The Empire Page

Money magazine and CNN have jointly released a ranking of America's 100 best small cities.  In our Empire State of 18 million people, Schenectady, Troy and Albany were not listed.  In  fact, only Clarkstown (41) and Amherst (42) cracked the top 50.

What an embarrassment for our senior elected officials, past and present.  From Democratic Governor Paterson, who spent 20 years in the Senate before becoming  the state's top elected official, to Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, an Albany fixture for 30 years. They're primarily to blame.  Or, rather, their ideology is to blame.     

Unfortunately, our sorry state of existence is bi-partisan.  Republican Governor George E. Pataki held office for 12 years and signed state budgets that became increasingly liberal and bizaare in taxing and spending.   Gov. Pataki eventually gave up the good fight because he was at odds with liberal Republicans in control of the Senate at the time.  Why fight Silver when your own party's leadership is determined to cut your legs out from under you?   I know.  I saw it first hand.

So here we have yet another institution releasing yet another study showing our state going down the tubes. Fast.   

Census numbers, Business Council of New York studies, Heritage Foundation white papers, Cato Institution figures.  Over the years, in mind numbing detail, they demonstrate our state's pitiful existence.   What is it going to take to finally break New York free from economic sterility? 

We need a white knight cloaked in honesty, and there is no supply of one coming in this election year.  I'd rather live in New York with the lottery winners governing me.  At least they would have an appreciation for how to spend millions. 

So get ready for more of the same New Yorkers - and forfeit your right to an opinion when you vote for more of the  same. 

***

Chichester is a former spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Ralph J. Marino, Governor George E. Pataki, Congressman Lamar Smith and U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe.