| "Downstate Democrats." "New York City Democrats." These are the words usually used here in upstate to describe Democrats who just happened to reside in the southern parts of New York. The Republicans have used the "upstate-downstate divide" as a way to, well, divide us. During the Joe Mesi-Mike Ranzenhofer debate today, Ranzenhofer threw around the same downstate labels that have come to divide us as if we were two separate states.
Sen. Malcolm Smith was joined by Democratic incumbents and challengers to reaffirm their commitment to rebuilding upstate and the upstate economy.
Jobs gone, homes lost and high property taxes for working families- that is the Republican record in Upstate New York. Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith was joined by Congress members Louise Slaughter and Brian Higgins, State Senators Bill Stachowski, Ruth Hassell-Thompson, Antoine Thompson, Bill Perkins and John Sampson, Assemblywoman Annette Robinson, and Democratic Senate candidates Rick Dollinger, Joe Mesi and Kathy Konst to discuss the benefits a Democratic-controlled Senate would bring to Upstate New York. In 40 years of controlling the State Senate, Republicans have failed to meet the needs of working class New Yorkers, leaving Upstate New York with a crumbling economy that no longer works for its people. But change is coming.
"Fighting to protect the special interests over working families, Republicans have raised your taxes, spent your money and shipped away your jobs from Upstate New York- that's the Republican record in Albany," said Democratic Senate Leader Malcolm A. Smith. "40 years of failure is enough, it's time for change. A Democratic Majority will reduce the growth of property taxes, create and protect jobs through economic development and slash wasteful government spending," said Smith.
On a three-day trip to Upstate New York, Smith, joined by his Democratic Senate colleagues and candidates met with labor and clergy leaders to discuss their commitment to repairing the decimated Upstate economy. With various stops in Rochester and Buffalo, Smith assured families that a change in the Senate would bring a much-needed change to Upstate New York where factories have closed and jobs have been lost to overseas markets.
This past year, Senate Democrats attempted to revitalize the struggling Upstate economy and protect the homes of working families by introducing legislation to eliminate tax breaks for companies that outsource jobs and by proposing a moratorium on home foreclosures. Though families are losing their jobs and homes as the financial crisis worsens, Senate Republicans blocked both measures to protect working families.
"Special interests still control Albany and spending is out of control, but the only jobs Senate Republicans have fought to protect are their own. That ends on Election Day. Republicans have had their chance and failed. It's time for a change because New Yorkers deserve better," said Democratic Senate Leader Malcolm A. Smith.
Coming from upstate, I have heard the Republican talking points on what Democrats will do once they are elected. The hypocrisy of that is the Republicans have made Long Island their base, yet have used the downstate label against the Democrats because of New York City.
This is a great way for people to hear from the Democrats in New York and how they will approach upstate issues. We need to strive for ridding these labels from our politics, but that will take time. Right now though, we need to have the best candidates who will do the best job for New York, whether it's upstate or downstate. |
