Opinion

Radical. Extreme; favoring fundamental or revolutionary change in current practices, conditions, or institutions.   When I Googled the words “Romney” and “radical” together, the metrics yielded 7.9 million views. When I Googled “Ryan” and “radical” together, the number of views rocketed to 25.3 million. I write this only three days after Governor Mitt Romney picked Congressman […]

A recent, important report from the State Budget Crisis Task Force discussed the many fiscal challenges facing state and local governments largely driven by the explosive growth of Medicaid spending, unfunded mandates, and underfunded public-pension liabilities, and other factors. The recent rise in New York’s unemployment rate to about 9 percent also provides further impetus

Dear Norm [Poltenson]:   After some time on the road, I spent last evening catching up on my reading. This included a few recent issues of The Central New York Business Journal. Your column, entitled “Somebody Else Built My Business” [in the July 20 issue], was truly a highlight. You did a superb job of

It was years ago when my wife and I were having dinner with cousin Shelly. At some point, the conversation turned to the economy and the role of business. Shelly informed me that America was built on the back of government and the faithful bureaucrats who toil in anonymity, those who taught our children and

President Obama took us on a journey recently. He took us back to our founding. To the arguments made by our founding fathers when they revolted against England. He did so when he said, “If you’ve got a business, you didn’t build that.” He explained that others contributed — especially government, with infrastructure.  This has

If you do not live in a “swing state,” the candidates for the White House don’t want to know you. I guess that is a bit harsh. They do want your money. For their campaign war chests. But more than that? Fugettaboutit. They will not be running their campaign commercials in your state. They will

Young people, pay homage to the most recent heroes. Emulate them. Follow in their footsteps. Learn to cheat, and someday the rest of us may honor you.  That seems to be the message lately. Recently, New York Congressman Charlie Rangel won his primary election (although as of press time that victory was in question as

On May 30, the New York State Thruway Authority voted to hike tolls by 45 percent on certain trucks, the first step in its toll-hike approval process. If approved, the increase would lead to fewer jobs, a weaker economy, and higher prices for New York consumers.  The proposed 45 percent toll increase will make it

As old and jaded as I am, government never fails to amaze me with its bureaucratic rigidity and disregard for the taxpayer. E.J. McMahon, of the Empire Center for New York State Policy, just highlighted yet another example of government waste and regulatory idiocy. Last summer, Poughkeepsie’s Fallkill Creek sustained damage from flooding caused by