Following politics has always been a pastime of mine, and I have been active Democratic campaigns on and off since the late 1980's. Our local Democratic club has a steady stream of political hopefuls and campaign people coming to speak and ask for support. But four years ago, when Andrew Cuomo ran for governor, we didn't hear from his campaign. Nobody ever came to ask for support.
After the election, it became clear to me why. Cuomo had support from both establishment Dems, and big developers, insurance companies, and banks, hedge fund managers and real estate brokers; he didn't need support from Democrats who actually believed in things.
During these past four years, Andrew Cuomo has not done right by the people of New York. His educational policy has made tens of thousands of students sour on school. In order to get USDOE "race to the Top" $$$ he forced the legislature to lift the cap on charter schools, attached student test scores to teacher evaluations, and streamlined the dismissal process for "ineffective" teachers. His 2% cap on school districts is undemocratic. When the Moreland Commission started to investigate his office and political henchmen, he disbanded the commission. His enterprise zones are a tax giveaway to his friends in development and real estate. But if you are not in the "good ol boy" network, you lose! You pay for what they don't!
This governor has chosen the winners and the losers for the last four years. The students, the parents, the small business owners not in the inner circle, have been the losers.
That is why I am Voting for Zephyr Teachout this Tuesday. She is breath of fresh air with a vision for New York.
Poor Republicans! When they needed an anti-establishment candidate, they got Sarah Palin. Luckily for us New Yorkers, we have Zephyr Teachout.
If you want details, check out her website, follow her on twitter, or join her Facebook page.