New York City: Another Petri Dish For Progressive Polices

"Progressivism isn't about progress. It's about progressive rationalization of increasingly stupid ideas."...W. Heisenberg

• By now, those of you who follow the news have heard New York State's Gov. Cuomo and his rant against conservatives earlier this week ("If they are extreme conservatives, they have no place in the State of New York"). To Cuomo and other progressives, "Extreme conservatives" are Americans who support the Second Amendment, who support traditional marriage and who are pro-life. 
• Yesterday, NYC Mayor de Blasio echoed Cuomo's comments with, "I agree with Gov. Cuomo's remarks." In other words, the primary spokespersons who represent the State of NY and NY City have absolutely no interest in diversity, tolerance and even bi-partisanship. They are telling millions of New York State residents, "We're in charge. We have no interest in what you believe both politically and socially. It's our way or the highway."
• But the infiltration of progressive fanatics into the politics of New York State and the City goes deeper than one can imagine. The new Council Speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito (who lobbied for parole of terrorists and Cuban spies), appointed several progressive allies to key positions in the City. After the appointments, she had the nerve to proclaim the appointments "are a reflection of our city's diversity and values." Keep in mind, only about 25% of registered voters showed up to vote for the last mayoral election. Mayor de Blasio might have won but he sure does not have a mandate. But that means little to these tyrants. In fact, the new head of transportation for NY City said, "Now we will begin to steer the body in a progressive direction, on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who voted decisively for a break from the past."
• The past? The last time New York City was controlled by progressives, murder rates alone exceeded 2000 per year. After Republicans took over, that rate declined to about 400 a year in a city of about 8 million people.

• And this infiltration of fanatical progressives is not specific to only NYC government. If you recall, Columbia University hired Kathy Boudin, a former domestic terrorist who is recognized as a progressive "scholar."  In 2003, a piece in the NY Post pointed out she was responsible for a dozen bombings across the country. She was convicted of felony murder in 1984 and was released from prison in 2003. The felony murder charge was for participating in an armed robbery that resulted in the murder of two police officers and a security guard. There's also a bit of irony and masochism on the part of Columbia. One of the places she had planned to bomb 4 decades ago was Columbia University's library.
• As the above shows, progressives have long had a love affair with tyrants from their sympathies for Castro (recall how many have praised his failed universal health care system) to Che who had a habit of murdering anyone disagreeing with the "revolucion." Oh yes, he also burned books, jailing gays and was opposing to basic freedoms such as the freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and protest. We've seen this same phenomena play out in many of our major universities over the years with conservative speakers being shouted down or used as target practice on stage.
• But what should be disturbing to any rational person is this progressive ideology also breeds intolerance---intolerance for the opinions of those with whom they do not agree. Again, the comments this week by Gov. Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio reinforce this claim. And these tw just happen to be one of many. You don't have to look any further than inside the D.C. Beltway and into many of our nation's newsrooms.
• Anyone who thinks I'm way over the line with these claims, I have three letters for you to consider: IRS. Just yesterday, news broke that the IRS has been targeting "Friends of Abe,' a group of conservatives in the entertainment industry (most members of this group prefer to remain anonymous because of the Hollywood black listing of conservatives. Gary Sinise and Jon Voight have been open about their membership. It is believed about 1500 celebrities are members). 
• I hope I'm wrong about New York City's future. After all, I grew up in that great City. But I believe history is on my side. Detroit, Youngstown, OH, Cleveland, Chicago and countless other great American cities have been left in the wake of years of failed progressive policies.

Postcript

Since this was posted, NYC Council passed two bills giving sanctuary to illegal aliens who are felons. In addition, they said they would not honor ICE warrants. Even more disturbing, the NYPD now has a shadow Commish in the name of Al Sharpton. 
And just this week, New Yorkers are taking De Blasio to task for crime, poverty and rising homelessness.

Scott Walker Wins Embracing Conservative Principles

Democracy is safe with a media that's interested in which library books Palin checked out but not what Obama/Hillary did night of Benghazi...Tweet by John Nolte

• While I'm not a Republican (I'm a conservative), I've been taking Republicans to task for abandoning conservative principles. Earlier this year, I asked if the Republican Party is a mirage. I followed that with calling the Republicans a party of spineless and feckless chumps. I believe I was right on both counts as evidenced by their behavior over the last two election cycles (exceptions being Ted Cruz, Mike Lee, and a handful of others). Republicans have a knack in selling out their base.
• And while there's been a debate going on in the Republican Party awaiting for that one, true conservative who is a bold reformer with guts, they have one in Scott Walker.
• Scott Walker walked through hell successfully evading recall efforts by Wisconsin's major labor unions as well as vicious attacks from the Left,  progressives and their enablers in the media. 
• Walker stood by Constitutional principles. He stood by espousing limited government. He stood by supporting the free enterprise system and economic liberty.
• So what's been the outcome? The State of Wisconsin announced this week they will have a budget surplus of over $900M (when Walker took office, the state was facing a $3.6B deficit. He also inherited a mess in every sector of Wisconsin government). In addition, as a true conservative would do, Walker also announced he will be proposing $800 million in tax cuts. In fact, one of his very first initiatives was to pass corporate tax cuts. While Walker was vilified by Democrats that he was pandering to the wealthy, his corporate tax cuts helped businesses and the local economy. On the opposite end of the spectrum with states like NY which has some of the highest taxes in the nation, they've seen residents leave their states in droves. For example, according to the IRS, from 1992 to 2010, Florida experienced a net inflow of almost $100B in wealth. The largest chunk of that wealth came from...New York State (The new Mayor of NYC, Bill de Blasio, announced he wants to raise taxes on those making over $500K per year. States like Florida, Texas and a few others are awaiting new residents from NY with open arms. They will arrive by the thousands).

Gov. Cuomo Proves Yet Again Progressives Are Despotic, Useless and Sniveling Little Brats

Progressives always believe their faith in their ideology far exceeds its actual performance...my Tweet today

• "...if they are extreme conservatives, they have no place in the State of New York." That was said by NYS Gov. Cuomo this week. And who fall into his definition of "extreme conservatives?" Those who are pro-life. Those who believe in the 2nd Amendment (translated: the Constitution) and those who, according to him, are anti-gay (translated: those who believe in traditional marriage).
• Once again, one of the main spokespersons for progressive ideology proves they have not interest in tolerance and diversity. Cuomo's stance goes far beyond just having a "thin skin" as some in the media would like us to believe. His position, like many other of his ilk, is conspicuous intolerance and discrimination.
• We've seen this played out repeatedly and most recently with the Phil Robertson ("Duck Dynasty") controversy and with Chick-fil-A. We've also seen it in comments made by hosts on some of the major cable news networks. And the likes of Al Shartpon have made a career of intolerance and faux diversity.
• In fact, it's been progressives who have shown a propensity for being anti-faith, anti-woman (their attacks on conservative women know no bounds, e.g. Sarah Palin, Ann Coulter and Laura Ingraham just to name a few), anti-family, anti-wealthy, and anti-free speech (as evidenced on countless college campuses that shut down conservative speech and thought). Just as disturbing, many of their attacks have been malicious, vicious and spiteful. This was played out in all of its glory with the IRS targeting conservative groups. We'll also be seeing this played out with their chants of "income inequality" even as they themselves embrace the 1% (because most are members of the 1%).

Martin Luther King, Jr. Would Have Many Reasons To Smile---He Would Also Have Many Reasons To Cry

"A lie cannot live." Martin Luther King, Jr.

• It was five decades ago when Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his now famous, "I Have A Dream Speech." The environment surrounding that speech included racial segregation and discrimination. MLK also talked about freedom, liberty and justice for all peoples. He reminded all of us that the struggle for human and civil rights must include the participation of all Americans. He also reminded us that reliance of big government is not the answer to reconciling our problems. MLK recognized empowerment---not dependence---would provide access to many of the opportunities available to every American in life and in society.
• It's now undeniable we are a better nation today because of what MLK said that day. And while it would be patently absurd to proclaim racism is no longer a problem, it would be just as absurd to say we've not made great strides in human dignity in the last 50 years or more. Today we are living in the era of the first black President of the United States, a president who was elected by a majority of white voters. I contend MLK would be smiling down on America for that achievement as well as for the 42 Black Americans in Congress, the 31 Hispanics, 12 Asian Americans and the first black woman to be the nation's First Lady.
• Today we're living in a nation where one of the world's richest women is black. We're living in a nation where minority participation in higher education is four times more than it was 50 years ago, including five times as many black adults with college degrees.
• We're living in a nation where black participation in all areas of our culture---from entertainment to sports to politics to science to education---is immeasurable compared to 50 years ago.
• Having said that, I also believe MLK would be disappointed in both the black community and the Democrat Party today, a political party that has failed miserably to promote MLK's legacy of self-determination and self-sufficiency. 
• During his lifetime, out-of-wedlock rates for black women was about 25%. Today, in many areas of the country, it's as high as 70% (54% nationwide). 
• I believe MLK would feel great discomfort knowing the rate of abortion among black women is 41 per 1000 for ages 15-19.
• I believe MLK would be saddened at the high rates of black-on-black crime in the nation today.
• I believe MLK would be disappointed at so many in the black community who continue to promote perpetual victimhood especially among those African Americans who have been remarkably successful in their careers both socially and financially.
• I believe MLK would be angry at many in black leadership who continue to promote racial division largely for financial gain and fame. This behavior is a con of the worst kind. This kind of leadership never presents any new ideas. They keep retrieving an agenda they know will enrich them, and they media continues to enable their failed messages. After all, there's a lot of money to be made in exploitation.
• In other words, Martin Luther King, Jr., would never have accepted the messages of many of today's leaders---black and white---who continue to tolerate failure, promote racial deivision,  the pursuance of so many failed social programs that promote anguish, misery and dependence.
• Yes, Martin Luther King, Jr., would have every reason to smile. He would also have every reason to cry.
• Postscript: since this was posted, Ferguson happened and the NYC incident.