We have just returned from the largest rally that Albany's Capitol has seen in years.  The local paper (Albany Times Union) says about 5000 people gathered to protest Governor Cuomo's "NY SAFE ACT" passed on the first day of the 2013 Legislative Session.  As Sen. O'Mara said at the rally, he waited longer to speak than the bill was on his desk.  The West Capitol Park was a sea of people and I personally believe that the number in the Times Union (supporters of the anti-2nd Amendment bill) is way off.  I heard State Police estimate over 12,000 people.  This much is certain, the people who attended the rally were there on their own accord unlike many of the "rent-a-crowd" rallies that have taken place in Albany.

NRA President, David Keene, (described as a gentleman who sticks to his guns) was the keynote speaker and decried the manner in which Governor Cuomo pushed the bill through the legislature and believes Cuomo will find himself unelectable nationally.

Party Executive Director, Shaun Marie, addressed the 2nd Amendment supporters and told them, rest assured the Conservative Party stands with every single person who is here today -- that we will do all we can to REPEAL Governor Andrew Cuomo's NY SAFE ACT.  The NY SAFE ACT leaves us all vulnerable to those who have no regard for the law and the way Governor Andrew Cuomo demanded it be passed on the first day of the legislative session indicates he has little regard for the law-abiding citizens who own guns.  Repeal --- not amend!"

In other news, Sequestration is inevitable and John Brennan has a Benghazi problem.  The Dems just do not understand; spending is the problem. President Obama threatens to veto GOP plan.  Bob Woodward does not back down and continues to be critical of the President. Woodward not the only one threatened, Lanny Davis and why you should be concerned.

More sequestration hype here but apparently Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) does not understand the spending problems America faces.  Rep. Lee introduced legislation to create a Cabinet level -Secretary of Peacebuilding! 

President Obama (and Senator Reid)  wants to raise taxes and doesn't believe we have a spending problem.... Reason.Com explains why he is wrong. 

Phil Gramn, who knows a thing or two on how to manage budgets shows his monetary wisdom  in today's Wall Street Journal article. (subscription required)

American Enterprise Institute has an excellent article on "The Presidency Redefined."

Here is a novel idea:  How about cutting the employees the federal government pays not to work for Uncle Sam? 

Investors abandon solar; is any one surprised?

Wednesday's with Walter E. Williams -- a must read on President Obama's wanting to raise the minimum wage.

NYC Mayoral candidate, George McDonald, scores a win in Court, but AG Schneiderman is challenging his win.  If AG Schneiderman is successful, New Yorkers will be the losers. 

To say that NYC Comptroller John Liu is in above his head would be an understatement.

Bill O'Reilly strongly criticizes Governor Cuomo's radical abortion plan.  He, O'Reilly, has more faith in Americans right now than Rush Limbaugh does.

Sequestration!  According to the Administration, Sequestration equals Armageddon and we are doomed if sequestration takes place. Bob Woodward reminds us that this was the Administration's idea.  The NY Post reminds us that it equals 2.4 cents per dollar.  Michael Goodwin writes about the Administration's super hype to scare the population.  Speaker Boehner is upset about President Obama using the Military as a prop in the debate.  The Heritage Foundation has practical solutions.  Seriously, President Obama, do you really have to raise the terror threat?    Andrew Malcolm reminds us that the President  is now blaming Republicans for his idea.   This chart helps explain spending continues just at a slightly -- 2.4% -- less rate. (The way the Administration is carrying on, one would think that the sequestration was cutting 20% from current spending rather than 2.4% of projected spending.)

President Obama still insists spending is not our biggest problem.

With "logic" like this, no wonder the Administration thinks the way it does.  If this think tank is his favorite place to get policy advice, we really are doomed.

President Obama should start listening to Dr. Benjamin Carson instead of the Center for American Progress. 

Lest we forget:  The Power of Economic Progress.

Bill Hammond thinks hydrofracking may be acceptable.  Welcome aboard, Mr. Hammond. 

Tuesday's with Thomas Sowell.

In a Newsmax article you can read here  former Governor Pataki speaks out on Governor Cuomo's radical plan to expand abortions in New York State.  

Meanwhile, Governor Cuomo's top legal aide, Nancy Denerstein,  tries to "correct" the "wildly false misinformation" those of us who respect life are saying which is based on the only bill that is available for us to review.  The bottom line is simple:  Innocent Life at any stage must be respected.  The NY Times' headline is correct when it states "Cuomo Bucks Tide With Bill to Ease Limits on Abortion."  With all of the advances in medicine, it is making people realize that this unborn child can no longer be called anything except an innocent unborn child. 

The New York City Mayor's race is wide open and hopefully residents are listening to all the candidates.  The Conservative Party is paying close attention to the race.  

Another good article --  dealing with the issue of binding arbitration -- by E. J. McMahon in Newsday.  (subscription required.) 

Governor Cuomo is raising money and recognition out side of New York State.  Do you still think he isn't running for President?   For a person who wants campaign finance reform, he certainly does not hesitate to fund raise for what he wants.  And, of course,  what George Soros wants.....

It really is unfortunate that neither understand the ramifications of raising the minimum wage. 

Speaker Silver always wants more.  He will disregard rules or laws if they don't fit what he demands and will work around ways to be certain to get the money for his pets....taxpayers don't matter.   

About that promise the President made to Americans about their health care,  apparently he can't keep it.  

The Heritage Foundation thinks the President is a flip-flopper, especially on same-sex marriage. 

 I can't help but wonder if this was part of Governor Brown's plan to raise the taxes even higher in California, knowing full well the residents will not put up with this. 

Even the CBC (Citizens Budget Commission) is rejecting a Gov. Cuomo budget proposal.  

George J. Marlin writes about Heroes and  Celebrities.

Weekly Wrap-Up

“Sequester” is what everybody’s talking about this week, and today The Heritage Foundation offers perhaps the most humorous take on the matter.

Sequestration isn’t perfect, as National Review points out, but it can be made to work. 

Rich Lowry and Jonah Goldberg both point out that “sequester” is NOT a synonym for “doomsday.”

But doomsday is exactly what the Democrats want as they are “desperateto up the pain the sequester cuts will inflict on the American people.”

“Government by Freakout,” as Peggy Noonan calls it.

The sequester in perspective.

What’s your take on the sequester question? Should the government be forced to cut spending – or will a leaner government cause too much destruction?  Vote today in our new Weekly Poll.

New York liberals want to “sequester” your money and cut your budget with new taxes.  The latest: A new tax on tickets to sporting events.  The New York Post has my take on this new money-grab.

There’s plenty to worry about in Andrew Cuomo’s radical abortion agenda.  This is a great analysis, and the following paragraph stood out most to me:

The abortion party does not brook resistance, and it steadfastly seeks to ensure that everybody has a hand in its grisly business: taxpayers, employers, priests. All must be implicated. If a religious hospital declines to provide abortions, then it must be forced to do so. If a counseling center treats adoption as preferable to abortion, it will either change its mind or have its mind changed for it by the gentle persuasion of the State of New York.

The Conservative Party will be standing up for the unborn and against this abortion extremism – and we’ll be taking on the spending extremism that sees minor budget cuts as the end of the world.  Thanks for your support for our work, and have a great weekend!

Joe Biden on how to ward off potential intruders, buy a shotgun.  He's missing the point, it's not about the type of gun, it's about protecting the second amendment which includes all guns.  Don't infringe on the second amendment.  Obama's gun distraction.

Cuomo's smoke screen.

Newt Gingrich lays out how much trouble Republicans are in.

Michael Reagan on Immigration.

Casino gambling proposal for New York State is in trouble with voters.

The tea party has a new leader.

Read who the new "silent majority" is.

New York pols still keeping busy feeding the special interests.

Could there be a crack in the democratic foundation?  Read this.

No apologies necessary.

Hagel's confirmation has been delayed for good reasons.  More reasons Hagel shouldn't be confirmed.

Mr. President, you created the spending cut crisis, you fix it.