If you haven't voted in our poll yet, or even if you have, you may be interested in what the Heritage Foundation has to say about the debt ceiling. More on the debt ceiling by Arthur Laffer.

South Carolina Governor, Nikki Haley, aims to trim government and cut taxes.

Cal Thomas and Daniel Henninger on the Tuscon tragedy. And the NY Post has good advice for Secretary Clinton.

I'm glad it wasn't only me, not that I think the Prez was perfect (I believe his delivery encouraged the crowd), but the crowd was appalling.

Chris Collins has a good proposal for Medicaid Reform. We certainly hope that the people appointed by Gov. Cuomo understand that the model being used is flawed. Will all due respect to Mr. Helgerson, New York does not need a "smoke and mirrors" fix to Medicaid. Mr. Collins proposal is real.

Yikes, Chicago, Illinois lawmakers approve a 66% tax hike! Did they start building a wall to keep fleeing taxpayers in?

Economic Freedom? As a country we have slipped to 9th place.

Our kind of straight talking person.

Jonah Goldberg on Censorship is an absurd answer.

Justice Schack, no one forced you to be a Judge.

Mr. Mayor, another storm is on its way, no more excuses this time.

Well, that was short lived, thankfully.

Is Comptroller DiNapoli changing his mind?

Governor Cuomo and Governor Quinn (Illinois), two newly elected democrats and how they perceive governing their respective states.

About that Green Technology making us less dependent on foreign sources of energy...you may want to rethink that. The Heritage Foundation on Obama's drilling agenda.

This is not good news either.

Armstrong Williams on Austerity, Now or Never.

Thomas Sowell on articulation.

The old Hillary is back and at it again!

Madam Secretary, read Cal Thomas' column on Explaining Evil.

We pray for all of the victims and families in Tucson, those who were savagely murdered, and those who witnessed the senseless taking of precious human life. The horrific events of Saturday are the results of one deranged individual.

Everyone needs to turn down the rhetoric while they legitimately debate issues. Debating issues does not create deranged individuals who give us many indications that serious problems exist.

The Heritage Foundation says it best.

Greenspan warns of risk from U. S. Debt.

Be prepared for another spike is gasoline prices. Hopefully the leak will be fixed rapidly.

W. James Antell, III writes in American Spectator about Liberalism's Frail Constitution.

The NY Times has an article saying that the Assembly may link property tax cap to City rent laws. While we understand the need for compromise in politics, this is NOT a good idea.

The NY Post has an article regarding Gov. Cuomo's pick for Medicaid reform....this is a must read as the writer calls him a dubious pick.

Weekly Wrap-Up

This is my choice for Picture of the Week!






But the more things change, the more they stay the same. The Obama Administration is pushing for yet another increase in the U.S. debt limit so the politicians can spend money they don’t have.

After all, as The Washington Times points out: Only $279,950,956,705.59 left to spend!

President Obama was against it before he was for it.

Erick Erickson suggests the GOP use the President’s exact words from 2006 in opposing this new blank check now...

Where do you stand – with Obama THEN or Obama NOW? Vote in our new Weekly Poll.

Here’s a promise from Chuck Schumer on behalf of his fellow Democrats: "We are going to be more responsible fiscally.” And another: “We will be fiscally responsible and reduce government spending...” How? Here’s another promise from Chuck: “I will not comment on any specific plan.” The whole spectacle is here.

Well, there is one area where the liberals LOVE to cut spending: National defense. The Heritage Foundation explains why sweeping defense cuts are wrong for America...

The Left seems to think that the Constitution is wrong for America...

... but if you ask me, reading our nation’s founding document was the right start to 2011.

Have a great weekend!

The State of the State has extensive coverage on many of the blogs. It was well delivered and included some humor and most importantly, Governor Cuomo, made it perfectly clear that he understood that we are facing a $10 B deficit. The text and visuals of the speech are here. The NY Post and Fred Dicker wanted more details. While we hope that Governor Cuomo is successful with the conservative fiscal message, there are portions of the SOS that we have concerns with as well. The fact that the NY Post is a little skeptical, as well as some of the other reviews, proves that New York is in very serious financial trouble. The "devil is in the details" and we certainly will examine the budget proposal when delivered. Hopefully it will make the necessary cuts and consolidations to begin to close the budget gaps and help all New Yorkers financially. Do you think the NY Times had trouble writing the headline?

Conservative Party Comptroller Candidate, Harry Wilson, has a serious suggestion for Speaker Silver.

I'm sure you've read about the four democrats who have formed an "independent" conference in the NY State Senate.

I hope that the public will be able to see this as well.

ICYMT yesterday. Or this.

Karl Rove on Obamacare. The Heritage Foundation on Repeal Doesn't Increase the Deficit.

Hope and change in Congress. Speaker Boehner in his own words.

NY State is not the only state facing pension problems. The American Thinker has an interesting article on the subject.

Thomas Sowell's sobering article from Tuesday.

The New Year is here and a new administration in New York State. We sincerely wish Governor Andrew Cuomo well and hope that his fiscal conservative policies are adopted for the sake of all New Yorkers, but the task won't be easy. His Inaugural Address is here, for your review and his State of the State will be linked to sometime Wednesday or when available. Many reviews of his Inaugural Address are here. A well deserved kudos to the Albany Times Union for their coverage.

Governor Cuomo is setting a good example by cutting his own salary by 5%, as well as some of his Executive Staff.

E. J. McMahon reiterates the need for spending and property caps.

New York is not the only state facing serious fiscal problems. And the Heritage Foundation believes "No bailouts for Government Unions".

Thanks, Mr. McManus, couldn't have said it better myself.

And just in case you missed this over the weekend, another Senator seems to let our tax dollars disappear in his member item list.

Governor Cuomo, maybe instead of the Executive Order for Ethics Training, which is for Chamber Staff and top state officials, you should consider a eliminating Member Items from the Executive and Legislative Budgets, thereby saving tax payers and eliminating the temptation. Just a thought for consideration.