Under Re-Construction...

The blog might be buggy for a bit while I update the format post-election.

Day One everything changes - but this isn't Day One yet.

My first post analyzing the local and national results - that will be day one.

Probably sometime Saturday.

John McHugh and the Military-Industrial Complex

Government funds for a "European Vacation":

$4000

Estimated government contractor waste in Iraq:

$9 BILLION+

Knowing your "Stay the Course" Republican Congressman was wined and dined by powerful military contractors in Europe, and voted to eliminate the Special Inspector for Iraq:

PRICELESS

LEARN MORE

McHugh's European Vacation

McHugh's Role in Termination of Special Inspector for Iraq

Billions Wasted in Iraq

This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence – economic, political, even spiritual – is felt in every city, every Statehouse, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted.

Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.

- President Dwight Eisenhower

Farewell Address January 17th, 1961

Julia Willebrand for New York State Comptroller

Until recently I was supporting Hevesi for Comptroller, but I don’t feel comfortable with him as a candidate any longer. Eliot Spitzer has withdrawn his endorsement of Hevesi and has also stated Chris Callaghan is an unacceptable candidate. I agree with Eliot and that has lead me to support Julia Willebrand.

Julia grew up poor and is a college professor focusing on labor issues. She ran for State Senate on the Upper West Side of NYC in 1998 and for mayor of New York City in 2001.

Julia was also a United Federation of Teachers (UFT) delegate during the Vietnam era and part of a caucus that succeeded in withdrawing UFT support for the war in Vietnam.

Julia is an environmental activist and she pledges to end corporate hand-outs, tackle Medicaid fraud and support environmental projects with government incentives.

I have some problems with the Green electoral strategy, but I do think we need more access for other choices when we vote - especially in cases such as this race.