Nation’s capital is home to rich
People in Washington get rich by “schmoozing and manipulating” those “who control your money,” says John Stossel in RealClearPolitics. Government is “a parasite that helps its friends,” which is why...
View ArticleGovernment just robs Peter so it can pay Paul
You can tell this is an election year by the mail that is coming in: Politicians telling us how they saved us money on our school taxes by making the state pay more to public schools. Is that not still...
View ArticleSpend money on third bridge span
The recent news that a one-time windfall of $4.2 billion is headed the way of New York state has resulted in a clamor that it be used for all sorts of purposes. Some are more worthy than others, of...
View ArticleHorses die all for the sake of money
Seven horses have died this racing season in Saratoga. Pete Iorizzo, in his column “Racing at its best, worst,” Aug. 24, asks regarding horse racing: “Does the best justify the worst?” He was referring...
View ArticleIsrael has a right to defend itself
Albert Ormsby (“Israel’s attacks place its future in grave peril,” Aug. 17) seems to think that it is all right to attack someone as long as not too many people are injured when he says, “While such...
View ArticleWhy do we need a Lt. Governor?
Fred LeBrun is the best local voice in the Times Union. His column about Kathy Hochul and Tim Wu, contenders for lieutenant governor, is on the money as far as it goes (“Why we need to know more about...
View ArticleTax subsidies hold back free enterprise system
Timothy Killeen, president of the Research Foundation for SUNY, is quoted in the article “Will tail reveal tiger?” Sept. 19, as telling the Business Council of New York State, “We have a tail in our...
View ArticleLeave business of economy alone
Government intervention has made a mess of our economy. With the obsession that grants and tax breaks to businesses will create jobs and bring prosperity, the government overlooks the fact that...
View ArticleMini-pork is still pork
Our opinion: Albany County legislators may be doling out money from their slush fund to deserving causes, but it’s still public money and more oversight and transparency are needed. A little-known...
View ArticleShed light on charity races
Our opinion: Researching how much money goes to charity from road races organized by for-profit companies is difficult. This multibillion-dollar industry needs an infusion of sunlight. That charity...
View ArticleProposals, good and bad
Our opinion: We recommend voters reject Proposal 1 and Proposal 3, and approve Proposal 2. There’s little to cheer about among the ballot proposals facing voters Tuesday. Proposal 2 stands out as such...
View ArticleOne shot to get it right
Our opinion: A multibillion-dollar windfall offers New York a way to do a lot of good. The state’s failing infrastructure should be the top priority. Thanks to a multitude of civil and criminal...
View ArticleUse declined raise to keep Half Moon
Kudos to State University of New York Chancellor Nancy Zimpher who graciously declined a handsome raise in pay, recognizing the inappropriateness of such a windfall while students are struggling to pay...
View ArticleBuild correctly to save money
As Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature consider the uses for the settlements from large financial institutions, the need for investments in the crumbling infrastructure seem, rightly, to be at the...
View ArticleLet voters have a say in education
In their commentary, Zephyr Teachout and Karen Scharff have revealed this year’s scheme by the conservative right and the governor to further subvert the aims of public education in New York state...
View ArticleWork to overturn Citizens United
The corrupting influence of money on politics is surely an issue where people of all backgrounds and political views can come together. Therefore, I was heartened to see a bipartisan panel following...
View ArticleRetirees deserve full compensation
The federal budget passed by Congress is a disaster for working people. The law will allow multi-employer pension plans to cut benefits for current retirees, something never allowed before. The...
View ArticleExplain how debt continues to spiral
It’s unbelievable that we’ve had another vote to spend $1 trillion to keep our government from shutting down, only adding to our $18 trillion national debt. This is becoming the norm for the way our...
View ArticleHoop contract all about the money
As a University at Albany alum, I believe the contract for the yearly UAlbany-Siena College basketball game should not be renewed (“Rivalry in final year of deal,” Dec. 11). Siena Athletic Director...
View ArticleMake immigrants follow our rules
Why does immigration need to be fixed to allow illegal immigrants to stay? It should be “fixed” to keep illegals out and send home those that have not entered legally. If someone were to break into my...
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