The power of the press.

[Darth Stateworker]

www.timesunion.com/local/article/New-look-at-retirees-health-costs-1546805.php

Write an article asking the right embarrassing questions, politicians instantly change their tune. That is great news for our retirees.

I am actually quite surprised Rick Karlin wrote and the TU published the original article, because it seemed written in a way that supported the retirees plight and made Cuomo look like a grinch.

Just goes to show that Cuomo will back down from even a perceived threat to his image or anything that could lower his approval rating. Nobody likes to see retirees get the shaft, except the most cold hearted teabaggers.

Layoffs and concessions from active employees are currently a different story. The public is generally supportive of them at the time because they are all brainwashed into thinking about all these supposed fiscal problems the State of New York has, and thanks to Patersons attacks and the complacence and co-operation of the press over the last few years, they are brainwashed to think we are all overpaid, underworked nincompoops. The public does not have such an impression of retirees, and Cuomo is aware of this, so once it was brought up and he looked kinda grinchy, he instantly backpedaled, saying they never meant to change it for the retirees anyway. We all know that's bullshit to cover his ass.

As I keep saying, this is not a logical fight. The facts are all out there pointing out we are right. It's a political fight that must be fought with PR, buzzwords and catchphrases, must bring the facts to the forefront so that the public is actually aware of them, and must make people think less of Cuomo for his actions. If we do that, we win.

[mte]

Cuomo's people say they "recognize the burden" but then I picture them laughing and giving retirees a big fuck you, just like they do when they recognize any other burden inflicted on state workers. And when Karlin says hundreds of dollars, for me that's $81x12=$972 - that's close enough to say nearly $1000 - at least it is to me when it's out of my pocket. Oh and lets not forget the changing in coverage and co-pays as well as any other cost increases that come along that the Empire people deem necessary. As to that benefit from unused sick leave, that's a fixed amount that never goes up. But it was nice to see Karlin at least say"the percentages borne by workers have gone unchanged for years".

[mte]

Now I'd like to see the TU post a conversation between Cuomo and Obama discussing the recent debt ceiling crisis.

Cuomo: There's a crisis so Barry, you have to tell the people that and then act decisively, and then hold firm to your principles.
Obama: Andy, I've done that. I am firmly grounded in my principles, but I also recognize the need to compromise on some issues. I think even the Democratic Congress sees where some cuts can be made. We have to work together.
Cuomo: Work together? You mean for as long as we need them, then it's hit the road.
Obama: I've gone to the American people and told them the importance of not cutting the social service safety net, though there are some cuts that could be made, that we can't just stick it to the middle class, and that it's unfair to let the richest not also contribute to solving this crisis. You know, that letting the Bush era tax cuts expire - they don't even expire till after 2012 - that's not a new tax.
Cuomo: Uh, Barry, no, no, no. You've got to stick it to the middle class so they'll go along with breaking up the unions, and I'm letting a millionaires tax sunset because otherwise it would be seen as a new tax - we can't generate new revenue to solve this crisis under any circumstances.
Obama: But what about fairness?
Cuomo: I'll tell you about fair - social services are easy pickings because you can just say there is waste and corruption, and that you won't need it because of all the new jobs! And then have a commission that will do even more under the guise of streamlining everything.
Obama: Wha-a-a-at???
Cuomo: I mean it's not really a crisis anyway, is it? NYS really has a surplus. I mean, the US really wouldn't default.
Obama: I think you want Boner's office.
Cuomo: Ok, but remember, you can't say Cantor without saying "can't".
Obama: I think you better leave.
Cuomo: Barry - I've got two words for you - "gay marriage". The real reason I'm not married to Sara Lee is I secretly hope for a Koch brother ...

[donnah]

Well, that's a major relief. Hope it applies to copays too. And how come I never heard of RPEA before? Must join as soon as possible. Anyone else that's interested, here's their website:

www.rpea.org/

But if Cuomo thinks it'll shut me up and get me to stop encouraging a no vote to members of both unions, he's sadly mistaken. It kind of seems like he's thinking he'll throw the dog a bone and it'll go away to gnaw contentedly on it. Grrrr....