The Albany Times Union actually has a positive op-ed piece on hydrofracking titled "Promise of natural gas key to future."

The general public should be happy that occasionally we can see the Wizard behind the curtain.

So does Larry Schwartz's statement mean that only the Governor can play politics with Casino gambling expansion?

Bet he has more than enough to keep non-essential programs running.

Sen. Tom Coburn, MD explains where the waste is.... again.

Seriously?  Look we all respect the fragile ecosystem of the ocean, but to scrap a $277M Naval warship so a coral reef isn't damaged really needs cooler heads to come up with another solution. 

When is the main stream media going to cover the fact that the NLRB is operating illegally?  If it were President Bush that had made the illegal appointments that is all we would have heard and read about until they were undone.

We've seen the President golf, buy books, buy ice cream, and drink a beer, but have you ever seen a photo of him skeet shooting?  Neither have I.


Larry Elder writes a History Lesson.

Larry Kudlow finds the silver lining.

Artur Davis on Reaching the Valleys.

The Heritage Foundation has a very reasonable statement on Immigration and one that certainly reminds our legislators that we are primarily a county based on the rule of law and we do not reward those who break our laws.  The National Review is also on record regarding our rule of law and immigration.  Their article sums up a very good reason why Republicans in Congress should think twice before they consider supporting another amnesty bill.

Mark Styne sounds off also.

Senator Skelos denounces Governor's plan to radically expand abortion in New York State.

Chairman Long on YNN.  (You will need a TWC ID [subscriber to Timer Warner] to access video)

NYC Comptroller John Liu's troubles are mounting.

Nicole Gelinas writes about big spending Mayor Bloomberg.

What  President Obama's regulations are costing us. 

File this under big time wasteful spending and this belongs in the same place.

Government makes it possible to be unemployed and we are all going to pay the price.

States that show economic growth have something in common.  Do you think New York will ever follow suit?

Wednesday's with Walter E. Williams and a bonus Thomas Sowell article.

If you missed our 46th annual conference, CPPAC, Chairman Mike Long will be on Capital Tonight on Time Warner's YNN at 8:00 PM and repeats at 11:30 PM.   You can read about Sunday's portion of CPPAC as covered by Jimmy Vielkind here and Ken Lovett from the Daily News covers us here.  
We will let you know when we have CPPAC on line for your review.

E. J. McMahon writes about the threat to pension solvency. On Saturday, the NY Post carried this article, Gov's hidden perils,  by E. J. McMahon.

The more you tax it, the less they will use it, was the reasoning for higher cigarette taxes.  We will resist saying "told you that wouldn't work" but it certainly hasn't, has it?

The Wall Street Journal on Obama's Abuse of Power.  And a follow up article "Courts?  Who Listen's to Courts?"  This certainly begs the question, why then should anyone abide by the law of the land, when the President of the United States blatantly disregards the rule of law.

Dennis Prager on the President's Inaugural Address.

The Heritage Foundation opines on Sen. John Kerry becoming the new Secretary of State.

Tuesday's with Thomas Sowell.

Weekly Wrap-Up

Two terrifying words: Obama Unbound.

That means gun control unbound (and usually unfounded)...

Environmental extremism unbound...

The Welfare State unbound...

Regulations unbound...

America’s retreat from the world and the war on terrorism, unbound – a policy perfectly articulated by Hillary Clinton’s “What difference, at this point, does it make?” response to questions about Benghazi.

And tax increases unbound – and especially Chuck Schumer unbound, as he seeks to capitalize on the Democrats’ recent “fiscal wins” by taking even more and then even more money from taxpayers...

More proof that “wins” for the liberals mean big losses for the American people.

All of these policies are destructive, but which part of the Obama Agenda do you find MOST dangerous, and deserving of the MOST attention from the Conservative Party this year?

Vote in  our new weekly poll to give your opinion.

For New Yorkers this Big Government bonanza is a double whammy – because we have our own unbound “progressive” crusader in Andrew Cuomo.

England offers an alarming look at what happens to citizens when the government is given virtually unchecked power.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade – abortion unbound, if you will. As The Heritage Foundation points out, “Since the Supreme Court’s decision in 1973, an estimated 55 million abortions have been performed.”

Let’s end this with a good laugh – think you can tell who the New York Times’ writers voted for?

Have a great weekend!

"What difference does it make?"  What difference does it make, ask the families that Secretary Clinton.  Your presence on the Hill was worthy of an Academy Award and both Committees shirked their responsibility:  we, the American public, could have asked better questions without the self-serving statements.  Read John Podhoretz take on Secretary Clinton's testimony here. More on Clinton's testimony in the Washington Examiner here.

Keystone XL Pipeline is back in the news.  What will President Obama do this time since the recovery is officially the worst EVER!

This is an interesting statistic and another explanation as to why your taxes are so high.

In case your liberal friends do not understand the federal debt problem, let them watch this short video  I like to call Federal Debt for Dummies.

When did our form of government fall into the hands of ONE person and a person that has abdicated his responsibility for over three years?  Today's Heritage Foundation tells us about the urgent danger in the US Senate.

Ryan Smith:  The Reality That Awaits Women in Combat.

This from Bob McManus's column in today's NY Post regarding the NYS Budget: "Again, it’s a plan dedicated to his interests and not to the economic well-being of the Empire State."  The rest of the column can be read here.

According to Eric Kriss even the Governor thinks New York is in a tax hell. 

Parents beware.

Larry Elder explains why he cancelled his subscription toEbony.

Governor Cuomo's budget is public.  If you are a policy wonk,  or just want to know the numbers, you can read it here.  The NY Post has a short highlight of  the budget  here.   E. J. McMahon says the "pension thing is a gimmick" and we could not agree more.  You can learn more from E. J.'s take on the NYS Budget at our annual conference this Sunday and Monday.  (Hurry, you still have time to register:  www.cpnys.org for information and the form to register.)  The NY Post editorial wasn't very impressed with the budget proposal either.

It certainly seems as if Governor Cuomo thinks the 2016 Presidential race has already begun as he makes national news on his extreme abortion expansion proposal in New York.

The Heritage Foundation says it is time to balance the (federal) budget. 

Ambassador John Bolton's thoughts on Al Qaeda.

A recap on what happened September 11, 2012 in Benghazi.


First Secretary Clinton's transcript, then  the questions and responses here, and  here.

More from Fox Insider.

If you were President, would you be proud of this statistic?  Or this one?

What will they do with all the extra time on their hands?

Great, no it is an excellent column by Dennis Prager.

Wednesday's with Walter E. Williams.

Today is a heartbreaking day.  Almost 55 million babies have been aborted since Roe vs Wade became law 40 years ago.  Was one of the babies aborted the person who would find the cure for breast cancer?  Testicular cancer?  Aids?  Cerebral Palsy?  Multiple sclerosis?  Perhaps one of them may have found a way to eliminate famine or a more accurate way of predicting earthquakes.  We will never know.  Yes, today is not a day to celebrate, today is a day to mourn the loss of precious life.

Is anyone surprised about his progressive/liberal agenda?  Certainly not regular readers of this blog.  We are not surprised that President Obama reached out to his base and not the rest of Americans.  The Heritage Foundation has a good "translation" in case you missed the nuances in the address.

A good chart to show your share of debt.

Deroy Murdock had a good column in the NY Post on hydrofracking.

More on the gun control issue here, here, and here.

Bill O'Reilly says "Just Say Yes"

More on Benghazi. 

Tuesday's with Thomas Sowell.

Weekly Wrap-Up

In his bid to wow the left by punishing legal gun owners, Andrew Cuomo has made a laughingstock of New York State by turning cops into potential criminals. 

In case you missed it, here are stories from the New York Post and ABC7 in New York City (which was linked to a national audience by The Drudge Report).

As the Post notes, “Nearly every cop in the state may be carrying an illegal number of bullets in their service weapons under the rush-job gun reform pushed through by Gov. Cuomo and the Legislature.”

As I told the Post, police officers are in jeopardy right now unless they short themselves by three bullets.  It’s mind-boggling.  What’s also unbelievable is the Cuomo team’s response to all this. 

One Cuomo spokesman told the Post, “No police officer possessing ammunition clips with more than seven bullets is in violation of the law or guilty of any crime, period.”

But according to ABC7, “A spokesman for the governor's office called Eyewitness News to say, ‘We are still working out some details of the law and the exemption will be included, currently no police officer is in violation.’”

But if no police officer is in violation of the current law, what’s to work out?  Why is an exemption needed, if what the Cuomo spin team says is true?  

Keep in mind, Cuomo described this as “the best bill” designed to restrict the Second Amendment.  This is truly a gang that can’t shoot straight.

"This law is going to make this state a safer state," Cuomo said. Do you agree? Or do you think this bill is a politically motivated rush job that benefits no one but Andrew Cuomo? Vote today in our new Weekly Poll.

Even liberal news outlets in New York think Gov. Cuomo has gone too far with his latest gun grab.

Not that Washington’s doing much better.  The Obama Administration’s gun control edict includes taxpayer funding for anti-gun propaganda – or, “research” as the President prefers to call it.  

Here’s research from John Lott and The Heritage Foundation that Obama most likely will NOT bother to read.

In other news this week...

Gun restrictions are not the only regulations bearing down on Americans.  Regulating us to death is perhaps the one thing the Obama Administration is actually good at.

Think the New York City school bus strike doesn’t affect you?  Think again, says John Podhoretz.  

Have a great weekend!

Yesterday was Religious Freedom Day in the United States of America.  The President said so in is proclamation.  The very same President that has done more to curtail religious freedom in America, says in the proclamation that "Because of the protections guaranteed by our Constitution, each of us has the right to practice our faith openly and as we choose (emphasis added)."  As we choose?  Explain this statement to  Hobby Lobby, Mr. President. Or to the hospitals that do not want to perform abortions....Mr. President, please explain your proclamation and how it conflicts with your regulations. 

While you are explaining your proclamation, perhaps you can explain this also "Clarify that the Affordable Care Act does not prohibit doctors asking their patients about guns in their homes."  Why ask the question? 

Rick Perry sounds off on the President's proposals that trash the 2nd Amendment.

John R. Lott Jr. has a good column here. 

Read more on the Sandy Relief Bill here.  Not only is is laden with pork, the democrats in New Jersey made certain that "Project Labor Agreement" law was expanded to include Sandy restorations.

Why entitlements need to be reined in.  

In New York, localities need long term budget plan, says E. J. McMahon, who will be a guest speaker at our annual conference.  Don't forget to register at our website:  www.cpnys.org

Some Q and A on the law signed by Governor Cuomo less than an hour after it passed the Assembly.  However, as experts actually read the bill, the Q and A's on the bill may need to be reviewed.  During the Assembly debate yesterday, I clearly heard it said  that some Chapter Amendments would be needed as the bill language was not specific enough.  More on the  bill here, here and here. One of the few Republican/Conservative Senators who voted for the 2nd Amendment by voting against the bill is Kathy Marchione (who is scheduled to speak at our CPPAC conference) wants you to sign her petition to repeal and replace the restrictive new gun control measures.  Click here to sign the petition.  

Bob McManus has a great column in today's NY Post, it paints the real picture of Governor Cuomo.

Here is more proof that Governor Cuomo is  only about Governor Cuomo or do as I say not as I do.  The Legislature would be fools to pass his version of campaign finance reform, especially since there is no public outcry for campaign finance reform.  The only real cry for it is from left leaning editorial boards and Sheldon Silver and his entrenched buddies.  

President Obama is also shredding the 2nd Amendment.  Here is a list of his Executive Orders.  Flashback to what Vice-President Biden said in 2008.

Even Liberal Progressives are saying:  It's his (Obama's) debt now.

And he is adding more (at least $4.5 B)  with the latest Executive Orders on guns.  

Good advice from the Heritage Foundation. 

Wednesday's with Walter E. Williams  (Definitely one of his best columns.)

We are very disappointed in the New York State Legislature and the Governor of New York who issued a message of necessity to pass a gun control law that essentially makes criminals of ordinary citizens who believed they were protected by the 2nd Amendment.  Read the bill here and you can also find out how your legislator voted.  We have to ask -- why the urgency to ram this bill through the Legislature?  A message of necessity was not necessary and the Governor's reasoning for it was flawed.  The Bill had very little time to be examined and understood by Legislators and certainly no time for public input.  The Governor announced an agreement at about 8:00 PM and the Senate approved the package shortly after 11:00 PM for a bill that is approximately 39 pages long.

Chairman Long decries "political charade" of gun control. 

This Professor is teaching young minds and unfortunately there are many who think as he does that are also teaching.  Its time to rethink tenure. 



The problem with the press is so very evident in this headline.  Unfortunately, in today's society, many people read the headline and think the headline is reflective of the whole article.  Conservatives have a problem with legislative initiatives in a bill that should be for disaster relief.  The problem is adding legislative pork (that has little chance of passing) to a bill that is needed.  It wasn't Sandy Aid they are trying to chip away, it is the unnecessary spending but unless you read the whole article, you come away with the belief that conservatives do not want to help those who have been devastated by Sandy.  Nothing is further from the truth.

This chart is a real eye opener...

How the tune changes.....

Hopefully he will stand strong....

But again, the President doesn't care about Congress, as he is more than willing to not only trash the 2nd Amendment, he bypasses Congress by Executive Order.  

Tuesdays with Thomas Sowell. 

Will the NYS Legislature vote to limit your guaranteed Constitutional Right to own guns today ?   If they do, they may as well resign themselves to many very unhappy law abiding gun owning constituents.   Law abiding citizens are not the problem, and any legislation considered must recognize that fact.  Mayor Rahm Emanuel spoke about "legislation should focus on limiting criminal access to guns", with 506 murders in Chicago last year and the overwhelming majority by illegal guns, do you really think his proposal to prevent Chicago's pension funds from investing in gun companies is the answer to the violence in his city?  Seems to me that is the least of his problems. His focus should be on eliminating the Gangs in Chicago (this is how he also wants to eliminate guns as if this will keep guns out of the hands of gang members),  having an environment that creates jobs, bringing back values that respect life.  But all he says is lets stop using pension dollars in gun manufacturing companies.  As we have stated, whether  in Webster, New York, Chicago, Aurora, Newtown, the problem is not the inanimate object, it is the person who uses it and/or those who obtain it illegally.  The only way to end the violence is to treat the entire problem.

Do you thing Head Start has achieved its goals.  Read this, then ask yourself if its time to end the Head Start Program. More here from the Heritage Foundation.  Keep this in mind when the NYS Legislature wants to commit to universal pre-K and full time kindergarten as well as longer school days and a longer school year.  Just when you think you can get rid of wasteful spending, as out lined in the above report, you find funding buried in a  bill that is government's true responsibility.  (And pundits wonder why most Americans have a strong dislike for Congress...)

Did you know that arrogance is now spelled this way "President Obama".   Mr. President, the voters also kept a Republican Congress to keep a check on your agenda.   Mark Levin speaks for a lot of Americans here.

Didn't any other company qualify? 

Who said this? "In short, we must get control of the state’s credit card. It’s time to get serious about debt reform."  You  may be surprised. 

Weekly Wrap-Up

Is Barack Obama planning to go to work for the Journal News after he leaves office?

We’re starting to see what Obama meant when he promised Russia he’d have “more flexibility” after the 2012 elections, as CharlesKrauthammer points out.

But talk about flexibility – after two years of at least trying to pretend to be a “centrist,” Andrew Cuomo tilted all the way to the left in this week’s announcement of his run for the White – er, I mean, in the Stateof the State Address he delivered Wednesday, outlining an agenda that was quickly embraced without question by the New York Times (which should tell you plenty).

As I said after the State of the State speech (it was repeated on the Fred Dicker broadcast that Shaun-Marie posted yesterday), Andrew Cuomo seems to have metamorphosized into Mario Cuomo.

Fortunately there are a few news outlets who are not so blindly devoted to the Cuomo legend. 

In their response to the Governor’s speech the New York Post noted that “Cuomo’s heavily left-leaning, kitchen-sink agenda — and the near-hysterical manner in which he pitched it — seemed to mark a sharp turn in his two-year-old term.”

In what might be the understatement of the year, the Post warned: “For average New Yorkers, the shift may mean bad news ahead.” 

The liberals’ almost total control of New York has already given us an 8.3 unemployment rate and one of the highest tax burdens in the nation.  What do you think this new “progressive” push from Andrew Cuomo will mean for New York?  Cast your vote in our new Weekly Poll.

Here’s another understatement, this one from the New York Times: “How the state would pay for any new programs was not clear.”

Cuomo has pledged to not raise taxes, but as even the New York Times had to point out, that’s a promise he’s made and broken before.

What is clear is that we’ll be seeing a new and probably unprecedented (even for New York) push for gun control, which was front-and-center in Gov. Cuomo’s left-wing extravaganza.  The Conservative Party will soon be releasing a Legislative Memo on the Second Amendment.  Check our website (or your emails, if you’re on our list) for updates. 

And have a great weekend!

Governor Andrew Cuomo launches Presidential Campaign in his third State of the State Address.

The Albany Times Union, certainly not a center right paper, says "Cuomo Leans to Left", we say he's gone back to his roots.

The New York Times was certainly pleased by his return to his progressive (even wonder why liberal is now progressive) ideals. 

The Daily News quotes Speaker Silver's reaction to the State of the State "“I think he’s emphasized his own liberal, social agenda which he’s always had,” Silver said.  (A rare moment of honest in Albany!)

Hmm, we understand why Governor Cuomo believes he has not made a left turn, he is after all just promoting his true beliefs and pushing for women's equity.

Listen to what Fred Dicker said on his radio program about the Governor's third State of the State.

If Governor Cuomo gets his radical abortion law passed, New York's religions freedoms will go the same way  Obamacare is closing in on them on the federal level.  

Governor Cuomo and President Obama think alike. 

One of the problems in raising the minimum wage is outlined here. 

Are we facing a new recession?
 
Is it ironic that Senator Harry Reid's "secret amendment" in the Affordable Health Care Bill may limit the ability of the feds to collect firearms registration data?  Before New York State makes any changes to gun laws, they best be aware of what else may be hidden in Obamacare. 

Where we rank in Economic Freedom, once the leading nation, we are now ranked 10th.  This is President Obama's gift to Americans, I shudder to think where we will be by the end of his term. 

If you thought solving the fiscal cliff morass would save you money, think again.  Heritage Foundation lists 13 tax increases we will be paying in 2013. 

While we seldom agree with the Editorials of the Albany Times Union, this one is right, we must have relief from  unfunded mandates. 

Speaker Silver sees the light!

Newly elected Congressman Chris Collins has been given a rare honor, the Chairmanship of Small Business Committee’s Subcommittee on Healthcare and Technology.  Kudos to Congressman Collins and we certainly look forward to hearing him speak at this year's CPPAC.  (You can register for our conference by downloading the registration form at www.cpnys.org)  

I can't help but think since this Administration has been elected in 2008, much of what it wants to accomplish is by fiat.  Watch out, they are attempting to by pass Congress and a US Supreme Court decision, by having the SEC rewrite its rules.  In short, they are trying to overturn, by regulation, the Citizens United vs FEC decision.   I'm certain when Citizens United President, Dave Bossie, addresses our CPPAC Luncheon, he will tackle the proposal.  (Remember to register for CPPAC at www.cpnys.org)

The US Supreme Court will hear arguments on two gay marriage cases in March.

Really?  Obama supporters are shocked, angry on new tax increases.  Did they really think they wouldn't have to pay more?  They should learn to read more than the headlines!

We are doomed to never knowing all the answers on the deaths of Chris Stevens, Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty in Benghazi on September 11, 2012.  We can only hope that Secretary of State Clinton will be forthcoming when she testifies before Congress, but past history may prevail.

Tuesdays with Thomas Sowell.

The United States unfortunately is not the only entity reaching its debt limit, according to Comptroller DiNapoli so is New York.

More bad news for New York as E. J. McMahon explains health insurance premiums will cost more despite the fact that Governor Cuomo claims to have saved New Yorkers money when he denied increases in private health insurance. E. J. also has an opinion piece in today's New York Post on how the feds squeeze NY's golden geese.

Seriously, Governor Cuomo, do you really think New York has lax gun laws?  Maybe you should run ads about how the democratic controlled Assembly coddles criminals instead!  And you should seriously stop this talk about ending stop and frisk as that one action takes numerous illegal guns off the streets.  Go after the criminals, not law abiding citizens.  New York still bans assault weapons, a fact that Governor Cuomo does not seem to be aware of according to a quote in Liz Benjamin's blog.  (Check New York Penal Law 265 for a list of weapons that are outlawed.) 

Another major mistake by Sheldon Silver and those who want citizens to be dependent on government services.

Only the very naive are surprised by this headline. 

Only $375,000,  can't help but wonder what it will be for the 2012 election cycle.

The Heritage Foundation on the s l o w dismantling of Obamacare.

Freshmen Republican Class in Congress says bring it on.

Do you feel safer with these potential heads of Defense and CIA?  Neither do we. 

Weekly Wrap-Up

“Guns are good for the goose but NOT for the gander,” reports the Rockland County Times, which is providing an outstanding public service by reporting the hypocrisy of New York’s very own Journal News. 

They’re the ones, you’ll recall, who launched an ideologically-inspired witch-hunt against legal, law-abiding gun owners in New York by publishing the names and addresses of pistol permit holders in Rockland and Westchester counties.

When their gun “exposé” sparked a negative response, the Journal News bosses – in “a stunning display of media hypocrisy,” as the Wall Street Journal’s James Taranto puts it – quickly hired armed guards to protect themselves.

Putnam County officials have refused to play along with the Journal News’s so-called journalism.  They have not released the names and addresses of the county’s law-abiding gun owners, but they’re under increasing pressure to do so.

Should they? Or should Putnam County stick to its guns, so to speak?  Give your opinion today in our new Weekly Poll.

Republicans are sticking with John Boehner as House Speaker – but just barely, reports the Washington Times, which also notes the difficult road ahead for Republicans.

Meanwhile the New York Post celebrates Speaker Boehner’s “stealth win” in the fiscal cliff debate.

But Charles Krauthammer is not so impressed.

The Washington Examiner is encouraging Speaker Boehner to take a radical step: Enforce the rule requiring that we, the people actually be informed of what Congress is doing.

You can stay informed throughout 2013 right here on the Conservative Party’s blog.  Have a great weekend!

Some good news on the religious liberty in the health care bill..

Senators had all of three minutes to review 154 page "fiscal cliff" bill.

President Obama still thinks the rich are not paying their fair share.

The Heritage Foundation opines on the uproar over the Sandy Aid package.

Politico is calling the deficit Obama's Debt....finally!

Bryon York writes how for Obama the economy never comes first.  And Fred Barnes writes about the President who wants it all.

24/7, a division of the Wall Street Journal, writes about the states that have recovered most from the recession.  Unfortunately for New Yorkers we ranked # 49, only followed by New Jersey.

Is Hydrofracking coming to New York soon?

CPNYS hopes everyone had a very good Christmas Holiday and that 2013 is a good year for you.  We hope that you are prepared to pay more in taxes, as the deal that President Obama got to avert falling over the fiscal cliff is going to cost you and future generations more than you realized.  If you though because an agreement was reached you wouldn't be facing a tax increase, you will be very disappointed and you will be disappointed because for every $1 in spending cuts there is $41 in tax increases.

The Heritage Foundation looks at the deal here and here. 

Here is the Washington Times analysis.

77% of households will pay more taxes.

As Charles Gasparino wrote in today's New York Post "This 'cure' worse than the disease."  (This is what Charles Gasparino said about the deal prior it its passage.)  The NY Post Editorial calls it "an ugly deal".

Forbes supported no deal and thinks we would have been better off with no deal.

More on the deal from the Wall Street Journal.

Here is what Charles Krauthammer thinks of the deal.

And just in case your friends still think it may have been a good deal, have them  read this.

Then let them know more taxes are on the way.

Nicole Gelinas (who will be one of our guest speakers at this year's CPPAC) lets us know that Wall Street is facing fiscal woes in 2013.

George Marlin writes about LIPA's predictable failure. 

Georgetown Law Professor is teaching students that our Constitution is "downright evil".

We stand firm with no new gun control laws.

Thomas Sowell's Tuesday's column.

Wednesday's with Walter E. Williams.