Senator Schumer’s shutdown surrenders.  Here is Guy Benson’s analysis of the last 60 hours that led Sen. Schumer to surrender to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.  The fact that the Associated Press and the New York Times rightly put the onus on Sen. Schumer may have helped him cave, that,  plus the numerous videos of Sen. Schumer singing a different tune in 2013 when the government shut down for 16 days. Or is it simply that he can read poll numbers.   Senator Schumer lost his first real chess game the to the chess master, hopefully the experience will force him to negotiate honestly with the master of negotiations.   

On another hopeful note, the “memo” is closer to being released.  This, however, is another indication that politics had a promenade role in the FBI investigation.  Fox News has more on this here.   With all of this being revealed, how can the College of William and Mary justify James Comey, who graduated from the public Virginia university in 1982 as a double major in chemistry and religion, as a professor of “ethical leadership’?   Should we worry about what kind of ethics, if any,  the students will learn?

Attorney General Jeff Sessions opines in the Washington Times on President Trump’s merit-based immigration system. 

Governor Cuomo:  Beware.  Aide’s corruption trial could sink Cuomo’s hopes for a 2020 White House run. 

The MTA needs an overhaul before the city funds subway fixes.

Nicole Gelinas is quite knowledgeable on transportation, and her latest column is 66% right.  The Good, the bad and the ugly is 2/3 correct, we do not see any good in congestion pricing.  Yes, NYC is almost impossible to drive in, but the $1.5 billion will never be raised (estimates to raise money are always inflated) and the cost to truckers alone will increase the costs of the goods being delivered.  Congestion pricing is not the answer to congestion in NYC, but it certainly is a way to drive businesses out of the city.  Does NYC really want to be the only city in America with congestion pricing? 

The Climate-Change Doomsday Just Got Canceled. 

Why Pro-Lifers Have Cause for Hope. 

One year into his administration, President Trump is the “Nobama,” methodically undoing the 44th president’s left-wing legacy. Elections do have consequences!

What word do you think best describes President Trump’s leadership in his first year in office? That’s the first question in our new Weekly Poll. 

One of the masterminds behind President Trump’s 2016 victory, Corey Lewandowski, will be joining us for our 51st Annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference (CPPAC), which starts January 28. I hope you’ll sign up and join us! 

President Trump is busy establishing a legacy of his own, especially in the realm of economic growth. Apple, hardly a conservative-aligned corporation, is the latest company to expand thanks to the Trump-GOP tax cuts. 

Compare that to the Cuomo legacy here in New York – punishing tax hikes, uncontrolled spending and economic suffering being felt across the state.

And while Andrew Cuomo champions the left’s radical abortion agenda, another Trump legacy already in the making is the advancement of the pro-life cause. His administration is moving to protect the pro-life consciences of health care workers, and he will be the first sitting President to address the annual March for Life (the real “march for women”) via live video feed. Now if our culture would just catch up and accept the science of when life begins. 

Here’s a simple yet important question: Why are you pro-life? That’s the second item in our new Weekly Poll. 

Now for a bombshell of a story that could break wide open any minute now: Will Congress #releasethememo? A new surveillance report is being described as “worse than Watergate” and could send people to jail – and all of this is on top of the Democrats’ Russian dossier scandal that just gets more and more outrageous. 

Republicans believe the American people should know what really happened, and I agree. If the memo is released, whose behavior do you think will be revealed as the MOST shameful? That’s the third and final question in our new Weekly Poll.

Have a great weekend! 

E. J. McMahon, always a favorite speaker at our annual convention, has an excellent column about Governor Cuomo’s big stealth tax hike on his NY Torch blog.  You can read it here. 

Bill Hammond, explains in his column in the NY Torch blog, how Governor Cuomo’s budget is going to increase the cost of your private health insurance to pay for government’s health insurance increased costs (partially due to the increased minimum wage).

There is good news in a new Marist Poll.  While 51% of the respondents called themselves pro-choice, 60 percent of them said they support limitations on abortions, such as backing a ban on the procedures after 20 weeks of pregnancy and opposing the use of tax dollars to pay for them.  Read more about the poll in the Daily Signal. 

More good news, this from Secretary Betsy DeVos, on the federal level, Common Core is dead.  However, unfortunately, here in New York City, the city Department of Education is a cesspool of cronyism.

Congress is completely wrong on this.

Thank you Apple, and to all the other companies that are investing in America and Americans again.

File this under “Know what your children/grandchildren are reading.”

And file this under “A straight-talking assessment of what President Trump said about those other countries.”

European leaders, facing growing public unease, toughen up on immigration.

And then there is this, The Democrats’ Dilemma: Immigration and the Welfare State. 

The Dangerous Supreme Court Case Nobody Is Talking About. 

The NY Post editorial opines on Cory Booker’s latest sad stunt. 

Flashback:  Rev. Jesse Jackson thanks Donald J. Trump for a lifetime of service to African Americans.

The NY Post editorial board assesses the Governor’s proposed budget simply:  Cuomo’s $168B budget is pure fantasy.    Tom Precious, writes in the Buffalo News  that Cuomo’s budget raises $1 billion in new taxes to pay for spending plans..  Politico New York, isn’t quite as realistic, but does point out the non-budget items in the Governor’s proposal, including, but not limited to: “the extension of tuition assistance programs to undocumented immigrants, extending the statute of limitations for victims of child sex abuse, reduce the state’s use of cash bail and reduce the giving power of limited liability corporations.” 

The Conservative Party is calling for a constitutional amendment in its 2018 Legislative Program that would prohibit non-fiscal items/issues to be included in the budget.  Government is divided into three parts for a reason; to prevent any one part to become too powerful.  By allowing the NYS Budget to have non-fiscal items/issues continue to be embedded in the budget, the Legislature is diminishing its own importance and undermines the very reason for its existence. 

E. J. McMahon outlines the loose ends in the Governor’s budget proposal 

The Daily Signal has a short synopsis on Right-to-Work, rather timely considering today’s press release.

There is a snowflake in the US Senate and he wants to be the president.  Where is his outrage on this? 

Joseph Curl reminds us that we had to explain much worse to our children when Bill Clinton was president.  Here are Larry Horist’s thoughts on the President Trump’s “salty” language.   

City Journal explains how the times have changed since Lady Liberty welcomed immigrants to Ellis Island. 

You think Democrats want to fix immigration? Dream on!

Government out of control:  This Man Gave Free Haircuts to Veterans and Got Clobbered by Regulators. 

BREAKING: President Trump to Address March for Life. 

Wednesday’s with Walter E. Williams. 

Who knew when EZ Pass debuted in 1987 that by 2017 EZ Pass would be the only method of toll collection in New York City, and that it would be used to charge you for driving in certain parts of Manhattan?  Big Brother is alive and well, isn’t he, Governor Cuomo.

Here is CBS-TV report on the Governor’s “Congestion Pricing” his budget calls for with more details to follow later this week. The CBS-TV report leaves out how the Governor plans to raise $1 billion in fees and taxes.  Fortunately, the Buffalo News gives us some information on that. 

Governor Cuomo:  please explain this debacle in DeWitt.   And while you are at it, will your budget protect the public or your own ambitions? 

In the past, Governor Cuomo called marijuana a gateway drug; now it appears he is considering legalization.  Governor, your craving to be president clouds your ability to protect the public, rather than protecting the public, you enable their poor choices so you can achieve your aspirations.  A strong leader would not sell out for a few more votes or a few more budget dollars.  A true leader would not hide behind a panel assembled to give him cover to do what he plans on doing; a supercilious leader would.

The Buffalo News ran this Bob McCarthy column on Sunday:  Giambra’s road to GOP nod for governor runs through Conservative leader.

Jay Cost opines in National Review that the return of earmarks won’t solve congressional  irresponsibility. 

Robert Knight writes about the deceitful road to abortion. 

Who ‘Dreamers’ Really Are and Why They Cost $26B Over 10 Years.

Myron Magnet, City Journal’s editor-at-large, writes an excellent column:  Trump to PC: “No More”.

The Daily Signal advises how Congress can rein in out-of-control spending. 

Another week, another liberal double-standard. Does the left have any standing to lecture anyone on vulgarity?

What’s really obscene is how the Democrats and their media friends assume every awful thing they hear about President Trump is true – even when it’s a poorly-sourced story that the President denies.

Lost in all this uproar is the fact that President Trump is actually trying to reduce health care costs, and he’s making sense about work requirements for Medicaid recipients.

In more silliness, this week we saw “Oprah 2020” ridiculousness come out of nowhere – her Golden Globes “me too” speech wasn’t even that great. Where does she stand? Does it matter? To me all the hoopla suggests that Democrats know they don’t have any compelling national leaders to guide the party into 2020 and that they lack any substantive ideas. 

For the first question in our new Weekly Poll, I’d like to know what you think is the biggest takeaway from the recent “Oprah for President” hysteria.

While everybody’s talking about Oprah and other such matters, let’s not allow Hillary to escape the limelight. There are Clinton scandals nobody is talking about, and ones that are getting more and more scrutiny. Here’s something for you to think about: How likely is it to you that Hillary Clinton will eventually serve jail time? That’s the second question in our new Weekly Poll. 

Finally, I was asked this week about marijuana legalization, and here is what I had to say. The Conservative Party opposes efforts to normalize pot, and I would like to know what you think –
what is the BEST reason to oppose marijuana legalization? That’s the third and final question in our new Weekly Poll.

Have a great weekend!
 

The NY Daily News article –  Fast food employers must let workers give portion of pay to nonprofit under City Council bill – explains how fast food workers are joining an advocacy group to get more benefits.  While is may only cost them an hour’s wages per month, was the fight about more money for the workers…and not an advocacy group.  Hold on tight, fast food is about to get a lot more expensive.

So disappointing:  Assembly speaker, lawmaker helped fund accused Sandy scammer’s defense.  The outrageous number of elected officials breaking laws is a very shameful statement on society.  But shame –  the painful feeling arising from the consciousness of something dishonorable, improper, ridiculous, etc., done by oneself or another – for the most part is non-existent today.  Except when the progressives want to excoriate those who dare to disagree with them.  Any doubt?  Read this. 

Mayor de Blasio likes to try and shame those who fail to see things his way. 

So does Governor Cuomo.  Both would rather belittle opposition, rather than do what would be best for everyone.  Instead of cutting spending across the board, Gov. Cuomo – and other democrats in blue states – look to gimmicks and loopholes to continue the wasteful spending of our money.

Governor Coumo, while you are whining and looking for gimmicks, take note of this:  The Tax Cuts And Jobs Act Of 2017 Is Already Delivering. 

Mayor de Blasio, don’t you think you should have checked on the serious problems – boilers in NYCHA – before increasing spending 200% on advertisements in the city?

Trickle-down economics…it is still working.

President Donald J Trump has more good news: The Trump dossier’s credibility is collapsing, ‘Arm-chair’ diagnosis of Trump unethical and irresponsible,  and some that won’t please him:  The GOP Must Win a Better Deal on DACA.

The Swiss are getting realistic. 

Get ready for the ad blitz!  Special interests are preparing to spend big bucks to inundate residents about the “perils” of cutting the budget – despite the fact that the budget is estimated to be $4 billion in the red.  If for no other reason, the Janus v. AFSCME decision, cannot come soon enough.    Of course, the Janus decision has much greater implications. 

Mayor de Blasio, aka Mayor delusional, is more involved with his leftwing, progressive agenda, than truly helping people who live in NYCHA which should be a priority.   Mayor de Blasio should stick to his responsibilities and leave the fiscal management of the NYC Pension System to the Comptroller of NYC.     Comptroller Stringer calls out mismanagement of NYCHA as making the heating problem worse.  Apparently, the State also had its NYCHA priorities up-side-down.

NYS budget expert, E. J. McMahon, gives a critical, yet realistic, analysis of the NYS GOP tax proposals. Mr. McMahon is one of our presenters at our annual CPPAC and is always willing to answer your questions on the complicated issue of the NYS Budget.  Click here for registration form.

Former Lt. Governor Betsy McCaughey who lets us know how Dems’ favorite health care ‘fix’ is a threat to your life in today’s NY Post, is also a presenter at this year’s conference.  Be sure you reserve your spot, you won’t want to miss our exciting lineup. 

Will Google fact-check our site?

Excellent opening statement by Tucker Carlson on President Trump’s DACA remarks.  The Washington Times looks at the meeting this way:  Trump showcases negotiating skills in unique immigration meeting.   Guy Benson calls the court ruling blocking Trump from rescinding DACA a lawless disgrace.

The Center for Immigration Studies released this report that shows staggering federal crime numbers committed by non-citizens from 2011 to 2016.  21% of those convicted of non-immigration crimes were non-citizens — 2.5 times their share of the population.  You can read more here.

Michael Goodwin shows his humorous side about a serious subject. 

John Stossel opines on punishing poor people. 

Wednesday’s with Walter E. Williams. 

The Daily Signal writes about the Clive Bundy Nevada land rights case and explains why Americans are right to fear government.  It is a good analysis of the overreach of government agencies, that fortunately ended without violence and all charges being dropped.  What should be added to this article, is a simple fact: the federal judge, Gloria Navarro, ruled on the law.  What would the results have been if the case came before an activist judge who interprets the law to make their case?  Kudos to Judge Gloria Navarro, who, incidentally, was appointed by Barack Obama. 

Bad news for Governor Andrew Cuomo:   NEW YORK IS UNLIKELY TO DEFEAT THE NEW FEDERAL TAX LAW IN COURT

Mayor de Blasio always shirks responsibility, always has a way to deflect blame, but, on NYCHA’s lack of heat, there is no excuse.  He has been Mayor for 4 years and has a responsibility, as does any landlord, to make certain that essential needs are accommodated.

Here is another millstone for Mayor de Blasio’s neck:  JHS80.  A school he says is improving, while teachers beg for help. 

The Supreme Court will rule on Janus v. AFSCME by the end of June and the ruling could have an enormous effect on politics in New York State.  The Empire Center explains the importance of this case here .  Watch this case, it could really change New York’s politics. 

The Daily Signal has an article on another problem,  the spending of union dues,  and encourages Congress to pass the Employee Rights Act . 

This will be another interesting case, should the US Supreme Court choose to hear it.   

You know a reporter/blogger can be trusted when they admit they have been wrong.  Larry Horist’s is one of a rare few who, not only admits he was wrong, but has written a column, Glad to be wrong: the story of Open Books.

Did Admiral Mike Rogers save the US from a massive constitutional crisis?  Read this.   Be grateful our Founding Fathers had an instinctive distrust for government and gave control of the new country to the citizens of the Republic. 

Guy Benson opines on the latest tax reform catastrophe…quite unlike Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi’s predictions.

More good news: EPA set to reduce staff 50% in Trump’s first term.  

The AP is reporting that President Trump suggests 2-phase immigration deal for ‘Dreamer.   

Our featured luncheon speaker, Corey Lewandowski, appeared on Fox News Sunday yesterday, to discuss the “complete fabrication” of the tell-all book, Fire, and Fury.  Mr. Lewandowski was an integral part of the Trump Campaign, while Michael Wolf was not.  Come and hear Mr. Lewandowski  at our 51st Annual CPPAC.  Click here for our registration form and if you are one of the first 100 responders, you will receive a copy of Let Trump be Trump, the honest, accurate NY Times best selling book, signed by co-authors, Corey Lewandowski, and David Bossie.

In case you missed this on Saturday, it is an excellent analysis of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s  proposal to study the feasibility of “a major shift” of New York’s state tax burden from individuals (who will be losing federal deductions) to businesses (which will be keeping them), via a new statewide payroll tax on employers.  Today’s NY Post follows up with and editorial:  Cuomo’s desperate bid to avoid the truth about New York taxes.   The editorial also reminds him of the wise words he once declared, “New York has no future as the tax capital of the nation.”

Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis had this to say in Saturday’s Staten Island Advance:  Tax bill hurts New York? Look to Albany, not Washington, governor. Assemblywoman Malliotakis is also scheduled to address our 51st Annual Conference in the Radisson Hotel Albany.  Don’t forget to register for our event.   

Larry Kudlow writes in the NY Sun:  Bannon Down, Market Up Signals the Resurgence Of Real American Populism.  

A Chicago Tribune editorial has some sage advice for big-spending politicians. 

This is a disgraceful decision by Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Lynn Kotler.  How will she respond if Timothy Wood falls asleep again and passengers die as they did in 2003?  Her term is up in 2019, if she runs again, will people remember how special interest outweighed common sense?

A lot of money that should be put to better use.

This is NOT how you drain the swamp, nor is it good policy. 

Law Enforcement Backs Sessions’s Ending of Hands-Off Approach to Marijuana. 

Robert Knight opines on the Unmasking the folly of ‘emperors.’

Ethics is missing in many liberal psychiatrists, and that is a dangerous precedent.

It’s a new year, but some things never change: global warming hysteria is still pervasive, the Democrats continue to become more radical, Albany is still rife with corruption and socialized health care still doesn’t work. 

Through it all, you can count on the Conservative Party to deliver good ideas and great speakers at our 51st Annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference (CPPAC), which we’re hosting this year on January 28-29. Here are the details – I hope to see you there!

No surprise here: Hillary Clinton is still crooked. Fortunately, the Trump Administration seems very determined to get to the bottom of all the Clinton Inc. corruption.

I think holding Hillary accountable would be a great New Year’s resolution for the Trump White House, but there are many other possibilities – from getting health care right and continuing to spark economic growth to defanging the United Nations, defunding Planned Parenthood and detecting voter fraud.

What do you think should be President Trump’s TOP New Year’s Resolution? That’s question #1 in our first Weekly Poll of 2018. 

Meanwhile the great American ideal of E Pluribus Unum – “Out of Many, One” – is being hijacked by Andrew Cuomo to push his left-wing agenda and his personal political ambitions. 

What do you think is the TRUE meaning of these words? That’s the second question in our new Weekly Poll. 

Cuomo is the focus of our third Weekly Poll question as well: We know he wants the White House, but what’s the MAIN reason you would never vote for Andrew Cuomo for President? 

I look forward to your responses and to sharing my weekly insights with you throughout 2018. Happy New Year, and have a great weekend!