How is everyone doing? This last election was a gut punch. I believe people are basically good, kind and generous, but they voted for hate and evil. Donald Trump campaigned on hate, vengeance, bigotry and racism. We know who Mr. Trump is. We know Mr. Trump rejects bipartisan decency and compromise that makes democracy work. We know that he will use the Presidency to enrich himself, in both legal and illegal ways. We know that Mr. Trump lies. We know that Mr. Trump has authoritarian tendencies. We know that his brand of politics relishes in the misery of others. And we know that Republicans will enable Mr. Trump. The fact that people voted to bring hate and misery and pain to others disturbs my worldview that most people are basically good.
I suspect most if not all of you are also grieving. The next four years are going to be rough for all of us. That’s right, all of us. In a democracy, we citizens are responsible for our society. Citizenship in a democracy requires participation, civility, and even patience. Democracies need more than an occasional vote from their citizens to remain healthy. They need the steady attention, time, and commitment of large numbers of their citizens who, in turn look to the government to protect their rights and freedoms. A government of the people demands constant vigilance and support by the people. As citizens and as Democrats we must speak out against Mr. Trump’s and the Republican’s unjust, immoral, and perhaps illegal abuses of our civil rights. We must speak out against their hate.
Democrats have a better answer. Based on sound economic principles President Obama and President Biden created strong economic growth after inheriting economic crisis. When Mr. Obama became President the economy had lost nearly 3.6 million jobs. In September of 2008 (before the election of Mr. Obama) several major financial institutions failed and 12 of the 13 largest U.S. financial institutions were at risk of failure. When Mr. Biden became President, the economy had shut down. The Orlean Hub reported that the state Labor Department reported that unemployment rate in Orleans County was 6.4% and 6.9% in Monroe County. Private sector jobs in Western New York region declined by 50,800 or 9.2%. Now the unemployment rate is down to about 3%. It is not just economics; health care is another area where Democrats have a better answer. It will be difficult to keep the hope and the dream of America alive for the next four years. As Democrats we have a better answer, a positive answer based on evidence and facts. But will take all of us to get that message out. We will be providing thoughtful and respectful answers. We must not lose our humanity while we oppose Mr. Trump’s cruel, inhumane, unjust and just plain hateful legislation like his child separation program in his first administration. I hope you can join us.
November 7, 2024
In addition to Bill’s 5 cents entry below, the webmaster would like to add the following information. As a reference point for the future, below are the factual numbers on the American Economy, which is presently adding manufacturing type jobs, something that has not been the case for many years.
The current economy is already starting to change simply because of businesses bracing for anticipated massive tariffs, see this Meidas Touch Post.
Also you might this conversation of democratic couple how to process the election of Trump and move forward from here comforting. Click here.
Finally, this video debunks in under 10 minutes the whole notion of the Elon Musk’s proposed Department of Government Efficiency.
To find annual inflation rates for a calendar year, look to the December column. For instance, the inflation rate in 2023 was 3.4%. Meanwhile, the “Ave” column shows the average inflation rate for each year using CPI data. In 2023, the average inflation rate was 4.1%. These average rates are published by the BLS but are rarely discussed in the news media, taking a back seat to the actual rate of inflation for a given calendar year.
Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the third quarter of 2024 (table 1), according to the “advance” estimate released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the second quarter, real GDP increased 3.0 percent.
The GDP estimate released today is based on source data that are incomplete or subject to further revision by the source agency (refer to “Source Data for the Advance Estimate” on page 2). The “second” estimate for the third quarter, based on more complete source data, will be released on November 27, 2024.
The increase in real GDP primarily reflected increases in consumer spending, exports, and federal government spending (table 2). Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, increased.
The increase in consumer spending reflected increases in both goods and services. Within goods, the leading contributors were other nondurable goods (led by prescription drugs) and motor vehicles and parts. Within services, the leading contributors were health care (led by outpatient services) as well as food services and accommodations. The increase in exports primarily reflected an increase in goods (led by capital goods, excluding automotive). The increase in federal government spending was led by defense spending. The increase in imports primarily reflected an increase in goods (led by capital goods, excluding automotive).
Compared to the second quarter, the deceleration in real GDP in the third quarter primarily reflected a downturn in private inventory investment and a larger decrease in residential fixed investment. These movements were partly offset by accelerations in exports, consumer spending, and federal government spending. Imports accelerated.
Current‑dollar GDP increased 4.7 percent at an annual rate, or $333.2 billion, in the third quarter to a level of $29.35 trillion. In the second quarter, GDP increased 5.6 percent, or $392.6 billion (tables 1 and 3).
The price index for gross domestic purchases increased 1.8 percent in the third quarter, compared with an increase of 2.4 percent in the second quarter (table 4). The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index increased 1.5 percent, compared with an increase of 2.5 percent. Excluding food and energy prices, the PCE price index increased 2.2 percent, compared with an increase of 2.8 percent.
Personal Income
Current-dollar personal income increased $221.3 billion in the third quarter, compared with an increase of $315.7 billion in the second quarter. The increase primarily reflected an increase in compensation (table 8).
Disposable personal income increased $166.0 billion, or 3.1 percent, in the third quarter, compared with an increase of $260.4 billion, or 5.0 percent, in the second quarter. Real disposable personal income increased 1.6 percent, compared with an increase of 2.4 percent.
Personal saving was $1.04 trillion in the third quarter, compared with $1.13 trillion in the second quarter. The personal saving rate—personal saving as a percentage of disposable personal income—was 4.8 percent in the third quarter, compared with 5.2 percent in the second quarter.
Source Data for the Advance Estimate
The GDP estimate released today is based on source data that are incomplete or subject to further revision by the source agency. Information on the source data and key assumptions used in the advance estimate is provided in a Technical Note and a detailed “Key Source Data and Assumptions” file posted with the release. The “second” estimate for the third quarter, based on more complete data, will be released on November 27, 2024. For information on updates to GDP, refer to the “Additional Information” section that follows.
Hate won. Donald Trump ran a campaign on hate, vengeance, bigotry and racism. He spread conspiracy theories that legal immigrants were eating neighbors’ pets, and he called migrants criminals. He supports and endorses anti-LGBTQ+ groups. He only talks to friendly media because he cannot discuss policies. When the press does try to hold him to account he calls them “the fake news.” Mr. Trump cannot discuss any policy or give a logical coherent answer when asked, instead he berates the questioner. Mr. Trump rejects bipartisan decency and compromise that makes democracy work. (Apparently all those illegal migrants eating the neighbor’s cats and dogs voted for Mr. Trump). Mr. Trump connected with the disaffected and the dissatisfied and promised to change the status quo. That status quo is the institutions that make our democracy function. Anyone who challenges Mr. Trump’s positions with facts or a different solution are called “the enemy within,” and threatened with investigations by the Justice Department or the I.R.S. Silencing your critics is how dictator rule, not democratic government. So hate won. Mr. Trump is promising to round up all illegal migrants and deport them. Cornell University reports that over half of farm workers are undocumented migrants. As the saying goes “no farms, no food.” If Mr. Trump carries out this campaign promise, grocery shelves will be bare. According to National Association of Home Builders roughly 25% of construction workers and 31% in the trades are migrants. Beyond damaging our economy Mr. Trump proposal is cruel, inhumane and unjust; perhaps even illegal. Just like the child separation program in his first administration it is hateful. Hate won over a positive hopeful message. The economy is good. The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. has the strongest economy in the world. Inflation is down, unemployment is low and wages are rising faster than inflation. Despite all this good news hate won. Hate won. There is no good news. I have only this. We must continue to resist with truth, and honesty. Republicans now have to govern. It is easier to criticize than to govern. I don’t know how but we must join together with interconnected groups and support each other. Does anyone have any other answer. Bill Fine
November 3, 2024
A handful of giant corporations such as Cargill and JBS have control of agriculture; from what farmers pay for seeds and fertilizer to what they are paid for their finished products. As a result farmer gets squeezed at both ends from input to output. I explained in my last letter how the Trump administration prioritized these corporations over small family farms. In this letter, I would like to outline some of the ways the Biden-Harris administration is helping small farmers. The Biden-Harris administration strengthened farmers’ bargaining position when dealing with these large corporations and has made antitrust a central theme . For example, the Trump administration greenlit both the Bayer-Monsanto merger, which created the world’s largest company for vegetable seeds, cotton seeds and herbicides, and the Dow-DuPont merger, which created the largest ag-biotech and seed firm in the U.S. The Biden-Harris administration sued to block the merger of supermarket chains Kroger and Albertsons. Farm Action stated: “A successful merger between the two companies would leave dairy farmers with fewer places to sell their milk, and grant Kroger-Albertsons with untold power to command lower prices. As a result, independent producers would inevitably be forced out of business.” The Biden-Harris administration also filed legal action against Koch Foods Inc. to prevent them from requiring chicken farmers to pay a “termination penalty” for switching to a different processor. President Biden has issued an executive order directing the FTC to go after corporate “right to repair” restrictions that prevent farmers and ranchers from doing their own maintenance on equipment. It is no accident that under the Biden-Harris administration, net farm incomes have gone up from $94 billion in the years between 2017 to 2019 to $165 billion between 2021 to 2023. Our local farmers and farm communities are economically more healthy under the Biden-Harris administration.
This election is essentially between one candidate who wants to create an authoritarian state and a candidate who will defend and protect our democracy. Donald Trump has already attempted to overthrow our democracy by using illegal electors and political pressure to refuse to certify a fair and free election. We know that Mr. Trump gave classified information to Russia, stated he takes Vladimir Putin’s word over the entire U.S. intelligence community, and saluted a North Korean General while disrespecting U.S. military personnel. We also know that Mr. Trump is a liar, a convicted felon and convicted sexual offender. Mr. Trump has not presented any policy positions other than to politicize the Department of Justice, the Department of Defense and other independent agencies. Furthermore, Mr. Trump wants to revamp civil service under Schedule F making employees loyal to him, not to the Constitution or the citizens they serve. Mr. Trump poses a serious threat to the rule of law, to our democracy and to the Constitution of the United States. He is running to be an authoritarian. The Biden-Harris administration brought back manufacturing with the passage of the Chips and Science Act. Edwards Vacuum chose Genesee County for their new manufacturing plant because of that law, passed by Democrats. Monroe County Republicans, in a recent comment section in Westside News (Aug. 25th issue), touted the benefits of the American Rescue Plan, (also passed by Democrats without any support from Republicans), which they stated allowed local communities in western New York to enhance transportation for seniors, enrich after school programs for our youth and provide more services for veterans among other benefits. Democrats passed the Pact Act, providing veterans with needed medical care over the objections of Republicans, like Elise Stefanik and Claudia Tenney. On the immigration issue, President Biden proposed almost $14 billion to bolster security on the U.S. border with Mexico making this legislation one of the strongest immigration bill ever written. Both President Biden and Kamala Harris stated they would sign this bill but Republicans refused to vote for it because they plan to campaign on the issue rather than solve the problem. If you are voting for the party that supports manufacturing, rebuilding our infrastructure, and respects law and order, our democracy and the Constitution, you are voting for Democrats.
I am asking you to vote for Democrats this Nov. 5th. This election will determine whether we continue to be a democratic republic, as established in the Constitution, or some sort of authoritarian state. After the 2020 election, Mr. Trump and his Republican enablers, challenged the outcome in sixty (60), court cases. After 60 court cases showed no voter irregularities, and after the Governors of every state had certified the results and sent a legal slate of electors to Congress to be counted, Donald Trump, the Republican leader, and his enablers, created a slate of “alternative electors” – both illegal and unconstitutional — to throw the certification into confusion. When this non-violent coup failed, they tried an open insurrection on Jan. 6th, 2021. During Mr. Trump’s Presidency he gave Russia classified information, abandoned our Kurdish allies and threatened to pull us out of NATO, all in service of Vladimir Putin. Mr. Trump disrespects the American Military and he saluted a North Korean General. In the Korean War around 37,000 Americans died, 92,000 were wounded and around 8,000 are missing defending our democracy. The war ended in a stalemate with no peace treaty, meaning we are technically still at war with North Korea. Mr. Trump. Saluted a North Korean General. As a combat veteran and patriot I find this is so un-American that this alone should disqualify him for the Presidency. For those reasons and many more, former national security and military officials published an open letter endorsing Vice-President Kamala Harris writing: “This election is a choice between serious leadership and vengeful impulsiveness.” This open letter was signed and endorsed by more than 700 former officials including 15 retired four-star generals, 12 former Cabinet-level officials and more than 120 ambassadors. Because our Constitutional democracy is at stake in this election, former Republican Vice-President Dick Cheney and his daughter, former Congresswoman Liz Cheney are supporting Democrate Vice-President Kamala Harris for the Presidency. This should not be a hard choice as the Biden-Harris administration brought back manufacturing jobs with the passage of the Chips and Science Act. Micron Technology is building a $100 billion chip manufacturing campus near Syracuse and Edwards Vacuum is building in Genesee County. GlobalFoundries, AMD, MenloMicro and TTM Technologies have all made major investments in New York. Even Republicans have acknowledged how legislation passed by Democrats have improved the lives of our neighbors. In a comment section in Westside News, (Aug. 25th), Republicans touted the benefits of the American Rescue Plan, legislation passed with no Republican support, writing that the funding from this legislation will “expand opportunities” for senior citizens, new services for veterans, and enriched after school programs for our youth. Moody’s Analytics examined the economic models put forth by the candidates and concluded that a second Trump presidency would be an economic disaster. Donald Trump and his Republican enablers are trying to confuse voters with their constant lies. For example, they know that non-citizens cannot vote in national elections and that is why they are blaming them for all our problems. The lies have resulted in bomb threats against children, but they keep doubling down on these lies. Democracy demands citizen participation. If our experiment with self-government is to continue, we must be engaged. I urge you to vote this election for Democrats. If you need assistance please contact election officials for help.
The Economist has endorsed Kamala Harris. They warn that a “second Trump term comes with unacceptable risks.” Moody’s Analytics, which evaluates risk, performance and financial modeling, compared the economic promises of the Presidential candidates and concluded that a Trump presidency would be an economic disaster. The Wall Street Journal’s survey of economist shows that Mr. Trump’s economic plans are more inflationary than Ms. Harris’s and would add more to the deficit plus The Wall Street Journal’s own analysis shows that Mr. Trump’s plans would explode the national debt. Scientific America endorsed Kamala Harris because she “offers the country better prospects, relying on science, solid evidence and the willingness to learn from experience. She pushes policies that boost good jobs nationwide by embracing technology and clean energy. She supports education, public health and reproductive rights. She treats the climate crisis as the emergency it is and seeks to mitigate its catastrophic storms, fires and droughts.” Republican officials view Mr. Trump as a threat to our national security. General John Kelly former Chief of Staff to Mr. Trump, stated that Mr. Trump “has nothing but contempt for our democratic institutions, our Constitution, and the rule of law.” General James Mattis, Mr. Trump’s former Secretary of Defense, stated: “His use of the Presidency to destroy trust in our election and to poison our respect for fellow citizens has been enabled by pseudo political leaders whose names will live in infamy as profiles in cowardice.” William Barr, Mr. Trump’s former Attorney General, stated: “If he was in the White House again, he will always put his own interest and gratifying his own ego ahead of everything else, including the country’s interest.” Mark Esper, former Secretary of Defense under Mr. Trump, “I do regard him as a threat to democracy, democracy as we know it, our institutions, our political culture, all those things that make America great and have defined us as, you know, the oldest democracy on the planet.” I believe you already know that Mr. Trump is an egotist and a racist not just in verbal comments but in his policy choices. When North Korean leaders praised Mr. Trump he stated he fell in love with the North Korean dictator and even saluted one of their Generals while disparaging U.S. troops whose only allegiance is to the Constitution. You know that supporting Mr. Trump will result in failed policies like his failure with Covid-19. During Mr. Trump’s administration there were refrigerator trucks outside of hospital morgues because of his failed policies. The failure is evident in how many more Americans died because of Covid than Canadians, both in absolute numbers and in ratios of death. Mr. Trump is a failure from the economy to healthcare to environmental disasters to national security Mr. Trump would be a disaster for our country. I strongly endorse Kamala Harris and encourage you to vote for her.
October 20, 2024
I want to remind Clarkson Democrats that early voting starts Oct 26th and runs through Nov. 3rd. Locally, you can vote early at the Sweden/Clarkson Community Center 4927 Lake Road. Experts say that this election is very close and will depend upon turnout. I believe this election will determine if we continue as a Constitutional republic or an authoritarian state. It is not just the leader of the Republican Party that is an authoritarian but all of his enablers down the ticket that both refuse to hold him accountable and endorse his authoritarian policies. VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS DOWN THE TICKET.
Also on the back of the ballot is Proposition 1 which will protect the rights and freedoms of all New Yorkers. VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION 1 ON THE BACK OF THE BALLOT.
October 11. 2024
I am writing to remind Democrats in Clarkson that early voting starts Oct. 26th and runs through Nov. 3rd. You can vote at the Sweden/Clarkson Community Center 4927 Lake Road. This election will determine if we continue to have a representative government or an authoritarian form of government. Mr. Trump has already tried to overthrow the will of the people with a slate of illegal and unconstitutional “alternative electors.” After that failed he tried an open insurrection on Jan. 6th 2021. As a combat veteran, and someone who saw men die for your right to vote, I urge you to vote. Democracy demands participation.
June 30, 2024
During the debate, Donald Trump portrayed America as a nation terrorized by a wave of violent crimes committed by immigrants. Those statements are lies, period. Official FBI data, which is collected from police departments all across the country, shows that we experienced a substantial rise in homicides in 2020, while Mr. Trump was President. Since, Mr. Biden has been President the homicide rate has leveled off and in the last two years has steeply decreased. Furthermore, research from different institutions, has repeatedly shown that migrants commit far fewer crimes than U.S. born citizens. These are facts, they are public, and everyone can verify them. Mr. Trump knows these facts and he outright lied to the American public. Granted, he lied with conviction and vigor, but he lied. I want to be totally clear, Mr. Trump did not just mis-state facts or statistics, he denied their existence; he lied. It does not matter how often Mr. Trump, or his enablers repeat these lies they are still lies. Reality does not change because Mr. Trump and his enablers lie. Issues like crime, immigration, fair taxation, and economic policies are not going to be solved by lying. Mr. Trump demonstrated he does not have command of fact based reality. President Joe Biden, even with a cold and barely able to speak, demonstrated his command of fact based reality. Mr Biden has also demonstrated his dedication and resolve to making life better for the American people using fact-based reality, not fantasies. Lying will not make America great.
June 23, 2024
This letter was printed in the Orleans Hub 6/19/24 under the heading “Trump dishonors veterans and their sacrifices for the Country,” and in the Lockport Journal 6/22/24 under the heading: “Trump demonstrates contempt for our national security.” This letter was sent to the Westside News but did not get printed. If you have any questions please let me know.
Dear Editor: I am a combat Vietnam veteran. I swore an oath to the Constitution of the United States and I physically defended this country with my life. As a combat veteran it offends me; angers, me when people support a candidate who gave classified material to Russia putting our national security at risk. Mr. Trump stated that he takes the word of Vladimir Putin over the entire U.S. intelligence apparatus. Think about that for a minute. A candidate who takes the word of a murderous Russian dictator over the thousands of Americans who swore an oath to protect and defend the United States. Those are facts. You can verify those facts. Mr. Trump has repeatedly demonstrated contempt for our national security. Mr. Trump refused to visit the gravesite of American heroes, calling those heroes “losers and suckers and he has insulted Gold-Star families. Yet, he saluted a North Korean General. This shows how little Mr. Trump respects those who defend our freedoms. The men I served with in Vietnam, the men that gave their life and limbs for the freedoms we enjoy were not “losers or suckers,” they were heroes. They believed in the idea of America and they fought for that idea. Please don’t vote those freedoms away by voting for an individual who dishonors our Constitution and those who defended it. Thank you.
Feb 18, 2024
June 28, 2023
Letter to Clarkson Democrats:
I am reaching out to Democrats in Clarkson to inform and engage citizens. Hopefully, some of you will join our local committee. Our next meeting will be July 22 at the Seymour Library.
Town of Clarkson: At Tuesday’s Town Board meeting I asked why they had held a clandestine meeting on 5/16/23. They gave me several excuses. First, they claimed it was posted on their website. I pointed out that it was posted only hours before the meeting. Then it was, that there was only one bid and that the Highway Superintendent, Bob Viscardi, was absent from the previous meeting. Finally, after more discussion, they said that the one bid they had was good for only a few days.
Martha Clasquin clarified that our concern was about the sudden unannounced nature of the meeting. It gives the feeling that the Town Board is trying to conceal town business.
David Behnke said that the Town should provide information and guidance to Lee Hicks to meet the red tape paperwork needed to sell used cars. (It would make Clarkson more business friendly).
Public Hearing: Unsafe building on Ridge Road. The owner said he was willing to start working on the building as soon as his Stop All Work order is lifted. Town Attorney, Keith O’Toole, and Building Inspector, Kevin Moore, discussed issues around the need for building permits and it seems that there was agreements and the Stop Work order would be lifted. Work should start soon on the building.
Please remember to return your bottles and cans to: Upstate Brockport Bottle and Can Return Center; 199 Main Street in Brockport (behind Dominio’s Pizza). Donate the proceeds to Clarkson Democrats. We greatly appreciate the donations; Thanks
If you have any comments or suggestions please contact me: wfine@rochester.rr.com. Thank you.
Bill
June 21, 2023
Letter to Clarkson Democrats:
I am reaching out to Democrats in Clarkson to inform and engage citizens. Hopefully some of you will join our local committee. Our next meeting is June 24th at the Seymour Library.
Town of Clarkson: The town board meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:pm. For the month of May the second and fourth Tuesday were the 9th and 23rd. At their May 9th meeting the town board discussed a bid from Rochester Colonial to replace windows at the town hall. Rochester Colonial was the only bidder and their cost was for $48,784.00. Since this was the only bid and was more than $23,000 over what the board estimated the cost should be they decided to table the discussion until the next meeting. The next announced meeting would be May 23rd. However, the Town Board met on May 16th and approved the $48,784.00 purchase of the windows. There was a brief discussion about Good Neighbor Day and the meeting was then adjourned. There was no announcement for the May 16th meeting. There was no mention of a May 16 meeting at the May 9th meeting and no announcement in Westside News. The $48,784.00 purchase was decided at a special unannounced meeting out of public scrutiny. It is very odd that the Town Board held a special meeting, a meeting with only one thing on the agenda without informing the public.
State: State Senator Rob Ortt was in full bluster at the end of the legislative session. Mr. Ortt pontificated that Democrats had not made New Yorkers safer or more affordable. He pointed out that at the start of this legislative session Republicans put out a comprehensive Rescue New York agenda. Republicans said solutions are easy, lower cost of living, and restore sanity to the criminal justice system. However, when I look up the Rescue New York agenda in the N. Y. Government Senate web site, it reports that Republicans put forward no legislation to advance this agenda. Mr. Ortt, it seems, is all bluster and no substance.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Mr. Ortt were sponsors of bills A01842/S00868 and A05331/S05183 this past year. The first bill would prohibit municipalities from the distribution of literature containing explicit warnings regarding the ownership or use of a firearm. As a warning that firearms are dangerous and to use with caution might discourage gun ownership. The second bill allows Orleans County to impose additional rates of sales and compensating use taxes.
Please remember to return your bottles and cans to: Upstate Brockport Bottle and Can Return Center; 199 Main Street in Brockport (behind Dominio’s Pizza). Donate the proceeds to Clarkson Democrats. We greatly appreciate the donations; Thanks
If you have any comments or suggestions please contact me: wfine@rochester.rr.com. Thank you.
Bill
June 7, 2023
Letter to Clarkson Democrats: I am reaching out to Democrats in Clarkson to inform and engage citizens. Hopefully some of you will join our local committee. Our next meeting is June 24th at the Seymour Library.Ju
Around Town: The Town Board is looking to make needed repairs at the current Town Hall, 3710 Lake Road. They advertised in the Westside News for bids. Rochester Colonial was the only one to respond and their estimate for window replacement was $48,784. The Town Board was estimating that window replacement would cost about $25,000. Lee Hicks of Big Time Service, 7978 Ridge Road, asked permission to sell cars at his location. He was informed that his property is not zoned to sell cars and he would need to get a special permit to sell cars. Keith O’Toole, the Town’s Attorney, explained to him the difficulty of changing zoning laws and that it couldn’t be done before next year. Mr. Hicks said he would be back in a couple of weeks to again ask the board to change zoning laws. Big Ash Fireplace & Stoves is looking to establish a location in Clarkson. Bringing new businesses into the area is a good sign of growth and vitality of the Community. Federal: The Federal government passed the debt ceiling bill with Republicans claiming that they forced a reduction in federal spending. However, the Congressional Budget Office sent a letter to Republican leaders on April 26, explaining the budgetary effects of work requirement for Medicaid recipients. In the letter they wrote: “In the agency’s estimation, under those requirements, federal costs would decrease, the number of people without health insurance would increase, the employment status of and hours worked by Medicaid recipients would be unchanged, and state costs would increase.” The CBO did outline ways to increase employment among Medicaid recipients such as providing child care and other services.
Please remember to return your bottles and cans to: Upstate Brockport Bottle and Can Return Center; 199 Main Street in Brockport (behind Dominio’s Pizza). Donate the proceeds to Clarkson Democrats. We greatly appreciate the donations; Thanks
If you have any comments or suggestions please contact me: wfine@rochester.rr.com. Thank you.
Bill
May 24, 2023
Federal Level: The House of Representatives passed H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act on 5/11/23 on a straight party line vote. According to the published summary of this bill it would require the government to resume construction of the border wall, prohibit states from imposing licensing requirements on immigration detention facilities and prohibit the government from processing asylum seekers who arrive at places other than at ports of entry. Immigration is an issue and has been an issue for some time. President Joe Biden sent immigration legislation to the House of Representatives on his first day in office but republicans refuse to consider the legislation. Meanwhile, border crossings are down by nearly 50% since Title 42 was expired.
State Level: State Senator Rob Ortt, Minority Leader, is blaming Democrats for the immigration crisis. There is a possibility that perhaps some migrants seeking asylum will be moved to upstate areas because of a lack of shelters elsewhere. The mere possibility of asylum seekers coming to our communities calls for the Declaration of Emergency shows the lack of preparedness and the level of fear — mostly fear. Republicans oppose temporarily housing migrants in unused college dorms. We overcome fear with knowledge and understanding. There are multiple peer-reviewed scientific studies that show that immigrants invigorate local economies, and that crime does not increase with an increase in undocumented or documented migrants. I find it hard to believe that Republicans are ignorant of all these studies over the past 20 years. I find it much more likely that Republicans are playing on people’s prejudices and fears for votes.
Local Level: Town Board Meeting 5/23/23 Lee Hicks of Big Time Service again asked for permission to sell cars from his location. Town Attorney Keith O’Toole informed him that his property was not zoned for car sales. There was discussion about property at 8438 Ridge Road that is an eyesore and in need of repair. The owners seem to be dragging their feet on needed repair. Also there was discussion about several properties with overgrown lawns. Please remember to return your bottles and cans to: Upstate Brockport Bottle and Can Return Center; 199 Main Street in Brockport (behind Dominio’s Pizza). Donate the proceeds to Clarkson Democrats. We greatly appreciate the donations; Thanks
If you have any comments or suggestions please contact me: wfine@rochester.rr.com. Thank you.
For reference on immigration. This is a small sample of articles and research. American Sociological Review: June 17, 2013 vol.78 issue 4 Cato Institute working paper Oct. 13, 2020 number 60 Journal of Ethnicity in Criminal Justice. Nov 21, 2016 vol 15 number 1 pages 52-77 Criminology March 25, 2018. Vol 56 issue 2. Pages 370-401
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I truly love youir blog.. Ecellent colors & theme.
Did you develop thbis site yourself? Please reply back as I’m attempting to create my own personal siote and would like to learn where you got
this from or just what the theme is called. Kudos! https://www.waste-Ndc.pro/community/profile/tressa79906983/
I truly love your blog.. Excellent colors & theme.
Did you develop this site yourself? Please reply back as
I’m attempting to create my own personal site and would like to learn wherre you got this from or just what the
theme iss called. Kudos! https://www.waste-Ndc.pro/community/profile/tressa79906983/
thanks for your comment. I am new to making websites myself. Sorry for not responding sooner as I only just now even found how to do this…
I started with watching utube videos on wordpress, which is what we are using. I found this website most helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s28x7sF3Ruc
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