"Gang of Four's" Latest B.S. About Latino Representation

you're right but they have a point (0.00 / 0)

I don't underestimate the personal ambitions of these four men and agree this is a smokescreen for their own agendas, but there is some substance to this.  Look at state government in the executive and legislature and Hispanices are underrepresented in leadership.  All three leaders should work to rectify this.

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by: newtham @ Fri Nov 07, 2008 at 13:39:07 PM UTC

That's true (0.00 / 0)

but there is still no reason why that would change by keeping Skelos in power

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by: Roatti @ Fri Nov 07, 2008 at 14:28:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

This is not a BS issue to Latinos in NY (0.00 / 0)

IMHO TAPers getting their shorts in a twist by implying that Diaz has not been an honest advocate for Latino-based issues in New York - are dead wrong.  I think folks in this neck of the blogosphere should:

1] Realize that this a very important issue in the Latino community,and

2] Recognize that REAL CHANGE in Albany requires dealing with this question.  

Frankly this is a VASTLY underreported pubic policy concern that garners little if any concern even in TAP

Take for example the assertion that Senator Diaz is simply a fecklessly foolish lulu and power mad pol.  This simply is not correct look at:

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes...

Senator Diaz and Assemblyman Peralta castigated HRC for firing Solis Doyle as her campaign manager.  For the record it should be noted that both Senator Diaz and Assemblyman Peralta vigorously supported the candidacy of President-Elect Obama.

The Latino Community is taken for granted by the Democratic Party in New York.  One need only look at other states with substantial Latino populations. Hispanics in those states have been brought into the policy making and political mainstream.  This state has a long Know Nothing history and many ethnics that were formerly demeaned have now chosen to practice the politics of division.  For example, we need only look at the defacto residential segregation that exists on Long Island.  Look at Levy's governing style which uses xenophobic memes and policies to relentlessly attack Latinos.  One need only remind TAPers that Assemblyman Ramos faced primary opposition due to his defense of the Latino community in Long Island.  After Assemblyman Ramos decisively won his primary race - Levy blunted stated he'd continue to oppose Assemblyman Ramos.

I note the above because the Gang of 4s assertions are in fact correct.  The powers that be in New York obdurately refuse to give Latino their rightful place at the seats of power in this state.  One need only look no further than how policy positions are distributed throughout the Legislature.  This is also true throughout all of state government including its agencies like SUNY and CUNY.  I note all of the above because something has got to change in Albany.  Frankly it is hypocritical to praise how this election brought about historic change without dealing in a substantive manner with the issues raised by the Gang of Four.  TAPers attacking Latino politicians who are trying to force Albany to progressively deal with New York's Latino community is a classic case of killing the messenger.  

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by: ElPocho @ Fri Nov 07, 2008 at 14:30:08 PM UTC

Like I said (0.00 / 0)

concerns about latino representation are valid.  But there is still no reason why supporting Skelos would change anything to favor latinos.  Can you name one?

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by: Roatti @ Fri Nov 07, 2008 at 16:18:11 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Fair question (0.00 / 0)

I'll ask Skelos tonight and see if he can answer that question; seriously I was told a few minutes ago, by a senior Paterson advisor, that Smith is probably going to the the majority leader and that the issues raised by the Gang of Four are currently being addressed.

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by: ElPocho @ Fri Nov 07, 2008 at 22:03:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

State Senate and Latinos (0.00 / 0)

As the New York Times is reporting today -- this issue appears to be on its way toward being resolved: they will support the Democrats in the Senate,  the Senate's leadership will be retooled, i.e., Malcolm Smith may not be the majority leader, Latinos will get some leadership posts within the Senate and last but not least of all -- Albany cannot marginalize Latinos any longer.

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by: ElPocho @ Fri Nov 07, 2008 at 15:41:01 PM UTC