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jeff 42
I beg to differ politicians give the people what the people want if they don't the people will fire them. stop whining about the politicians. it's the people who want what they won't pay for.

I do not like it when people intentionally keep their heads down and pretend as if they do not see the pregnant, elderly or disabled folks.
Stand up.... be nice.... and be considerate!

44 states are in deficit because we have very few politicians in this country who have the intelligence, the integrity, and the cohones to save money when their respective constituencies are generating surpluses.

So we end up getting stroked when times are good, and choked when they aren't.

Pedro Espada doesn't even live in "his" district, and Hiram Monserrate beats and slashes smaller women.

If these two lowlifes are brave democrats, I am the Queen of England.

Hint: I'm not even British!!!

robin [34] - point well taken. I stand corrected. =)

From my perspective, I have seen a marked improvement in the interaction of newborn infants since the economy has forced many parents to forego baby nurses. They learn how to interact with their infants much more quickly when they actually spend time with their own infants instead of handing them off to someone else.

Of course, this might force us to really have to address the fact that the US has the worst protections for leave after the birth of an infant than any other developed country.

If parents hire others to care for their children and infants they should be paying the full professional cost. I have firsthand witnessed some of the abuses of these hard working women.

The last time I saw such ridiculous political grandstanding when crises demanded clear thinking and teamwork, it was in one of the many developing countries I worked in during my former career in international nutrition. Never did I think that I would see such an absurdly infantile behavior in my own country.

When are the Senators going to start behavior like adults and when is Patterson going to lead?

And as for education leading to deficit -- California was in a surplus before proposition 13 and they spent far more on education then. As California withdrew more and more support from education the state has dropped from near the top of the states in education to near the bottom. And at the same time California is in a record deficit. Just like health care. If you withdraw preventive services, the costs increase because everyone ends up going to the hospital. Just ask my brother the firefighter how much it costs to transport someone to the hospital who should have been treated in a clinic, but wasn't because there were no services. Penny wise and pound foolish.

so i was right federal welfare, to WY, ND, MT,
we are keeping them in the black

http://www.taxfoundation.org/UserFiles/Image/Blog/ftsbs-large.jpg

I think that this is another example of well-meaning people paternalistically crafting a worse situation from a less-than-perfect one. While I would agree that there are likely many domestics who are being treated beneath the employment standards required by the law, these women and men have the opportunity to negotiate for the best circumstances they can get, and they can quit any job which does not meet their expectations or requirements. Also, in the midst of a horrible economy, do these well-meaning meddlers realize that making domestics more expensive is likely to result in a severe increase in the unemployment of some of society's most vulnerable employees? By the way, we have employed nannies for years and chose from the beginning to provide certain benefits (paid sick days, paid vacation days, overtime, and bonus pay, among other things). But to make these things requirements is to price domestic service out of the market.

[[31 - Sweety :) from NYC June 11, 2009 - 10:39AM
I'm curious to know specifically which states do not have a deficit. Anyone?]]

http://www.njtaxrevolution.com/2009/05/state-deficit-corzine-says-everyone-is.html

and

http://www.njtaxrevolution.com/uploaded_images/state-deficits-755971.jpg

Dew, I feel similarly, but would like to remind you that Patterson was never elected, and therefore cannot be reelected.

Looks like 3 - WY, ND, MT. Energy-related revenues and few people. Surprised AK is not on the list.

http://www.cbpp.org/cms/?fa=view&id=711

sweety
try this link
http://www.cbpp.org/cms/?fa=view&id=711

I'm curious to know specifically which states do not have a deficit. Anyone?

Sweety
my guess, the ones that don't have modern programs like education/healthcare or the ones that get a lot of federal aid.

I agree. I like Patterson. I think he has a low approval rating because these are tough times and it is necessary to make cuts but he is honest and tells it like it is. It's unfortunate that we need to cut but there is no choice. he doesn't try to make it sound like everything is peachy to get approval or votes.

44 states are in deficit? Wow! Does anyone know which ones aren't?

Some of his economic development ideas are actually pretty good.

It's too bad he's incapable of accomplishing it.

[[16 - jollyd from NYC June 11, 2009 - 10:20AM If one were to replace "latino" with "white" would everyone be screaming "racism"?]]

i don't think so. it's racial, not racist. political power always lags behind population change, so every group has, at some point, clamored for fair representation.

I still like Paterson. He's articulate, smart, and really applies himself. Growing up with parents who did nothing but complain about politicians in NY, he seems to be the exact opposite.

...that said, I think the leader of a party needs to know how to get his people in line. If the dems regain control, the defectors should expect to find themselves in the weeds.

There was time when people were coming to New York City because they could get an affordable rent-controlled apartment.

Brian, Ask Governor Patterson if he still pays about $1,250 a month for a two-bedroom, rent-stabilized apartment in central Harlem, even while owning a home upstate in Guilderland and having unfettered access to the 40-room Governor’s Mansion in Albany.

Illinois has a speaker of the house who is plenty "knife-in-the-teeth" Rambo tough...a real back room manipulator. State rep for 38 years, Speaker for 25. The end result? Gridlock. No budget. No reform.

Brian asked specifically whether the law in NY State allows the change in leadership that happened this week when the terms are supposed to be 2 years. Gov. Paterson answered in terms of what's been done in the past in *other* political bodies. I'd like him to address the question Brian actually asked, about whether the 2-year terms can be abrogated.

(David [9], is this the "real question" you're referring to? I have no way to tell. And in general, it would help if commenters gave some context--even when we're listening live, not everyone can keep track of exectly what was said when & in what words.)

Brian, ask Gov Pattererson if Espada and Monserrate should be stripped of their democratic affiliation.

This is painful. He's a nice guy, he's trying so hard, but he's in over his head.

Governor Paterson, I wish you well, as your actions affect the lives of every New Yorker. I must tell you, sir, that this interview has done nothing to instill in me any confidence in you.

No disrespect, but please don't seek reelection.

If one were to replace "latino" with "white" would everyone be screaming "racism"?

why are men like espada monserrate & diaz aloud to run unopposed by any major party

I wish there was more made of Mr. Gulisano's possible role in this. It's another example of wealthy people buying their influence.

Congrats Gov. Patterson, your approval rating is now going to be about zero.

You're probably the most corrupt of the bunch.

On the taxes and jobs, he's conceding too much. There are studies that show wealthy people do not leave states that raise taxes.

This is painful to listen to. What a shame.

I am totally indifferent which gang of statist legalized criminals run the legislature. Republicans=Democrats.

For a real change, vote Libertarian Party. Libertarians advocate individual liberty, free markets and personal responsibility in order to promote a society that enjoys more justice, abundance and peace.

Richard Cooper, former Chair Libertarian Party of New York www.ny.lp.org

The real question is the one Brian just asked you, you dolt!

Charles,

I call people sweety because it is acceptable at WNYC for others to call me sweety. Pretty simple sweety.

Whether he likes it or not, Gov. Paterson is the highest ranking Democrat in the state. He needs to grow a spine and lead. Yesterday's press conference was weak and pathetic.

Isn't Paterson supposed to be the leader of the state party? Is "leadership" now defined at standing aside and letting one part of the 3 branches of government tear itself to shreds?

I would like to see the gov lead for a change, rather than follow the headlines/scandals. HIs notion of leadership so far has seemed to be to try and predict doom (real budget problems) and then say "I told you so" when concerned public workers and advocates protest--and then, rather than good-faith negotiation, set them off against each other.

It's been the most bizarre nonstrategic, ill-thought-through approach to governing.

Sweety? (Spelled wrong) Hey Peter, is that how you address people from Manhattan? I believe your using the wrong language for your team, sweetie.

Republicans are doomed nationally, but have a chance in New York. Democrats in New York are doomed, but not nationally. Republicans in general make stupid and irrational comments, and Democrats don't have to, as we run the store. As for President Obama, he is a gift from God; amen.

well said norman

Norman,

This is about much more then a sex scandal sweety. President Obama was elected on a platform of change and hope. The change has not happened and the hope is starting to look pretty thin. The Republican party, in the minority in New York and certainly on the national level, now is the party of hope and change. When President Hope and Change can do neither, of course the Republicans will find the cracks. President Obama has more support then any president in recent history and he still refuses to lead. President Obama is similar to the late President Nasser of Egypt - lots of flowery speeches, large and loving crowds, but no change and no action. This is most surely being felt at the state level. The Republicans are rising because elected Democrats at the state and national level refuse to lead.

Eliot Spitzer would have been smart enough, and tough enough, to handle this.

David Patterson's main skill is being a nice guy, compromising, and backing down.

Those of you who said Spitzer had to resign -- don't you feel stupid now?

You fell for a Republican-managed sex scandal.

Now, after finally winning Albany, you've given the state government back to the Republicans. (And to Pedro Espada, one of the most corrupt Democrats imaginable.)

It is unsettling that Pedro Espada stands in line to become governor should Patterson no longer be able to serve. So why doesn't Patterson use this as an opportunity to appoint a lieutenant governor? And why hasn't he done so already?