It Was All Good Just A Week Ago

You can come up with your own caption for this travesty right here. All I can say is: What a difference a handful-and-a-half of days makes. SMH.

Is This What All Of The Smoke & Mirrors Is Camouflaging?...

Since David Paterson was inducted into office on Monday and publicly confessed to his private-life sins, his visage has covered the front page of almost every New York news periodical. His picture has been captioned with a variety of witticisms and puns alluding to his indiscretions.

However tucked away in the New York Post, in an article that took up less than an eighth of a page, is one if the most stirring official acts that David Paterson has committed during his brief tenure as governor thus far. The headline of this article states that "Paterson Rejects Tax On Wealthy."

In an effort to close the $5 Billion gap in the New York State budget, the democrats suggested a .85% income tax increase for residents who make more than $1 Million a year. David Paterson rejected this proposal made by his party members. Instead, he has opted to side with republican Mayor Bloomberg, and is declining a tax increase on his wealthier constituents.

According To The New York Post, in lieu of the less than 1% income tax increase for the affluent citizens of New York, David Paterson is requesting $800 Million in cuts. Where exactly these cuts will be applied has remained to be seen. Without the specific details, I am unsure of what the resulting damage of Governor Paterson's plan will be. However, $800 Million of cuts seems like a frightening proposition. I venture to guess that most of those cuts are likely to adversely affect those who are most in need. After all, isn't that how it usually works? We will soon find out since the state's constitution mandates that the state's budget must be finalized by April 1st. [Sidebar: April fool's day...how apropos.]

Et Tu? Isn't Anyone Faithful Anymore?

It's been less than 72 hours, since Governor David Paterson and his wife admitted to having affairs in the past when their marriage hit a "rough patch." Since this confession, the details of the Governor's infidelities has been quickly expanding. What was first thought to be a single affair that commenced over half-a-decade ago, has now increased into multiple affairs- including one with a state government employee in the not-so-distant past.

Being human beings, we can all site our own personal sins of omission and/or commission (in varying degrees of severity- of course). However, I as a citizen, am becoming nonplussed with all of the sordid personal decisions that many of our government leaders are making. This is especially so when personal decisions cast a deep shadow on what should be the task-at-hand- making complex decisions that affect the lives of millions.

David Paterson, separates himself from other recent politicians caught up in extramarital affairs, by stating that he never used his governmental position to advance or facilitate his liaisons. However, the debate is still open on whether politicians who are unfaithful in their personal lives are qualified to hold positions that necessitate integrity and honesty. I personally feel that certain decisions and life patterns are indicators of an individual's character. However, the jury is also still out on the competency vs. character factor; and which weighs more in the minds of the constituents.

As for David Paterson, his political peers and the press seem to be on his side. They are mostly stating that the Governor's dalliances are a personal issue that he has handled well publicly.

[Sidebar/Note-To-Self: When it comes to future prospects: Politicians who party like rockstars < Actual rockstars. SMH]