accountability of insurance companies. We will take a measure of that bill in those regards," Pelosi said.

So. Its over. We lose. (...and so do you.)

The antiwindies going commercial

We could use a lot more Tedras

Gentleman Jude Seymour of the WDT reported today that Tedra Cobb the St. Lawrence County legislator who represents the Canton

area isn't going to run for the position again. Damn! She represents just about everything that JD believes. She offered this, “Over the course of almost eight years, I have become more and more committed to the idea that elected officials should serve for two purposes — to better the community and to further the issues of their constituents. I have tried to fulfill these purposes while in office, and next year, I will step aside for them as well,” Ms. Cobb said in a written release. “By stepping aside, someone new will have the opportunity to serve your interests and work toward the betterment of our community.”

A truly open forum

Thursday evening at Jefferson Community College Assemblywoman Addie Russell will host an OPEN FORUM. The forum is for anyone who cares to attend. It will be unmoderated and visitors may ask the Assemblywoman anything they wish. Starting time is 6PM and the ending time is unknown.

Next week on the 17th Assemblywoman Russell is planning a second forum at SUNY Canton.

Bruno GUILTY

It is a dark day for the NY Senate. This blog agrees with the NY Public Interest Research Group.

The federal trial of the former Senate Majority Leader pulled back the curtain on Mr. Bruno’s shocking use of his public office for private gain, including using taxpayer resources to help build his business empire, relying on Senate staff for his private business dealings and using state offices to hold sales-pitch meetings. Through it all Mr. Bruno concealed his true business dealings from other lawmakers, voters and the general public. Some of his actions have been found illegal by a federal jury.

Regardless of the verdict, what is abundantly clear is that New York’s legislative ethics is rotten. How else could Senator Bruno think, correctly or otherwise, that he could deceive the public in the disclosure of his outside employment? Or run his private business out of his taxpayer-funded offices – all the while using the Senate’s professional staff to help him in his enterprise?

The system needs radical overhaul. Here are four steps:

1. New York State needs an independent ethics watchdog that is not beholden to the legislature or its leaders.
2. There must be clear guidelines prohibiting lawmakers’ use of taxpayer dollars to benefit their private business enterprises.
3. Disclosure requirements must require lawmakers to publicly report the names of business clients and provide sufficient detail on the identity of direct and indirect clients, the nature of the work, and compensation.
4. There must be a complete ban on lawmakers appearing before governmental entities—including the type of activities Senator Bruno engaged in, like matching up clients and government agencies.
5. Lawmakers must demonstrate that they can conduct their private business in a transparent and ethical manner, free from conflicts, or such income should be banned altogether.

Lastly, action must occur quickly. The Assembly has passed legislation that covers some of these topics, but so far the Senate has not acted. Negotiations must lead to a new law as quickly as possible to set a new ethical environment in Albany.

Here is a piece from Common Cause

"The lax atmosphere has not only been indicted but now convicted, and it just really underlies how no one up there has an idea of what’s right and what’s wrong," said Common Cause/NY Executive Director Susan Lerner.

"The Bruno verdict shows that there are no standards," she continued. "These people don’t know how to behave."

"The fact that Joe Bruno could say after being convicted for this kind of action that he thinks he did nothing wrong is just sad. He doesn’t get it, and his former colleagues don’t get it."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/12/these-people-dont-know-how-to.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nydnrss%2Fblogs%2Fdailypolitics+%28Blogs%2FThe+Daily+Politics%29&utm_content=Twitter#ixzz0Z3PYxNSf

Have fun with this.

My highest score was 300. Don't tell Mark I'm gonna play it all day at work tomorrow.

Click here

Mash those potatoes

As JD has advocated for years the news business is becoming uniquely synthesized. When I started yammering about stuff like this in the last century dedicated news professionals would look at me with glazed eyes as though I had a truly screwy, marginally insane, perspective.

But the marketplace is dictating the necessity of hybridization. Frankly its fun to watch and be a part of even if JD's role is marginal. Print, electronics, opinion, aural, pictorial, analysis, video, internet, revenue gathering et. al. are becoming interwoven. The consumer is the winner. As an example, here is a print guy, Casey Seiler of the Albany Times Union, doing a quality video analysis of the gay marriage vote in the State Senate.

Here is a newspaper guy's strong analysis (which also appeared in traditional print) combined with a top quality video production on a co-promoted newspaper's website that is co-promoted by the newspaper's well read daily blog. All of which is supported by advertising in the paper, on the website and on the blog. Advertisers are given multiple levels of audience. Cool. Create it and sell it TU.

GREAT PICTURE

June O'Neill and granddaughter at a White House reception on 12/4. You two look wonderful.

I stole the pic from your facebook wall.

What a beautiful present to be able to give your granddaughter JO'N.

What is and what isn't in the two versions of the healthcare bill

Of course, there is the one that squeaked by in the House and the one that is pending in the Senate.

Here is Justin Reuben's brief analysis of what is in what and what needs to be fixed.

Overall, both pieces of legislation would do four major things:

• Create a "Health Insurance Exchange." The bills create a one-stop marketplace where people can choose from various insurance plans, including the public option. The details aren't set yet, but initially the Exchange would likely be open to the self-employed, people without insurance at work, and small businesses.The key with the Exchange is that it brings "the bargaining power and scale that's generally accessible only to large employers" to individuals—and with that, lower costs and better options.

• Provide insurance to over 30 million more people. The House bill would expand coverage to 36 million people by 2019. The Senate bill extends coverage to 31 million.

• Outlaw discrimination based on pre-existing conditions and gender. Insurance companies will have to stop denying coverage to people with "pre-existing conditions." And they won't be allowed to charge women more than men for the same coverage.
  


• Eliminate coverage limits and price-gouging. The bills differ on some details, but in general would place limits on how much people have to pay for health care beyond their premiums. They both cap out-of-pocket costs and ban insurance companies from setting limits on how much health care they'll cover for a person each year.

Of course, the devil is in the details, and much in these bills still needs work.

Here's what still needs to be fixed:

• Both bills leave millions uninsured. The House bill leaves 18 million without insurance in 2019; the Senate bill, 24 million. Neither comes close to the vision for universal coverage so many of us fought for for years. We'll all need to fight to continue to expand coverage in the bills this year, and in the years to come.

• The Senate public option is weak, and conservatives are pushing to make it weaker. The public option is a core piece of reform that will create real accountability and competition for private insurance—and that's why it's at the center of such a huge fight. While the House bill creates a national public option, the Senate lets states opt out, denying their residents access to it. Plus, conservatives are working to weaken it even more. We're all going to have to fight hard for the strongest version possible.

• Many reforms don't start quickly enough. While some pieces of reform go into effect right away, the larger structural changes are not scheduled to go into effect until 2013 (House bill) or 2014 (Senate bill). This includes the Exchange, the public option, and subsidies—the major ways coverage will be expanded.

• Required insurance could still be too expensive for many. Both bills require virtually all Americans to have insurance. But the caps on how much we're expected to pay are way too high, and the subsidies are way too low. Many progressives are working to fix this, but it's going to be a significant fight.
  

• Reproductive rights are severely restricted in the House bill. An egregious anti-choice amendment in the bill virtually prohibits anyone purchasing insurance in the Exchange from buying a plan that covers abortion—even if paid for with their own money. We need to make sure the final bill doesn't include this rollback of reproductive rights.

• The Senate bill could discriminate against lower income workers. The current Senate legislation retains a version of what's called the "free rider" provision, which essentially penalizes employers for hiring lower income workers. This provision needs to be fixed before the bill is finalized.

Ho Ho Hoing for dollars

It was just about a month ago that the traditional political season lapsed into the traditional holiday season, but not for this guy. He is attempting to merge the two seasons of giving.

Matt Doheny, the guy Dede Scozzafava beat out for the Republican

Party's nod for Congress, is holding a fundraiser. A fundraiser? Ten days before Christmas? Yes he is hanging up his elephant size stocking December 15th at the Italian American Club in Watertown apparently hoping for his own Santa drop.

Matt wants to be the dude to run against the now incumbent Congressman Bill Owens next fall.

It'll cost you $30 to take your partner to meet Matt. Maybe he'll be there with some of the other well known Republican elves. Wonder if Dede will go? I'm guessing not.

Harry Reid blisters the backsides of the health insurance industry

Just in case you somehow have the very mistaken idea that the public option is a bad deal heeeeres

Harry.

Your weekly address

Take this--you'll like it

Here is a short news quizzy from the Pew Research Center. Answer the 12 questions and see how you stack up against everybody else who took it. Odds are you'll be shocked. I was. Click here

From firedoglake.com a different perspective--see what you think

A fellow North Country progressive blog, Jefferson's Leaning Left, regularly assaults the offshore windmill blowhards. His premise recently is that they are schmoozing, wooing and actively courting our core of Jefferson County Legislators. Here is his Friday post. http://jeffersonleaningleft.blogspot.com/2009/12/all-kings-horses-and-all-kings-men.html

No impound for Hiram

NY Progressive blogger Andrew White wrote this late this afternoon. If you choose to comment on Andrew's comment feel free.

Sen. Hiram Monserrate was sentenced to 3 years probation, 250 hours of community service and 52 weeks of domestic abuse counseling in Queens County Supreme Court today.

The sentencing shows both the privileges that come along with holding a position of power and the difficulties that women and courts face in dealing with domestic violence cases.

Assistant District Attorney Scott Kessler recommended 60 days in jail along with three years probation, domestic violence counseling and a $1,000 fine. Kessler argued correctly that Monserrate has shown no understanding of the seriousness of his actions or underlying problems, nor has he taken any responsibility for his actions.

Their remains little doubt that on the night of Dec. 19, 2008, Hiram Monserrate in a jealous rage took a broken drinking glass and slashed his girlfriend, Karla Giraldo, across the face causing 40 stitches worth of damage. Giraldo, in a situation all too common in domestic abuse cases, told the truth to health care providers while being treated in the emergency room but later recanted and told a whopper of a story to cover up for her abuser.

There were a number of wonderful speeches on the floor of the NY State Senate regarding

Marriage Equality legislation yesterday. One of the best was delivered by Senator Diane Savino. See what you think.

Here you go--pick a side

Addie Russell discusses the 'allnighter' last night in the Assembly

“Early this morning, the Assembly passed a deficit reduction package that cut $2.7 billion from this year's state budget and I voted to support this package. Over the past few weeks I have stressed the need for us to take action to close our budget deficit and while today's actions will not completely eliminate the deficit, it was a necessary procedure.

“The Assembly made several painful cuts today, but did so very carefully, including making targeted cuts to health care so as to avoid a devastating loss of federal reimbursable aid. We also limited the cuts the governor proposed in aid to local municipalities that would have shifted the burden on to the backs of local property taxpayers. However, we did cut the legislative budget and member items.

“In addition, the Assembly did not make mid-year school aid cuts but are informing districts that there will be $391 million less in federal stimulus funds to education that were to be used in the 2010-11 budget and thus schools should plan their budgets accordingly. But we did reject the governor's proposed cut to the school lunch and breakfast program. Our working families are in difficult times and it did not make sense to hurt them any more by cutting food programs for their children.

“We also rejected the governor's proposed $26.2 million cut to the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), because working families cannot afford to dig deeper to afford a college education for their children. In addition, we mitigated the proposed SUNY and CUNY cuts from 12.5% to 5%.

“The Assembly rejected the governor's proposal of an $11.4 million cut to Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a program that helps aged, blind, and disabled people who have little or no income to meet their most basic needs, like food, clothing, and shelter.

“The governor will need to address the remaining deficit with cash management actions. I have already begun contacting my local school districts and local governments to urge caution in spending for the rest of this fiscal year as the governor has warned of the possibility of withholding local assistance funding.

“The Assembly also passed pension reform legislation, establishing a new Tier V, which will significantly save taxpayers money in the long run.

“Although we have made progress, the hard work is far from over. I will continue my proactive approach, addressing the existing deficit and next year's budget. I will propose real and recurring solutions to help the state regain fiscal health such as increases to out-of-state tuition, changing the way the state purchases information technology, and shrinking the overall size of state government. I was elected to work for my constituents and for the betterment of New York State and the North Country. Be assured that I will continue to be engaged and work hard on behalf of all the families in the North Country.”

Hey, Hey come out and play.

Where did PIV go? We need an antithesis for our thesis. We need some barkback. We need

some validation. Knowing PIV heartily disapproved of practically all of the JD philosophy cheered our heart. Nobody rained on your parade did they?

Now you can comment back at us on the new and improved JD.

So comment on anthing

OK--Comment away

Hello out there. We JDites are a small, exclusive band of North Country political junkies. Here are our numbers for the past week.

Average per Day ................. 83                                     

            This Week ...................... 580                                                             

23 of you kindhearted souls indicated in our poll that you wanted to have the

 opportunity to comment.

Great.  We'll break the 'no comment' ban with the understanding that anything

libelous, obscene and not germain to the original post won't make it.     

He is right you know

Dr. Howard Dean, Yale class of '71, addresses some of the student body and fellow alums at an annual campus event called the Master's Tea.