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Rensselaer County Taxpayers Association

January 1998                                                                                                                                                     Volume 3, Number 1

What else! We wish everyone health and happiness in the coming year and believe in the old sage who holds that a brighter tomorrow is in the offering, it was ever thus.

In his second inaugural address, President Clinton called for a new Constitution. He cleverly used the language from the Declaration of Independence where, in 1776, Thomas Jefferson offered to the new Colonies’ representatives a plan that became our present government, as finally adopted. Clinton however, came up with the statement that, "we need a new government for a new century." This new government would give new BENEFITS to the American people. Such arrogance! There’s nothing wrong with our present government, it’s the politicians, where the trouble lies. This shows the thinking of the liberals who talk "New World Order" and "Global Commitments."

The scope of our foreign policy goes beyond what normal Americans feel is necessary to keep our Nation secure. What true business is it of ours, to go to Somalia (26 Americans slaughtered), Haiti, Bosnia, Liberia, etc.?

It seems, we are hamstrung to act on our own to do anything without getting approval from the United Nations, NATO, The European Community or the Third World. The domestic Left Wingers are leading us into the abyss of socialism, not only in the global sense (the greenhouse garbage), but domestically by instituting more restrictive rules, regulations and unnecessary taxes than are required. The gradual encroachment into our freedoms must be vigorously opposed.

The light at the end of the tunnel is a wave of Conservatism which will hopefully return us to the sanity which our forbears proscribed.

When it comes to shame, according to "For shame, Mr. D’Amato … and Mr. Clinton," (Times Union, Oct. 10^th editorial) let’s not overlook Reps. Michael McNulty and Sherwood Boehler. Both congressmen were opposed to a bill that would provide school choice tuition subsidies (vouchers) to 2,000 pupils from low-income families in the District of Columbia. The measure passed by a 203-202 vote with House Speaker Gingrich’s deciding vote.

Readers, especially professional educators, may be interested in one study of Cleveland’s first-in-the-nation experimental school voucher program. The results of a Harvard University evaluation, according to Steve Forbes, editor-in-chief of Forbes (Oct. 13), were "stunningly positive." Participating students’ test scores were meaningfully higher, and parents were overwhelmingly satisfied.

The bottom line is that children receive a better education when schools are accountable to parents. Preparation for the future of all our children is too important. It must not be left solely in the hands of teacher unions whose primary goal is economics, by maintaining the school monopoly over K through 12 education. Additionally, the use of vouchers will provide competition that will serve to strengthen our public schools systems.

In line with common knowledge and continuing Police Reports, the disruptive behavior of too many students goes on unabated in our public schools. Teens driving around at excessive speed, running stop signs, etc. graffiti, rowdyism, and assaults are obvious evidence of a lack of discipline and could be the result of an absence of a responsible attitude on the part of our school officials. Parents and academics blaming one another have aggravated the situation to no avail.

We have seen the tragedies in close by localities of teens drinking and driving. They are not only putting themselves at risk but innocent people as well. Primary attention of our academia on bloated budgets, excessive salaries and phony social programs produces nothing tangible.

The good will of the parents and the public must be earned by honesty, integrity and sincerity of purpose above all else. Liberal pronouncements from Washington are the main problem. If the basics are ignored nothing useful can be accomplished. The 3 R’s are #1.

Contrived local appeals for more funds and donations for superfluous reasons negate the true purpose of education, which is to build character not cater to surface enticements or unearned rewards.

Back in the 1920’s Henry Ford recommended the use of ethanol in the autos which he was building. By the 30’s there were some 3,000 gas stations selling ethanol throughout the west. Then "Big Oil" became really big. They were selling their products at such ridiculously low prices that they forced the ethanol industry out of business. WW II came and "Big Oil" took off.

We did not hear much about ethanol again ‘til the so-called oil shortage of the 70’s. By that time "Big Oil" was in complete control. Their contributions to office holders, control of research facilities, influence on radio, TV, newspapers and magazines was gargantuan. They were not about to let a little "David" grow up to a point where he could threaten their "Goliath."

But now the time has come. The Administration is bleeding all over the carpet over the alleged "global warming" issue. They see a political issue in this. If they can panic enough citizens, and the media moguls, seeing an opportunity for another "crisis" are only too willing to contribute to this call for panic, then they can ride the crest of this new Tsunami and waving their banners tell the befuddled people to, "follow them." They, the leaders of their government, will "save them." And "Big Oil" is right in there supporting the call to panic. Why? Because this will result in higher oil costs for less oil use. A very nice position for them to be in. They will still control the game.

Where does ethanol, not methanol, mind you, but ethanol, come in? Right here. Ethanol is a renewable resource fuel. This means that, unlike oil or coal, fossil fuels which will one day be exhausted, ethanol can be made as long as corn, sorghum, trees and certain grasses can be grown and garbage can be fermented. It burns cleaner than fossil fuels, does not adversely affect the ozone layer as some people claim fossil fuels do and will provide thousands of new jobs.

All modern automobiles will operate on a mixture of ethanol and gasoline and such use is covered under the manufacturers warranty. So, why aren’t we using it more? Talk to your Legislator, ask him. We can’t match "Big Oil’s" contributions or influence over the media, but we can keep talking it up ‘til our Legislators finally recognize the facts of life.

Our state exports 30 billion dollars a year on oil based energy products. Can you imagine what our economy would be like if we could keep just 30% of that expenditure right here, at home?

Never A Year In Which Combined Taxes Went Down!

People do not generally contribute large amounts of money to public officials’ election campaign funds because they feel generous. They do so because they want something in return. Usually a great deal more than they contributed.

Who pays this money? The taxpayer. There is no such thing as little innocent graft. The taxpayer pays and pays and pays for the rest of eternity. That is why the current campaign fraud is so vitally important. It is not a question of amending the contribution laws so that past practices can not be repeated. It is clearly a case of prosecuting those who have violated existing laws. If we do not prosecute existing violations then who is so simple to think that an amended law would be enforced?

Crying, "they all do it" cannot be accepted unless we are also told who and when. When has a president ever invited convicted drug dealers to the White House?

When have 36 members of a president’s associates announced in advance that they would take the fifth amendment if called to testify before a Congressional committee and when have these same persons fled the United States in order to avoid investigation?

When have memos and diaries by the thousands, been with held from such committees’ subpoenas, only to turn up months later in White House files or lying on tables? When have 900 confidential FBI files dealing with members of the opposite party been sequestered by a member of the White House staff? A person whom no one knows who or how they were hired?

When has the chief fund raiser of any political party been established in the Department of Commerce, given a top security clearance so that he would have access to our most confidential national and international secrets and then returned to the party’s national staff where he continued his "fund raising"?

When has a representative of a Chinese gun manufacturing company, controlled by the Chinese Army, been invited to the White House for a photo opportunity? When did any of our Vice Presidents ever attend gatherings of religious groups for the purpose of fund raising?

If you were president and were innocent of wrong doing what would your reaction to theses activities be? Would you be outraged and demand a thorough investigation or would you stone wall?

Republicans by the thousands told Richard Nixon that he had to tell the truth and he was forced from office. All for merely attempting to cover up a penny ante political burglary. It is time that we, as Americans, put partisanship aside and face the facts. It is the taxpayer, regardless of party, who pays.

Isn’t January 1, 2001 the turn of the century? If not, why not?
Clinton Heights Resident

What has happened to December 7^th Pearl Harbor Day? Our liberal media barely mentions it, if at all.
East Greenbush Resident

In a previous issue someone mentioned a "good luck" to Bingo City but cautioned about the possibility of a criminal element moving in. Good foresight.
Nassau Resident

Taxes in some areas are starting to level off. Keep up the good work. How about school taxes?
Schodack Resident

The buck goes round and round. John Q. Public wants more law enforcement. The police want tougher judges. The judges want laws they can enforce and the public is to blame for electing public officials who supposedly make the laws.
Averill Park Resident

Good luck to newly elected people. Let’s turn over a new leaf.
Clinton Heights Resident

A Nassau resident in a new house had extreme difficulty in obtaining final underwriters approval. Requirements were listed in a haphazard and untimely manner. The Niagara Mohawk representative also acted in an arrogant and unprofessional way.
Nassau Resident

We mourn the passing of Richard Beach, respected news reporter and analyst who served the Capitol District with dedication for more than two decades. His forthright approach, without bias, in telling it as it is - will be missed.

Did you hear about the fellow who mistakenly put a $10 bill in the Sunday collection basket and went around to nine other churches to make up for it?

Congressman McNulty has shown his true colors with his recent remarks concerning the flight of General Electric. Was he as critical of the federal governement for shutting down the Watervliet Arsenal? Then again, he is the federal government.

Billary and Hillary don’t worry about taxes because they don’t own anything. They got a free house, free car, free airplane, free food, free TV - CNN (Clinton News Network), free lawyer’s advice and free air to breathe except when Vice Perpetrator Gore is around.

Now that the election is over, we can settle down to worrying about the stock market, the weather, January taxes, spring and envying those who took off for Florida long ago.

Try to find the buck that politicians keep passing around to one another! They’ll try to tax you for it, if you come up with it.

A fellow is out in a raging blizzard in his underwear flailing his arms around. A neighbor sez "Hey! What are you doing out there?" He sez, "I’m throwing caution to the winds."

 Coming Attractions

• Next meeting, Tuesday, January 13^th, Town Hall, East Greenbush, 7 pm.
• Remember - Seniors file for your tax exemption!