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If can I can start by saying this first before I dissect Satish Mohans statement, I met Satish when he was running for Supervisor while at a Primary Challenge event. I consider him a friend, which is why I write this and why I am shocked at his decision to change “Parties”. I have said from our first meeting that I have always felt that whatever he did or said came directly from his heart and meant everything he said. So why this?

I can understand his frustration, I have seen it for myself over and over again. What he should do is call out everyone that is working against his agenda. In so many cases it’s personal greed, self aggrandizement and “Party” first that is the problem. Switching parties does not solve the problem. Does he really think that changing affiliation will get the Democrats to vote with him? I hope not, it is his agenda that they are against. Although voting against something because it’s the opposite parties idea happens all the time, just look at the Erie County Legislature.

I have documented over and over through the years that when a Republican was clocked in to the Legislature, it was sent directly to committee and never saw the light of day again. Why? Was it a bad idea? NO, it was because the enemy submitted it. Party politics is destroying this county and this state and is also doing a great job of destroying the country.

Why should it matter which side of the political aisle an idea comes from, why? It shouldn’t and it has got to stop, but it won’t, not on a large enough scale to make a difference anytime soon.

Just one example. These past two years I have been fighting to eliminate the tolls on the Grand Island bridges. No once has the opposite party even acknowledged the existence of the petition drive, the thousands of people that have signed it from all the parties. The Republican Assembly held hearings and I was invited, but they also invited Kathy Hochul and others that were simply invited to add their point of view and statistics to stopping the toll increase. The Republican Senators called a hearing that was canceled due to bad weather, I was invited as was Kathy Hochul and others.

Now the Democrat controlled Transportation committee held a hearing by invitation only, I was not invited but Hochul was. The Erie County Legislature Economic Development committee had a hearing. Hochul was invited, I was not, although I attended, I was not allowed to speak. Not once in that hearing was the petition, the thousands of signatories mentioned or attributed for getting the toll issue to the forefront. And this hearing was all about the Grand Island bridge tolls and it’s economic impact on the island. This hearing was hosted by Iannello and Kennedy, two very partisan political hacks IMHO.

In December I started emailing all my representatives in the Senate and Assembly about the idea to give the 190 to the D.O.T. The only one to respond was Senator George Maziarz. He picked up on the idea and on January 18th he sent me the draft of the legislation. Where was Thompson, Hoyt, DelMonte, Schimminger, etal? No where to be found, not one response from them at all. I was told repeatedly that this was phantom legislation, how phantom is it now.

Now, Thank the good Lord it has been picked up by Assemblyman Hoyt and co-sponsored by Thompson in the Senate.

The point I trying to make is that no matter who, a Democrat or Republican, that puts forth an idea that has merit, needs to be looked at and if benefits the good people of Erie County and Western New York should be adopted, put up for a vote and passed. Isn’t that the idea of a Representative Republic? YES, it is.

Party politics, greed, union money, self promotion, me,me,me, I,I,I, attitudes is what is killing us. Satish is absolutely correct when he say that only 2% of the people are being represented. When the union is breathing down your neck watching everything you do, every vote you make and if you dare vote against them, or even think about voting any way but a way that will hurt them, all your campaign dollars will dry up, all the troops will help someone else including a candidate that will run against you. Ask Iannelo, Kennedy and the rest of them that are endorsed by the unions. Watch how they vote, educate yourself as to how much power and control the unions have on them.

Satish, what your doing will not have the desired result. As long as you continue on you agenda that you ran on, it won’t work. The People in Amherst and all of New York have got to get together and VOTE, that is the only way things will change.

PARTY POLITICS IN TOWN GOVERNANCE

All democracies in the world have organized their people into various philosophic divisions and have named them political parties. All of these parties built their platforms for public good. Democrats aligned with labor unions that were being exploited by their employers, and the Republicans got closer to business groups to support the growth of economy and to sustain and expand employment; I joined the Republican Party for this reason and their belief in less taxes and smaller government.

Over time, however, the politicians have gravitated towards campaign financiers and promises of votes. The greed for office has taken over the resolve for public good. Republicans pretend to be pro-business while seeking endorsements from labor unions; and Democrats blindly show their support for labor unions. In our Town, both business and union labor account for less than 1% each. This 2% of Amherst residents are well supported by the politicians, while the remaining 98% have been ignored. They live on the hype of “safest town” and “best services,” pay very high taxes, and are constantly fighting to maintain their lifestyles.

The foundation of our society–our Constitution–was written for “We the People.” This 98% of the people have been dominated by 2% of the extremities. We cannot go too far and far too long in this mode. We have prospered in democracy, and “We the People”-the Amherstonians-should rise to ensure that their government works for them. I am suggesting two steps:

* (ii) The 98% group of Amherstonians should immediately form an active union–the “Amherst Taxpayers Union” or “We the Amherstonians”– and seek membership at $1 per year. Please enroll me as a member of your union. Their elected team should then work to achieve what is best for them and their next generations, and
* (ii) I will soon register myself as a Democrat and work towards expanding the Democratic Party’s base to include the 98% population of “We the People.” Once their focus enlarges to 99% of the people, the Democrats will see the value of lower taxes and smaller government, I hope. Having been in the Republican Party for several years, I know I will never be successful in expanding on their 1% base. I am absolutely disillusioned by how they think and operate. They have outlived their utility for the people. I had joined the Republican Party that supported business that created more and more jobs and that generated wealth through manufacturing. They, however, ended up exporting jobs and manufacturing and importing foreign goods, all for their short-term profits. Also, in Iraq, Republicans treated human lives as a commodity which can be traded for a promise of wealth. We must stop this tide, revive our economy, and be proud of “Made in U.S.A.” once again.

During the last two years, my actions for the good of Amherstonians have been opposed by most Republican members of the Town Board, and Democrats have not voted with me because they are the other party. My being a Republican, therefore, is hurting the very cause that I stand for and for which the people elected me as their leader. While belonging to any political party, my loyalty and my wholehearted effort are, and will always be, to the people of my Town of Amherst.

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