Opinion

Every so often, I jot down a list of the things that discourage me about our country. There’s the widespread disregard for our core values of tolerance and mutual respect, for instance. Or our declining national optimism. There’s wage stagnation, income inequality, a high poverty rate, failing infrastructure, inadequate health-care coverage, a dysfunctional Congress … […]

You are ringside to one of the greatest political brawls in the history of this country. And chances are that we are only in its early rounds. You will likely witness more bruisings, knockdowns, and perhaps a knockout. Of course, I refer to the current Washington, D.C. slugfest over President Donald Trump. In Rounds 1

The economic-development programs touted by Gov. Andrew Cuomo have been vehicles of corruption, with certain individuals gaming the system to make a buck on the public dime. Such is the case with one of Cuomo’s former top aides, Joe Percoco, who was found guilty of accepting bribes, and Alain Kaloyeros, who will face trial for

We need this guy today. To fit us with clear lenses. He appeared years ago. When I sold my car, I ran an ad in the classifieds. It extolled the car’s virtues to no end. Described it as a dream of a vehicle — virtually unblemished. Perfection. He brought me down to earth. “Hey, mate.

I was chatting with a group of students the other day when one of them looked me in the eye and commented, “You’re very tough on journalists.” I had to plead guilty.  Of course, I’m tough on journalists. Maybe even as tough on them as they are on politicians.  Our representative democracy depends on journalists

A bill was recently put forward by a Manhattan lawmaker. Democratic Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal) that, if passed and signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, would do away with marksmanship, archery, and shooting programs in New York state schools. The bill would also ban gun-safety classes on school grounds by prohibiting the use of firearms as part of the

Politicians and commentators these Days like to point to an array of Threats to our constitutional system. There’s one, though, that doesn’t get nearly as much attention as it should: our national debt.  We may not yet be in imminent danger of fiscal collapse, but we’re moving into uncharted waters. We are among the most

Yes, our economy has improved. Hold your breath: it may improve more. Signs that it has improved include the following: Unemployment rates are at record lows in 14 states and the number of people drawing unemployment is the smallest since 1974. Not the percentage, but the number. We have twice the labor force today. Yet

Our republic is under stress. So much so, in fact, that if you’re not worried about its future, you probably haven’t been paying attention. What makes me say this? Our public discourse has become uncivil and shrill. Corruption and unethical actions by prominent politicians headline the daily news. Too many politicians make their mark by

My office recently invited people in the 120th Assembly district to participate in a legislative survey, and more than 800 people took the time to respond. The survey asked people their thoughts on the local economy, laws pertaining to drugs, child welfare, the SAFE Act, economic development, and health care.  Not surprisingly, in this unscientific