The Amazing Vision of a Blind Man

ROCHESTER - Leave it to New York's status quo culture to create an environment where the leading visionary in the state is a blind man. The legally blind leading the metaphorically blind, as it were. Governor Paterson has shown courage and wisdom since being thrust into the Governor's office. The accidental Governor has shown us that he can lead the state and tackle issues deemed too politically dangerous in the past. Aren't we lucky? We should be counting our blessings, but the coming months will prove whether or not we are willing to grin and bear it or not.

For years New Yorkers have complained about Albany's high taxing and big spending ways. People have paid lip service to correcting that, but it never happens. Lip service seems to be enough though, for New Yorkers, as we float along in the River Status Quo. We re-elect our leaders left and right because they say the right things, but far too many are content to say the right things and do the wrong things. Finally, a true leader has stepped up and promised to give us what we want. Massive cuts and less spending. Do we really want this? We shall see. It will be an adjustment for many and a shock for others.

Rochester Mayor Bob Duffy noted that every time the city tries to cut something, people come out of the woodwork to protest it. It seems that maybe we don't want to 'cut up NY's credit cards', as our fearless Governor proposed. Our Governor is right though, we have to. It is the only way. There was a time when we could afford to spend recklessly. Even recently there was a time when we could afford to spend somewhat lavishly. Those times are not now. We all have to suck it up and deal with more state level 800 hot lines, longer DMV lines, and more potholes on the Thruway. We will have to force our not-for-profits to go without the giant checks our elected officials like to give out. We may even have to force private companies to get back to good ol' capitalism instead of blackmailing the government for tax breaks.

Times get tough for governments like they do for families. We have to learn to say 'no' and I am happy to see our Governor showing courage in doing so. Many interests, many of them very powerful, will be lining up to take shots at him. He knows this and he is taking a stand anyway. He is also displaying his wisdom, because many political proposals do little but treat the symptoms of our problems in New York. Paterson is looking long term and trying to cure the disease, so that we may be healthier longer into the future. We are lucky to have Paterson as our Governor because with his vision, he will save us all.