Well, Mayor de Blasio admits his NYCHA Chairwoman Shola Olatoye failed to conduct thousands of required lead paint inspections on his watch and knowingly filed a false report, yet his spokesperson said, “Mayor de Blasio continues to have full confidence in Chair Olatoye and her work turning around NYCHA. We do not believe there is any evidence that anyone intentionally made any misstatements to HUD.”   The Mayor’s statement sends the wrong message; essentially his administration does not have to perform at 100% and covering-up “mistakes” is perfectly acceptable.  Disgraceful message; Mayor  de Lusional is living up to his new nickname. 

After admitting just last month that it has been a bad 50 years for the upstate economy, Governor Cuomo’s  obvious pursuit of his next job has led him to embrace politically popular, economically harmful ideas in his current one.  Then there is this….More scrutiny for Cuomo’s economic development programs.   The Empire Center lets us know the private job gains have been weak in NY.  

Pope Francis should stick to theology  and leave the climate to scientists – who are divided on the issue.     Podcast: The Inanity of Climate Change Activists Protesting Trump

Through God, This Mississippi Boys School Is Working to Heal the Racial Divide. 

Mona Charen makes a good point (or two) in her column the uses of disgrace.

Seriously? Menendez Plays the Race Card After Judge Declares Mistrial in Corruption Case; UPDATE: Faces Ethics Probe?

House Passes Tax Reform Bill — 227-205

Robert Knight writes how the Bergdahl liberals blur line between honor and dishonor. 

Donald Devine opines on  the bureaucratic incompetence of the FDA. 

Today’s NY Post editorial states that a new bombshell report on the Housing Authority indicates that Mayor de Blasio is MIA.  “The city Department of Investigation report accuses NYCHA of failing to conduct required lead-paint inspections — and then lying about it to federal officials. Those inspections are meant to see that young kids aren’t at risk for lead poisoning.” (Read the full report here.)  Unfortunately, this was not the first time NYCHA was careless under the de Blasio Administration, it was the fourth time in two years.  What is even more pathetic is that Mayor de Blasio just coasted to another four-year term.  New York City residents:  Brace yourselves for more reports like this.   ” Mayor de Lusional” believes he has a mandate, is untouchable and can do everything he sets out to do. 

Less prisoners, higher costs in NYC.   The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the costs have gone up 44% in the last decade while inmate numbers declined by 30%. “City officials say that money is being well spent on skill-development programs for inmates designed to help them readjust to society after they are released. A Department of Correction spokesman noted $93 million in funding Mayor Bill de Blasio has invested since fiscal 2016 for such programs and job training.”  More of your hard-earned dollars being used for programs to help others while you struggle to help you and your family.   

 Investor’s Business Daily asks the question:  Will Justice Investigate Hillary Clinton’s Crimes In Uranium One-Fusion GPS Scandal? It Should. Meanwhile, Shepard Smith has created a hornet’s nest when reporting on Fox News that conservatives were misrepresenting Hillary’s role in the Uranium One deal.  Read Guy Benson’s analysis of the Uranium One deal here.  

New Yorker’s voted for President Ronald Reagan twice (and still revere him) ;  Hear his argument for eliminating the state and local tax deduction.   It is therefore not surprising that Mick Mulvaney fiercely defended the elimination of state and local tax deductibility in the federal tax overhaul, saying the White House can’t be blamed that people are fleeing New York because of high taxes.  It certainly does not help when the state taxes you when you die.

New Yorkers are right to fume over the Tappan Zee’s new name. 

Wednesday’s with Walter E. Williams

E. J. McMahon explains a simple fact in his column Right Point, Wrong data;  New York State is dangerously over-dependent on taxes generated by a relatively small handful of very high-income taxpayers.  His numbers show how a loss of only 10% of high earners could really put New York’s economy in a tail spin. 

The Daily Signal compares the House and Senate tax bill. 

Warren L. Coats, Jr., is an economist specializing in monetary policy and has this to say about the current tax proposal. 

Richard W. Rahn has more information and charts on the tax proposal in the Washington Times.   Stephen Moore, also opining in the Washington Times, reminds republicans how important it is to extend the Budget Control Act of 2011, the best weapon against runaway federal spending in 30 years?

Two articles discuss  that  the Supreme Court will hear a case on whether California Pro-Lifers have to promote abortion,  one article in the Daily Signal, the other in National Review. 

Life News reports,– albeit the case happened in Belgium, but if Physicians’ Assisted Suicide is adopted in New York, it could also happen here, — how a “doctor” euthanized a healthy woman aged 64 who suffered from mental health problems.  What kind of “doctor” would euthanize a woman because she was depressed? 

The Daily Caller writes that nonprofits unapologetically accepted millions in ‘Blood Money’ from opioid profiteers.  It is an interesting, yet sad commentary on one family that donates opioid profits, not to organizations that would help the addicted, but to feel good “community free days,” sponsored by the Sackler Institute at the Dia Art Foundation.  Would the participants enjoy the day knowing it was funded by opioid drugs?

Yesterday, we linked to an article on New York City’s campaign finance laws, today we offer Larry Horist’s article on the Federal Election Commission, a bad idea made worse over time.  Both of the articles should make it perfectly clear that public campaign financing is a complete waste of our taxpayers’ money.  

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney has a great idea for corrupt federal employees:  stripe their pensions.  New Yorkers like that idea as evidenced by the overwhelming support for statewide proposal 2 passed on November 7. 

Careless mistakes cost NYC $26 million.  Since New York City does not have its own money, it costs the residents $26 million. 

Some members of the NYC Council are balking at the Mayor’s reckless drive to keep choking small businesses.

Remembering the Birth and Rise of Modern Conservatism, we just want to remind you that Arnold Steinberg’s great book, Whiplash! From JFK to Donald Trump, a Political Odyssey, would make a terrific Christmas present to a person who enjoys history and the conservative movement. 

Nicole Malliotakis’ campaign manager, Leticia Remauro, had an election post-mortem in the Gotham Gazette over the weekend.  You can read it here.  Also noteworthy is the fact that Nicole is approaching 36 thousand in total votes on the Conservative line while Joe Lhota received slightly under 25 thousand four years ago.  Nicole’s vote is over a 40% increase in the votes cast on line the Conservative line.   Her Conservative Party total vote was the highest on the Conservative line since John Esposito in 1981.  He ran solely on the Conservative Party line.  With the exception of the Giuliani and Bloomberg elections, her vote on the Republican line was the highest total since John Marchi in 1969.  Great run, Nicole, we are certain you have a very bright future in the political arena. 

Even Michael Goodwin’s column, while not mentioning Nicole, indicated that the Mayor’s percentage of win was the smallest winning margin in the top races.  As always, the rest of Mr. Goodwin’s column is excellent in his analysis of how the ex-DNC chair ruined Clinton’s chance at 2020.

Sunday’s NY Post editorial blasted the NYC Campaign Finance system stating that “This system doesn’t lift up the powerless; it rewards the powerful. It needs major reform — or total repeal.”  We say total repeal…stop wasting taxpayers hard earned money. 

Nicole Gelinas explains in her column how the Constitution can’t protect underfunded public pensions.  A must read for those depending on public pensions and all New Yorkers.

Gregory Bresiger wrote in Sunday’s NY Post that a new Tax Foundation study found NYC is the cigarette smuggling capital of the US.  We have had many articles on this subject Obviously this is a serious problem caused by the increase in cigarette taxes giving the black market a ready-made market while funding terrorist.  Shamefully, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance officials declined comment.

Carl Campanile wrote about the Governor’s budget shortfall — that he will try to make us pay for instead of cutting spending. 

Did you know that six state agencies retained outside counsel worth $1.9 million for federal probe?  Your tax dollars…used for outside counsel, not education, or fixing transportation or hiring more police/firemen to keep you safe.  When will you have enough of this waste? 

Democratic Assemblyman John McDonald says the video game industry needs tax credits to grow.  Seriously?  He is pushing a $50 million tax credit program for the video gaming industry.  Someone please tell me when it became government’s responsibility to hand out corporate welfare. 

Investigative Post writes that IBM is another Buffalo Billion letdown. 

More bad news for upstate: Schenectady will lose jobs as GE is set to cut $1 billion from their expenses.  NY taxpayers just paid GE $3.3 million for consulting work in May.   Have you had enough yet?  I wonder how much GE has donated to Governor Cuomo…a little research will find out.

The New York Times writes that Governor Cuomo is a master of the $50,00 fund raiser while he bypasses small donners. 

We have an administration that is bleeding taxpayers of every ounce of blood they have.  The lucky can move; the unlucky will pay and pay and pay until we make the necessary changes.  The November elections have started…get involved before it is too late. 

New York’s economy – The current administration is bleeding hard working New Yorkers of every penny it can.

One year after President Trump’s stunning White House win, liberals are still waiting for the apocalypse they predicted after Hillary’s defeat, still angry at voters and still in a fit of rage. The left had a good week at the polls, and yet they still rallied to “scream helplessly at the sky” in protest of President Trump. 

“Helpless” isn’t in the conservative vocabulary, and the Trump boom gives us plenty of reasons to cheer – so let’s turn this around on the left: What would you want to yell out to celebrate President Trump’s first year in office? That’s the first question of our new Weekly Poll.

Here is my take on this week’s election ups and downs here in New York – we had some great wins and some heartbreaking losses, and now it’s on to 2018 and our fight against Hollywood favorite Andrew Cuomo.

Nationally, the Democrats’ wins this week were a boost for the media and a wake-up call for Republicans in Congress – will they be energized to finally accomplish something? Tax reform is the do-or-die issue right now, but there are others – from repealing Obamacare to confirming President Trump’s nominees. 

What do Republicans in Congress need to do to get conservative and independent voters on their side for the 2018 elections? That’s the second question in our new Weekly Poll.

This week we saw the media’s stunning indifference to a violent attack on Sen. Rand Paul – plus lots of “blame the victim” theatrics from the liberals. Federal charges are now expected – can you imagine if the roles were reversed and a conservative attacked a Democrat senator? Do you think the media would be paying more attention? That’s the third and final question in our new Weekly Poll. 

Finally, I want to once again thank Nicole Malliotakis for her courageous fight against Bill de Blasio and the New York City liberal machine. She represented our conservative values with poise and principle, and I expect great things from her in the future. For right now, I encourage you to visit Nicole’s campaign Facebook page and thank her for leading the fight with us.

Have a great weekend!
 

Governor Andrew Cuomo has a real problem in addition to former staffers with upcoming trials.  Yesterday, on a conference call with the press, he continued to disparage those who dare to disagree with him.  You can listen here to what he said and the tone used when he spoke about the republican tax plan  and then defended the tax burden in New York State.  Then he went on to say there are no more Rockefeller republicans, that this (the Republican Party) has been taken over by extreme conservatives.  “They’re against a woman’s right to choose, that doesn’t sell in New York. In the midst of all of this violence, they want to roll back the SAFE act that I passed, the smartest gun safety legislation in the nation, and they want to roll it back. You stand with this president, who wants to savage New York on state and local deductibility, savage this state on health care. They are out of touch. They don’t know who New Yorkers are and what we value.”  Governor Cuomo would have you believe that he promotes diversity and celebrates every New Yorker; his problem is that, by his own words, he does not.  Mario Cuomo must be rolling over in his grave, and he was a man that didn’t agree with our philosophy either, but, did not publicly mock those who disagreed with him. 

The battle for the stars; How states use your money to lure Hollywood.  “The industry spends heavily on campaign contributions and lobbying to make its presence felt in state capitals. In New York, Gov. Cuomo has received $860,000 from contributors in the Los Angeles area involved in the industry, including $60,000 from studio executive Jeffrey Katzenberg and $60,000 from Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw. From in-state studios, Cuomo also received nearly $400,000 — including $125,8000 from the owners of Steiner Studios in Brooklyn and $110,800 from NBC Universal.”

Leading Republican considering 2018 run against Cuomo not fazed by GOP’s Election Night losses.  Part of what Harry Wilson said is “…He said a cloud is hanging over Cuomo, who is expected to seek a third term. Potential pitfalls for the governor, Wilson said, include a worsening state deficit, upcoming political corruption trials involving some of his close associates, mass transit problems, and a “failing” upstate economy.”

The NY Post editorial opines on New York’s coming budget crisis. 

Will de Blasio stand up for the NYPD now?

Mayor de Blasio still thinks he has a mandate, Politico New York, has an article explaining he does not have a mandate and also that people feel free to ignore a lame duck. 

The Washington Free Beacon runs an article on how George Soros continues to quietly pile up wins in District Attorney Races.  It mentions he was pushed millions in DA races in Florida, Illinois, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and New Mexico, but failed to mention the 2004 DA race in Albany County, NY.  George Soros is doing his utmost to destroy America from the inside…and his plan is working and has been for quite some time. 

Investor’s Business Daily opines that the GOP loss was a real wake-up call, and asks if they will answer it. 

Jonathan S. Tobin says shunning Trump isn’t the answer for republicans.  

Donald Devine, senior scholar at the Fund for American Studies, opines in Newsmax on the Manafort indictment.

Staten Island, the county that knows Nicole Malliotakis best, gave her 70.71% of the vote cast.  Staten Island also turned out 32.76% of their eligible voters, while the overall city turnout was approximately 23.77%.  Kudos to Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis for a campaign well run.  Rest assured, you have not heard the last of Nicole who has a bright political future. 

What is difficult to understand, is why such a low turnout.  New York City has over 5 million eligible voters and just slightly more than 1 million came out to vote.  If Mayor Bill de Blasio thinks he has a mandate, he is quite mistaken.  Mr. Mayor, you may tout your 66.16% win, but the reality is you garnered 14.37% of those eligible to vote for you, essentially 85.63% people did not support you. 

Voters across the state overwhelming turned down the opportunity for a Constitutional Convention, every county in New York state said NO to the Con-Con.  Who said opposites couldn’t work together for the common good.  Statewide Proposal #2, allowing for forfeiture of a pension for certain felonies related to officials work, passed comfortably, without quite as many votes.  Statewide proposal #3, while rejected by NYC Voters, squeaked by with the help of upstate New York.  (It came as a surprise to me that downstate rejected Prop 3, since they are always calling for more environmental concessions.)

I wonder if Gov. Cuomo will take a page from Hillary and  be unable to find what the prosecutors want? 

Livingston County had a big win…an enrolled conservative, Michael Falk, ran on the conservative line alone and beat the gentleman who had the republican and democratic lines.  Great win, Jason McGuire. 

Donna Brazile’s bombshell book coverage, did nothing to harm the democratic name, in fact,  the democrats regained some of their momentum.   If Republicans deliver, it won’t last long, if they fail, for whatever reason, last night was just the beginning of a long Republican draught.  And they will only have themselves to blame.  Republicans must realize that they have to overcome two fronts – not delivering on promises and they must be above reproach on ethical matters.  Conservatives and some independents, who put republicans in control, expect both and if they fail, the media will gleefully report their failures.  Something the media fails to do when it comes to democrats.  Here is Guy Benson’s take on last night’s elections. 

The Daily Signal tell us how to respond to those who want to ‘Do Something’ after Texas shooting.  

Podcast: Half of Millennials Would Prefer to Live in Socialist or Communist Country.  Isn’t it time to teach real, not revisionist history and stop indulging our children’s every whim? 

Wednesday’s with Walter E. Williams. 

Have you exercised your civic right and responsibility to vote?

 The Conservative Party recommends a

NO Vote on statewide proposition #1

Yes Vote on statewide proposition #2

Yes Vote on statewide proposition #3

 Send a message to elected officials by casting

your votes for local races on the Conservative Party line.

Special prosecutor, Robert Mueller, has a leak problem.   

Michael Goodwin’s Sunday column, New York Times’ coverage of Mueller is peak liberal bias, was brilliant and included today in case you missed reading it.  It begins with “A friend likens The New York Times to a 1960s adolescent who refuses to grow up.  In a perpetual state of outrage, it is a newspaper of college snowflakes who embrace all forms of diversity except thought,” and gets better with each succeeding paragraph. 

David Keene opines on Donna Brazile’s book, Hacks. 

Perhaps the best headline today –  election day – is this  ‘The Clintons are done in politics’ an article by Jennifer Harper in the Washington Times who is quoting Fox Business Network anchor, Stuart Varney. 

How does one go from “grossly negligent” to “extremely carless”?  Don’t you want to know why James Comey made the change and why he reached his conclusions two months prior to interviewing Ms. Clinton.

Ramesh Ponnuru, explains in National Review online, why gun control loses. 

Rich Lowry writes about the heroes of Sutherland Springs. 

This Daily News article gives the reader an insight to the just a portion of the problems associated with public campaign financing.  What it leaves out is how candidates can (and do) hire relatives and purchase equipment with your tax dollars. Knowing public funds are available allows candidates to disregard fiscal prudency and will make it more difficult to have them understand the absolute need for being fiscally responsible. 

More bad news for New York State taxpayers as state revenues sink even deeper. 

NY Governor Cuomo SLAMS Praying For Shooting Victims: ‘We Have Pastors, Priests And Rabbis To Offer Thoughts And Prayers’.  As Ben Shapiro notes, This is deeply insulting and deeply ignorant.  I really am flabbergasted that Gov. Andrew Cuomo twitted this.  Shameful.  

Tomorrow the Polls are open from 6:00 AM until 9:00 PM.  Click here to find out where to vote.  Don’t forget to turn the ballot over (except in Chautauqua County) for the statewide and local propositions that are on the ballot.   The Conservative Party recommends a NO vote on Proposition 1, a YES vote on Proposition 2 and a YES vote on Proposition 3.   Exercise your civic duty and VOTE tomorrow. 

Here are some articles you may have missed over the weekend on the NYC Mayor’s race.  Nicole’s campaign is energized. All the reasons you shouldn’t vote for de Blasio; More Pay-to-Play; Supporters,   and city officials support Malliotakis at lunch rally. 

Seriously, Mr. Mayor?  Don’t you seen the problems in doing this?  I guess after all the other ethical questions in your administration, this seems relatively minor.  Perception, Mr. Mayor. 

Do New Yorkers really want more of this:  A lunatic plan for city garbage.  Tomorrow is your chance to elect Nicole Malliotakis who brings common-sense solutions to the problems New Yorkers face. 

Or do New Yorkers want to continue the Mayor’s record on schools? 

The Manhattan Institute looks at Mayor de Blasio, the past and the future.

A Vote for Nicole Malliotakis is a vote for a better New York City.

Carl Campanile gives a downstate rundown on some of what is at stake in tomorrow’s elections. 

The Hill gives a rundown on some national races of importance. 

The Daily Signal proves again that voter fraud is real. 

Robert Knight writes in the Washington Times about how in its push to ‘cure inequality’ the left busily destroys traditional values. 

The Daily Signal writes that the Diversity Visa is bad, but the real problem is homegrown terrorism.

Surprise, Surprise:  Hillary “It is NEVER my fault” Clinton and her team implies Donna Brazile is lying.   Here is Donna Brazile’s response.   Sen. Chuck Schumer’s response will really knock your socks off.  Did he really say that with a straight face?  And the Oscar goes to…Sen. Chuck Schumer!

President Trump is making America great again, and the American Dream is back!

As the Washington Examiner reports on new data by the Pew Research Center, “Three years after six in 10 Americans said their dream of a great life was unachievable, now 82 percent believe they’ve either achieved the dream or are on their way.”

How do you define The American Dream? That’s the first question in our new Weekly Poll.

To build on this momentum, President Trump and conservatives in Congress this week introduced the tax cut plan America needs – not a perfect plan, but a huge improvement on our current system. Here is a look at how individual Americans will benefit. Tax credits for illegal aliens and tax breaks for the NFL and pro sports stadiums are in the crosshairs – and this tax plan will make it impossible for Albany to hide the high taxes imposed on New Yorkers.

What do you think is the BEST reason to cut taxes and reform the tax code? That’s the second of our new Weekly Poll questions.

This week we saw that, even in a time of political divisions and partisanship, money-wasting ideas like the Constitutional Convention have the power to bring together people from across the political spectrum. I’m proud to say that the Conservative Party has led the way on this for the entire year.

This week we learned of Hillary Clinton’s hostile takeover of the Democrat Party, preventing Bernie Sanders or even Joe Biden from having a fair shot.  Compare that Clintonian gamesmanship to the leadership being shown by (to use one example) Nikki Haley, who continues to put the UN on notice that America is once again standing strong.

New York is fortunate to have another example of great conservative leadership in Nicole Malliotakis – if you live in the city, make sure you get out and vote for her!

Finally, the terror attack that shook New York this week – the 100th terror plot on US soil since 9/11, and one that could have been prevented.  I agree with the Daily Signal that we need to stop denying the obvious – radical Islam is the motivating factor behind terrorism as we know it.

There are many ideas for how to make the country safer in the wake of this latest attack – from ending the diversity lottery program championed by Chuck Schumer to more vetting of those entering our country to putting the death penalty and Gitmo on the table.

What do you think is the BEST way to prevent future terrorist attacks like the one New York City just experienced? Give your answer to this third and final question in our new Weekly Poll.

And have a great weekend!

Here it is, all 429 pages of the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” Bill, HR 1 released today.  Fox Business News gives us their analysis here.  Katie Pavich examines it here.  President Trump announces that Broadcom Limited is coming home.  The Washington Post calls out the Senate Dems’ take on GOP tax plan. 

The Daily Signal gives us their quick analysis of the GOP Bill here. 

Guy Benson has an explosive column in Townhall.com ‘s articles based on Donna Brazile’s own words.

Hillary: That Dirty Russian Dossier on Trump That We Lied About Paying For Was Just Opposition Research.   Isn’t this in direct conflict with Donna Brazile’s memoir?  “Oh, what a tangled web we weave. When first we practice to deceive,” Sir Walter Scott certainly had some astute insight long before today’s political players came upon the scene. 

Ed Rogers writes about that the Democrats addiction to the race card is suicidal. 

David Keene has a keen article in the Washington Times.

George J. Marlin’s latest:  US Pledges Funding to Save Iraqi Christians — But Must Act Now

The Daily Signal wants to know what can be done to stop vehicle terrorist attacks.

Science is winning.  Young Americans are pro-life. 

Did you miss the final NYC Mayoral Debate?  You can watch it here, if you missed it.  Watch it first, then read the news coverage of it, here, here, here and here.  Aren’t you glad you watched it for yourself?  Encourage your friends and family to do the same by forwarding this paragraph to then. 

John Moody, Executive Editor for Fox News, speaks for many of us in this opinion piece:  New York terror attack — We’ve seen the face of evil but our politicians want us to look away

Jim Geraghty writes in National Review about what did and didn’t cause yesterday’s terror attack.

New regulations fortify New York City as immigration sanctuary.  But you can change them with a change in New York City’s Mayor and changes in the City Council.  VOTE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7. 

Get out and Vote for Nicole Malliotakis.

Michael Goodwin asks the question:  Do NYC voters care about corruption? We’re about to find out.   You can make a difference in New York City…

Get out and Vote for Nicole Malliotakis.

The Manhattan Institute on the Halloween Massacre.  City Journal has more on the Halloween Massacre  The New York Post editorial says New Yorkers’ spirit won’t be broken by latest terror attack.  Mr. Mayor, we are not anti-Muslim…we are anti-ISIS, anti-Jihadist and most importantly we are Americans who love our freedoms and the people who share our ideals and values.   NYC ISIS Terrorist Was Known to the Feds…And He Has Friends.

Get out and Vote for Nicole Malliotakis.

The New York Times agrees with the New York State Conservative Party:  Vote no on the Constitutional Convention.  If you read the whole editorial, at the very end, it appears that not only does the NY Times say no to the Con-Con, it hints that the NY Times could supports term limits when it states “…New Yorkers have it within their power, at the polls every two-years, to demand a full Albany housecleaning.  There is no need to wait for a plebiscite every other decade – and no compelling reasons now for a costly convention with dubious prospects for essential change.” 

State Vice Chairman Ralph Lorigo, has produced this TV commercial for the 2017 election cycle.  Kudos for a job well done.  (Click on the downloaded file.)

Former Lt. Governor Betsy McCaughey writes about the deadly myths of the opioid epidemic.  David French, writing in National Review, has another proposal for breaking the Opioid crisis – repair the family.

Wednesday’s with Walter E. Williams