Immigration: Semantics or Support and Defend

As a Native American, but not an American Indian Native American, I am offended by the assault on
my country by the illegal aliens that are here in violation, disregard and contempt of our laws and sovereignty. I applaud the recent change in the Arizona law that added a layer of state penalties to what already exists under federal law. I only wish our own New York State legislators had the backbone to follow suit. They don’t and it’s one reason I’m running for the assembly seat. Arizona’s was a desperate cry for help from the federal government that was and is still being ignored. None other than our president is leading the brouhaha that some politicians have falsely created over this new legal update. This is no different than when he made the comment that Boston Police Officers were stupid because they arrested the professor for breaking into his own house when he refused their request for identification.

Our politicians, other leaders and even foreigners who are simply publicity whores are not acting in the
best interest of our country. By the way, I’m not looking to insult prostitutes when I mention whores, whose chosen profession, in most places, is also illegal. But the question remains, why are our politicians being so dishonest and so openly anti-America? Could it be, as some have suggested, that once these illegal aliens are given what Congressional candidate Jim Russell has coined as “Obamnesty”, they will shortly thereafter receive driver’s licenses, along with the ability to vote? I believe the answer is, “Yes!” Once they can vote, they will assuredly drift toward voting for Democratic Party candidates, whose leadership validated the illegal actions to permit the “Obamnesty”.

When a politician takes office, they swear an oath to that office. Here is the complete text for any number of federal offices, and I have made “bold” what I believe relevant to this argument: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.” In New York, it is slightly
different: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the constitution of the United States, and the
constitution of the State of New York, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of (position), according to the best of my ability.”

I find it interesting that while Arizona’s pleas for help went unheeded, everyone at the federal level turned a blind eye to the crime, gangs and kidnappings that were running rampant for over a decades’ time near the border and beyond. Following the exact tenets put forth under the Constitution of the United States, Arizona legislators followed to the letter, the oaths they swore to uphold when assuming office. A fact largely dismissed by “pro-illegals” advocates is that when an American travels legally to a foreign country, they are required to carry identification and provide it when requested by the authorities. This being the case, should this not be a requirement of the global citizenry the president is so desperate to reduce our country to? So Mr. President, since you are no longer a community organizer, and in fact 

our president, how about acting presidential? Start securing our borders, bring deportation proceedings against those people who are here illegally and then you can criticize Arizona.

The violations of trust and respect for our country has been a long, on-going issue that won’t be resolved overnight. The president didn’t create what is going on but he is certainly exacerbating it. Arizonians, tired of being ignored by a system of corrupt individuals who are running our government into the ground, took action. Like a schoolyard of spoiled brats who complained to the teacher when they were finally exposed, they tried to spin the truth into something it wasn’t.

Finally, what a welcome relief to see legislators with “a set” who are willing to take action and do the right thing for their constituents! Here’s a link to read the actual law. You’ll be able to see that nowhere in the law is the scenario the president so wrongfully touts about getting arrested while buying your kids ice cream because you don’t have your wallet with your ID. Please, read it for yourself:
h t t p : / / w w w. a z l e g . g o v /l e g t e x t / 4 9 l e g / 2 r / b i l l s /sb1070s.pdf

One more interesting bill that Arizona is proposing, and it’s been largely ignored by the lamestream media, as well, is their House Bill 2281, which amends Section 15-843 of Arizona Revised Statutes relating to School Curriculum. It prohibits a school district or charter school from including courses or classes that either promote the overthrow of the United States government or promote resentment toward a race or class of people, as well as banning ethnic studies and promoting equality. Wow! I’m liking these guys more and more.

Thomas Bock, a Systems Administrator, is a candidate for the 92nd New York State Assembly in Albany. He is a life-long resident of Elmsford/Town of Greenburgh and a 37-year member and former Chief of the Elmsford Fire Department. You can read more on ElectTomBock. com; ElectTomBock.blogspot.com and can reach him by directing email to ElectTomBock@gmail.com.

Why I'm a Candidate for New York State Assembly-92nd District

My name is Tom Bock, and I live in the Fulton Park neighborhood in the Town of Greenburgh, NY. I was just asked again to describe myself and thought I should re-post a little bit about me. I did a similar post when I was running for County Legislator. So, here goes...


I am a life-long Greenburgh resident and when I got married, twenty-two years ago, I moved to Fulton Park with my wife, Sue. We had the dreams that most young couples have when they are starting out and began to plan our future. We worked non-stop on our fix-er-upper house for a year, slowly making it nicer for us. It's still not done. Many projects have been put on hold as we continue to subsidize the local, state and federal governments more and more. My son, Cameron, now 18 years old, is quite an accomplished musician and hopes to pursue his education in music, following in the footsteps of his teacher and mentor, my dad, John. My parents still live in Greenburgh as well.

I've been a volunteer firefighter in the Elmsford F.D., for 37 years and am still active in firefighting, technical rescue and hazardous materials responses. In 1989 and 1990 I served as the Chief of the department. On a County level, I have been a member of the Westchester County Hazardous Materials Response Team and am a co-founder of the Westchester County Technical Rescue Team. Both of these teams are all-volunteer and serve to protect the entire County and it's guests. I am a director on both the Westchester County Association of Fire Chiefs and the Westchester County Volunteer Firefighter's Association.

When Hurricane Katrina struck, I organized a one-weekend fund-raising drive through the fire service and the Chiefs' Association. We raised and distributed over $180,000 to the emergency services in the Harrison Fire District in Mississippi. I also helped coordinate a delivery of $35k in Christmas gifts to this same Gulf region with our great corporate neighbor, Modell's Sporting Goods.

I am also proud to be a founding Board member for the Just Imagine Making Miracles Yours (J.I.M.M.Y.) Foundation, of Somers, NY, helping terminally and seriously ill children and their families. I have also been involved with the Burn Center at the Westchester County Medical Center.

I responded with many of my fire service colleagues to NYC when we were attacked on September 11, 2001. As a result of my involvement in the fire service, I was asked to participate on the (volunteer) Westchester County Weapons of Mass Destruction Planning Committee and the Special Operations Oversight Committee. These very important organizations work to help Westchester's residents and guests be safe and be prepared for many types of emergencies that we never dreamed of before 9-11. 

Like most of you, I am disgusted with the exorbitant tax increases we've been punished with over the years. We have seen patronage positions given out without regard to need, expertise, or expense. The abuses and waste are pervasive and needs to be stopped! I want to work to end these abuses, reduce the size of government and return accountability and responsibility to the people of New York! I will do my best to help bring business and jobs to New York, reduce taxes for individuals and business and revamp the never-ending drain of subsidized housing that helps developers profit and keeps individuals from owning their own home, whether it's a co-op, condo or house.

I'm running in this election for New York State Assembly 92nd District to try and take back control of our Albany government. I am not a career politician. Richard Brodsky, who is a career politician, has been there for years and I believe is part of the Albany debacle. In fact, I never considered running for a full-time position for anything until Albany began the relentless tax assault upon us. Albany should treat our neighborhoods, the fabric of our society, with respect. That hasn't happened in years!

I can't sit back and hope others will step up and do something. I am stepping up to the challenges we face and will work to represent all the neighborhoods in the 92nd District, which includes Greenburgh, Mount Pleasant, White Plains, and Yonkers. I don't have every answer for every issue. My opponents will and they will be very slick ones at that. 


If you feel your voice has been ignored, if you are tired of being abused and if you want to see honesty and accountability in New York's Government, help me to help us fight back. Join my campaign to help and vote for me.

Together we can make a difference.

Thank you.

Tom

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Rejuvenating Good Government!

Tom Bock
ElectTomBock.com
email: ElectTomBock@gmail.com
264 Old Kensico Road
(Greenburgh)
White Plains, NY 10607
914-437-2635

Government Salt - We Can Do Better!

   Recently, in practically every facet of the news media, a serious and life threatening issue has been brought to light. You may be thinking that some group has been discriminated against, or performing more abortions or even workplace deaths! Nope. It’s that Americans in general, and New Yorkers specifically, here it comes: eat too much salt! OMG! Too much salt. How did that happen? Who was in charge here? Can we enact a law to limit salt content? C'mon, let's go people. Let's get a microphone and stick it in front of Chuck Schumer to hear what he has to say.

   Okay, hold on just a second. You might not be able to tell, but I'm being facetious here. Not only do I think this salt intake issue has gotten out of hand, the media is covering it like a plane crash of school children going to help aids victims. Not only is this not a big deal, who cares how much salt I eat? Sure, you can argue that salt is not good for you in general and that too much salt is unhealthy. So? Smoking is no good for you but the government doesn't tell you how many cigarettes to smoke. Although, I am more than a little fearful that that might be next. 

   The first issue I have with the government's role is that government is supposed to protect its citizens. That's the primary responsibility of government. I always believed that meant on a federal level to keep America from being attacked from our enemies. To that end, I disagree with the President's nuclear disarmament plan, especially with the ever-growing list of crackpots getting more and more nuclear weaponry. And, I'm not even talking about how the panty-bomber was able to get on an airplane and then failed, thankfully, to blow it up, only burning his groin. While I cringe even thinking about that, how embarrassing will that be for him when he gets to prison?

The second issue then, is how much protection should our government render and to what extent? At the state and local levels I believe government should make sure we are safe and reasonably protected in our neighborhoods and homes. So when government officials, unable to pass new laws because we already have more than enough, begin to harp on superfluous things like my salt intake, I get mad! Instead of worrying about displaying calories on menus for overweight people in fast food restaurants, where they shouldn’t be anyway; instead of worrying if I am wearing a bicycle helmet when cycling (not to be confused with motorcycling helmets); instead of worrying about whether or not a hair-stylist trims my beard (it is actually against the law), how about focusing on some real issues that might not get a TV camera to focus on you.

How about securing our borders? How about eliminating wasteful social programs and reducing my taxes and focusing on performance of basic services and a diminution of the less essential services? How about a tax moratorium on new businesses and businesses moving to NY State? How about simply making NY State more business friendly? How about giving tangible financial breaks and incentives to people who volunteer their time to help others and their communities? How about term limits? How about a ceiling on how much a state employee can make in their position in overtime? How about a use it or lose policy with regards to state employee vacation and sick time?  How about doing away with the unfunded mandates that are crippling our villages, towns and cities? How about a NY State Constitutional amendment to ensure a balanced, on-time budget before taxes can be raised?

If these questions make sense to you, I ask you to vote for me this November for New York State Assembly - 92nd District. The seat is currently held by Richard Brodsky. He's been there so long, I can't even tell you who was there before him! It's time for a change and to clean house. It's time to take back New York from the politicians and special interests and give it back to the people! Help me to make the Empire State great again!

Can "Needless" Lowey Be Beaten?

I believe the answer is finally, yes! I received a mailing from her, probably the groundwork for other, future mailings as we approach the November Elections, where she claims she is lowering taxes for Westchester residents. Wow! It's an amazing piece of (false) advertising. If she keeps saying it enough, eventually even she will be able to believe it. But you shouldn't. She is one of the premier tax-and-spend representatives we have. 

The Republicans should be able to pick up a few political seats this November. Previous elections have been in favor of the Democrats. It's proven counter-productive, removing balance and proportionality from the creation of law and the tax-and-spend part of responsible and responsive government. We see this in many cities, towns and villages. My first hand account of a one-party debacle in high gear is the Town of Greenburgh. To read more, go to: ABetterGreenburgh.blogspot.com.

The Republican field of candidates hoping to defeat "Needless" Lowey has been huge. The order of appearance at the first Forum held for these potential challengers was Alexander Block, Mark Rosen, Patrick Whalen, Jim Russell, Paul Wasserman,  and Patrick Gillespie. During the forum, Patrick Whalen surprised everyone when he announced at the end of his half hour speech that his "advisors" recommended it wasn't the right time for him, so he dropped out. You're killing me Pat - why wait so long and drag this out if you plan to quit?Since then, Mark Rosen also dropped out siting his possible military reserve recall. Of the current batch of candidates, the only two viable candidates seem to be Jim Russell and Paul Wasserman.

I think Rosen may have seen the race as too difficult even though he seemed to have the unofficial backing of the Westchester Republican party. They circled the wagons and dismissed the other candidates. It was evident at the forum held in Hastings. When Rosen spoke, they were all in the room, then half the room disappeared when the others spoke. Even if the deal was done, shouldn't the party faithful have given the courtesy of listening to all the candidates? Certainly.

When Russell and Wasserman spoke, they spoke of issues. And, Russell had more of a tangible command of the issues. The republicans should back Russell. But, they'll probably go with Wasserman, the former democrat-now-turned-republican, because he has money and can raise more. Russell doesn't have that going for him. They never ask what someone brings to the party and what the party can do for them, only how much money they have. That's a sad commentary on our political process, regardless of party.

In the end, between T.E.A. party-goers, frustrated Americans, dishonest politicians, politicians who beat their wives and so much more, it's time for Albany to get some real change, positive role models and a tax system that offers not only to take huge amounts of your money, but to use it wisely.

THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER

THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER

This one is a little different......

Two Different Versions....

Two Different Morals  

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OLD VERSION

The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.

The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.

Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed.

The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.    

MORAL OF THE STORY:

Be responsible for yourself!

 

---

 

MODERN VERSION

The ant works hard in the withering heat and the rain all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.

 

The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.

 

Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while he is cold and starving.

 

CBS, NBC , PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food.

 

America is stunned by the sharp contrast.

 

How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?

 

Kermit the Frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper and everybody cries when they sing, 'It's Not Easy Being Green...'

 

ACORN stages a demonstration in front of the aunt’s house where the news stations film the group singing, “We shall overcome.” Then Rev. Jeremiah Wright has the group kneel down to pray to God for the grasshopper's sake.

 

President Obama condemns the ant and blames President Bush, President Reagan, Christopher Columbus, and the Pope for the grasshopper's plight.

 

Nancy Pelosi & Harry Reid exclaim in an interview with Larry King that the ant has gotten rich off the back of thegrasshopper, and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.

 

Finally, the EEOC drafts the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer.

 

The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the Government Green Czar and given to the grasshopper.

 

The story ends as we see the grasshopper and his free-loading friends finishing up the last bits of the ant’s food while the government house he is in, which, as you recall, just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around them because thegrasshopper doesn’t maintain it.

 

The ant has disappeared in the snow, never to be seen again.

 

The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident, and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the ramshackle, once prosperous and once peaceful, neighborhood.

 

The entire Nation collapses, bringing the rest of the free world with it.

 

MORAL OF THE STORY:

Be careful how you vote in 2010.

 

I’ve sent this to you because I believe that you are an ant, not a grasshopper! Make sure that you pass this on to otherants.

 Don’t bother sending it on to any grasshoppers because they wouldn’t understand it, anyway.

President Promises Hope & Change, Castelli Delivers with 89th District Special Election Win

 With a victory of 55% to 45% over his challenger, Republican State Assemblyman-elect Robert “Bob” Castelli proved that his message and exorbitant taxes are more important than his Democratic opponent Peter Harckham’s rhetoric. In a phone conversation with Bob early this morning, he told me he was anxious to get to Albany to get to work, but didn’t know what the time table was for his swearing-in and “seating” in Albany. He also hoped to be able to thank his supporters and those who helped in with his campaign in short time.

Bob Castelli has been a dedicated public servant, as a Vietnam veteran who, after a distinguished 21-year career in the New York State Police, received his graduate degree in public administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Bob uses his experience to help shape the future leaders of our government as a college professor. He is a small businessman, operating a security consulting business where he provides expert advice and commentary to television and print media on criminal justice and homeland security matters. He is a former Lewisboro Councilman, and was chair of the Public Safety and Emergency Services Committees of County Executive Rob Astorino's transition team. Bob is the father of two sons: Christian, a Lt. Colonel in the United States Army Special Forces, and also a graduate of the Kennedy School, and Paul, an ordained Minister, serving a congregation in southern Florida.

Harckham, who had won the November reelection of his county legislative seat, was thought to be disingenuous with his run for county legislator and by ignoring his constituent’s trust running for another office, with ultimately nothing to lose. We’ve seen this same scenario before with Thomas Abinanti, also a Westchester County legislator who fell back to his “safe” county position after being similarly defeated. One more County Legislator, Mike Kaplowitz, is currently pursuing a comparable move. Harckham, has been a county legislator since 2007, and served on six county legislative committees this past term. The lowest amount of additional money paid to a committee member is $3,000. Multiply this amount by his six committees and he made at least an additional $18,000 on top of his $49,000 yearly salary for a part-time job. In these tough times, maybe he and his colleagues should forego their extra salary perks for simply doing their part-time job. 

If the electorate is truly fed up with the shenanigans of our legislators, Bob Castelli’s victory, right after Rob Astorino’s in Westchester and Scott Brown’s in Massachusetts, may be a sign of the hope and change President Obama promised during his campaign. Both candidates sold themselves as outsiders whose main goal was to reform Albany's dysfunctional operations. Interestingly, at a forum held in Chappaqua with Castelli and Harckham, both men discussed the reforms they planned to initiate if elected. Apparently, the electorate could not get past Harckham’s contradictory claims of being a reformer and in the forefront of the uncontrollable and über-bloated Spano administration.

The record setting snowstorm that just ended may delay Bob Castelli’s getting to Albany by a day or two. Hopefully, that will be the only delay in the beginning of a new era of reform in Albany. God knows we're ready!

Help Lower Oil Dependency & Prices

   Gas rationing in the 70's worked even though we grumbled about it.  It might even have been good for us! 

   The Saudi's are boycotting American products and yet we continue to buy their oil. They are gouging us ans we continue to purchase gasoline from them at alarming rates.
 
Shouldn't we return the favor?  Can't we take control of our own destiny and let these giant oil importers know who REALLY generates their profits, their livings?  How about leaving American Dollars in America and reduce the import/export deficit?

An appealing remedy might be to boycott their GAS.  Every time you fill up your car you can avoid putting more money into the coffers of Saudi Arabia .  Just purchase gas from companies that do not import from the Saudis.

Nothing is more frustrating than the feeling that every time I fill up my tank, I'm sending my money to people who want me, my family and my friends dead.

The following gas companies import Middle Eastern oil:

Shell: 205,742,000 barrels
Chevron/Texaco: 144,332,000 barrels
Exxon /Mobil: 130,082,000 barrels
Marathon/Speedway: 117,740,000 barrels
Amoco: 62,231,000 barrels

And CITGO oil is imported from Venezuela by Dictator Hugo Chavez who hates America and openly avows our economic destruction!  (We pay Chavez's regime nearly $10 Billion per year in oil revenues!)

The U.S. currently imports 5,517,000 barrels of crude oil per day from OPEC.  If you do the math at $100 per barrel, that's over $550 million PER DAY ($200 BILLION per year!) handed over to OPEC, many of whose members are our confirmed enemies!!!!! It won't stop here - oil prices could go to $200 a barrel or higher if we keep buying their product. 

Here are some large companies that do not import Middle Eastern oil: