By Mark David Blum, Esq.
On Tuesday, our friends in Oswego, Jefferson, and Lewis Counties will be casting their vote for a recently vacated State Senate seat. Not being a resident of the affected counties, I cannot cast a vote in this election. That should not, however, discount the observations that lead me to conclude that Dale Aubertine deserves the win. After all, as a New Yorker, I too am dependant on you folks making a good selection.
First of all, both of these candidates should be ashamed of themselves. Everybody in New York is offended at Douglas Barclay’s theft of the river from the People. But you cannot impute the arrogance and near criminal behavior of the father onto the son. Using the role model his father has set as a barometer to see the character of the son is not unconscionable. But we cannot blame Will Barclay because his father is a greedy arrogant bastard.
Second, Will Barclay should not be punished because he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Do not be jealous or begrudge a man who has never had to work to eat, or who has never experienced homelessness or joblessness. Barclay is a lucky man to have been born into money. It does call into question his true understanding of his constituency since the poverty and economic depression in the affected counties is visible from any roadway.
Third, if you want to sanction and hold something against Mr. Barclay, you need look no further than his cowardly actions regarding the Berger Commission. Recall how the Commission was set up to make findings which automatically become law unless vetoed. “Coward” is the first word that comes to mind when legislators hide behind laws that are automatic so they can claim political cover. More importantly however, is that accepting the Berger Commission’s findings and making them law is the same as allowing Enron executives to establish and supervise corporate accounting procedures. Barclay’s fingerprints are all over this one and for good reason: The pharmaceutical companies, the HMO’s, the Insurance industry, and medical product corporations are the nation’s single largest contributors of campaign funding. The supply of money is endless and the pandering goes on constantly; and for good reason. Billions of dollars are at stake and only insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and HMOs stand to win or lose depending on the flow of cash into that industry.
Ultimately, voting for Aubertine will help break Josef Bruno’s Republican Party stranglehold over the State Senate. Too long, the Republicans have blocked and bled New York dry because of a single man from one of the downstate Boroughs. The record is clear that millions are being poured by Bruno into the Barclay campaign. From what I recall, it is the best interests of ALL New Yorkers which should be paramount. The last things we need is another quiet little soldier for Bruno. Haven’t we all suffered enough? The hard cold lesson we have learned is that Republican self interest always rises above the interests of the People and serves only the few.
As a last ditch effort, we are being drowned like rats in a last minute rush to slime the airwaves by political candidates. Apparently Barclay lacks an effective economic policy, has no specific changes being proposed, and seeks to do nothing but enhance his party’s stranglehold on Albany.
In these last hours and minutes of the campaign, now Will Barclay has run for cover behind the skirts of women. Unable to sustain his own momentum, we are asked by Mrs. Barclay every 28 seconds on radio and television, that we should know her husband like she does. Frankly Mrs. Barclay, I would rather not. Seeing him naked, smelling his farts, and listening to him whine and cry doesn’t excite me. Folks do not want a spouse and friend in government. We need a doer who we can bitch-slap when they screw up. Does Mrs. Barclay bitchslap her husband when he screws up?
Just once, in all this chaos and garbage of the process of campaigning, I wish a candidate would come forward and be honest. The lies, spins, and mudslinging make no impression and just rise up bile against the thrower. Clearly the tactic has been to sicken everybody of the entire process such that they drop out and do not vote at all. This is why we have lived under a tyranny of the minority over the majority for so many years. Republicans came on hard with a slash and burn approach. This tactic has nauseated and disenfranchised voters through apathy.
Mr. Barclay needs to stand on his own two feet. He failed to convince us he would do what is right; for a change and elevate his constituency over his Party. Barclay should at least spare us the Family Guy routine. Being respected by your family is expected. Show us your real mettle. Pandering to farmers or proclaiming to be one may be romantic, but it hardly qualifies a person for office.
Alas if only your wife and children could tell us what you are really like first thing in the morning. Would you still be able to show your face in public?
