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Today's Poll: Who do you support in the governor's race?

By Howard B. Owens
Jeff Allen

There is a diverse showing of third party candidates. Don't discount them simply because you've never heard of them. Take a look at their platforms and consider casting a vote you can really be comfortable with. The only way third party candidates will ever make headway is if we actually vote for them. Sorry to quote it again, but it bears repeating...

Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.

John Quincy Adams

Jun 2, 2014, 9:03am Permalink
tom hunt

I use to support Mario's son. I liked what he has done for the State as far as calming the waters with the Seneca Indians. However, his distaste for Upstate residents and some of his latest comments have soured my taste for this candidate. I feel he has a run for the Presidency in mind. He appears to be following the Obama playbook in appealing to the low information, entitlement minded segment of NYC.

Jun 2, 2014, 10:04am Permalink
Mark Potwora

It amazes me how many believe a 2 party system of governance is the way to go..People who identify themselves by D or R are really just one in the same in New York State..

Jun 2, 2014, 10:39am Permalink
Kyle Slocum

Mark, a downstate NY republican is to the left of the average Americans who identify as democrat in flyover country. That is just the reality of the urban anthills.

That those same flyover country democrats still vote for democrat statists boggles the mind...

The home of statists in America is now the democrat party. The home of those who still believe in the quaint and reactionary American Constitution is (Despite the skankiness of the neighborhood) the republican party.

When I start seeing democrats defending freedom instead of expanding the state at the expense of human rights while defending the indefensible, I will reevaluate. But, voting for a third party candidate in a close election is voting for the major party schmuck you disagree with the most...

Jun 2, 2014, 6:59pm Permalink
Robert Brown

A close race? Cuomo is going to win without any serious contention. I recommend forgoing the 2 controlling parties and voting for someone who actually believes in less government, freedom with responsibility, and returning NYS to something that works for everyone not just the hand picked favorites of the controllers...

Jun 2, 2014, 7:54pm Permalink
John Woodworth JR

As a register Democrat and a member of a Democrat family, I have learned one thing in my twenty-nine years of voting that, Democrat, Republican, Conservative, Liberal, Libertarian, Independent, Socialist, Tea Party are just a useless title. For years are government have played the game that if you are part of this party or this party you are against American Freedoms and if you follow this party then our country can get back on track to glory!

Once again Democrats have used scare tactics to control and manipulate the non-informed or low informational voters. Do I believe the Republicans can do better? Right now I think Pee-Wee Herman could do a better job than our current Governor. I voted for Cuomo too but, after his recent policies on gun control (Doesn't he know, Guns are just a tool, people are the weapon. Focus on the mentally disturbed, emotionally unstabled, the criminals who purchase illegal guns. Focus on stopping people from being bullied, after all these are some of the same people who's reason to committed mass murder for revenge was due to being bullied.), free education for inmates (WTF, again the victim of a crime has less rights than those who violate them. Why would Cuomo screw most of our law abiding citizens who struggle to afford and further their education. Oh, Lawyers are often criminals), opening up additional casinos (Hasn't the NYS Lotto showed you NYS is corrupt and mismanages monies? What makes you think that, a NYS run casinos won't be?). Common sense has escape the voters who vote by party, race or emotions. Until people actually wake up and know the candidates and actually vote for those who can make a difference. It will be situation normal, "FUBAR!"

Jun 2, 2014, 8:22pm Permalink
Jim Rosenbeck

I believe that people are basically good and fundamentally capable of managing their own lives. That is why I am a libertarian. Democrats seem to believe that people are basically good. But, they also think that people are incapable of managing their own lives. That's how we get democrats deciding how large our soft drinks should be. Republicans on the other hand seem to believe that people are fundamentally evil and need to be controlled. That's why they support intimidation and oppression of our constitutionally guaranteed freedoms...all in the name of patriotism. If you are happy with where our state and country are headed keep voting for the the D's and R's. You won't be disappointed. Look at all of the candidates. Vote for the candidate of your choice, just please be informed. Our future depends on informed citizens questioning everything we have been told. I often vote for republicans and democrats in local elections. I honestly believe they all mean well. I wouldn't vote for either of their gubernatorial candidates though. I will vote for Michael Mcdermott for governor of the state of New York. He is the only candidate that reflects my convictionf that people are fundamentally good and capable of managing their own lives. Do your own due diligence.

Jun 2, 2014, 9:37pm Permalink
Jim Rosenbeck

Democrats too Jeff! Sometimes I vote for democrats too! I am open to the likelihood that good people who may serve the community well, might not share my world view. What about you? I will break it down a little more. I don't buy into the world view of either of the major parties. I have issues with them. However, I respect all of our local representatives. I believe that people are basically good and well intentioned. Just because I disagree with your world view doesn't make you evil in my book.

Jun 2, 2014, 10:50pm Permalink
Jeff Allen

"Republicans on the other hand seem to believe that people are fundamentally evil" that was a gratuitous over generalization that is not based on anything other than misguided portrayals. It seemed out of character for your usually well balanced, articulate posts. That's why the ?. I actually tend to fall into a majority of your world views and hope that it is the Libertarian Party that succeeds in getting more candidates on ballots. I just hate to see swipes like that. Thank you for the clarification.

Jun 3, 2014, 8:50am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

I believe it was Russell Kirk who observed that the worldview of conservatives is that people are fundamentally sinful (all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God), so government can't save them or fix them; whereas liberals believe in the perfectibility of man and so it's the duty of government bring about the perfect society.

Jun 3, 2014, 9:35am Permalink
Jim Rosenbeck

Jeff, The war on drugs and the war on terror are a couple of the recent unmitigated failures that have been embraced by the Republican Party. Today we stand as the nation that has incarcerated more of it's citizens than any country in the history of the world. A party that truly embraced the belief that people are basically good would not demonstrate such an extreme desire to control, regulate, enforce and punish it's citizens. The NDAA and the Patriot Act have turned this country into a more militarized state where every one of our communications is subject to surveillance. These were republican ideas and they sold under the guise of patriotism. Now of course the democrats have willingly embraced those same policies. But they come at it from a different angle. They enact legislation to take care of the unfortunate and downtrodden. Though I have yet to understand how criminalizing our private, consensual behavior and confiscating our civil liberties helps people. For me it's all about making government so small that there is no longer any reason why any special interest would want to buy it. But, in order to have that dream, you first have to believe that people are fundamentally good and fundamentally capable. The D's and R'a aren't there yet. That's why I am voting for Mike McDermott.

Jun 3, 2014, 9:48am Permalink
Jeff Allen

Being fundamentally sinful (or as that Scripture speaks to, having a sin nature as a result of Adams fall and the need for redemption through Jesus Christ) and being fundamentally evil (being in a perpetual state of manifesting that sin in our words and/or actions) are two VERY different things. It may seem like a modest difference but it is not. Republicanism and Conservatism are in many ways moving apart from each other and yet even so, saying that Republicans see people as fundamentally evil is just not accurate.

Jun 3, 2014, 10:05am Permalink
Jeff Allen

Trust me Jim, you don't have to sell me on the failures of Republicans at the state and national level. Our local representation being the exception.
"you first have to believe that people are fundamentally good and fundamentally capable" I happen to believe that people are infinitely good and infinitely capable, they just need the barriers of government and negativity taken out of their way.

Jun 3, 2014, 10:11am Permalink
Jim Rosenbeck

Evil is a strong word Jeff. I can understand how you might take issue with it. I would revise that statement and say that republicans are skeptical and untrusting of the fundamental goodness of man.

Jun 3, 2014, 10:13am Permalink
Dave Olsen

I know where Jim is going with this and it's really hard to do without the visual component of this discussion. Worldviews aren't complicated, just hard to describe in writing only. I bet Jim would enjoy a conversation about this with you Jeff, as would I. Once I was shown the concept by Dr. Mark Glogowski (candidate for our Assembly seat) in his book and the benefit of talking with him, it's simple and obvious. I share Jim's worldview and so does Mike McDermott. He would be a great governor. Honest, straight forward and a private sector businessman. A lover of liberty, Mike doesn't want to control your life or anyone else's.

Jun 3, 2014, 11:12am Permalink
Dave Olsen

And by the way, Jeff: " I happen to believe that people are infinitely good and infinitely capable, they just need the barriers of government and negativity taken out of their way."
That sounds like a Libertarian to me.

Jun 3, 2014, 11:15am Permalink
Brian Graz

You Libertarians know that I like you, and agree with the Libertarian ideology more than either of the two major parties. Your Assembly candidate Mark Glogowski, made an excellent point to me on Saturday. He said [paraphrasing]:
'just stop and think about all the Republicans who were complicit with approving and now funding the SAFE Act. So why in the world would you expect that a Republican will be any different than the status quo? You are never going to have Constitutional Liberty restored by either the Democrats or the Republicans... they are BOTH the ones who have taken it away'.

He is exactly right, I've known it, Ron Paul knew it [he was really a Libertarian, but chose to work within the GOP and they turned against him and forced him out]. But just like Ron Paul, I too realize that the Libertarian candidate will not beat Cuomo. The GOP candidate Astorino is the only one who has a chance, and that's an uphill battle for sure.

In my world presently, the 2nd Amendment fight is the #1 most important issue in our state and nation. If we lose that then ALL else is up for grabs by rogue politicians and government. Astorino has promised to support the 2nd Amendment, but more importantly to remove the Constitution violating SAFE Act. I'm willing to give him the chance to prove his word.

The answer to restoring the USA is not in the Democrat or Republican ideology... it is in the new grassroots rebellion against both of those tyrants. But in the meantime, I, like Ron Paul, will continue to work within the system, as much as I don't like it. While continuing to work to bring a new and better ideology to the forefront.

I will roll the dice this November and vote to defeat Cuomo [for Astorino], but this likely will be the last time I compromise in this manner.

Jun 3, 2014, 4:27pm Permalink

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