Sasha's commentary for October 16, 2013: A Shutstorm End?

Avert the crisis? The Tea Party IS the crisis. It's not big government that's the problem, it's that government isn't right-sized (it could be a smidge smaller) and not efficient. More efficient.

I have to give the writers of City and State some credit, but it seems that there is too much New York bashing. But they are right on a few things: New York's infrastructure is in rough shape, almost to the point of emergency, much of it we, the public can't see. For New York to survive, New York's government needs restructuring, and that might mean cutting costs sensibly. I'd say going open source be part of that package. And although I tend to vote on all of them, the constitutional amendments I'll agree that they don't do a whole lot. Although they really are needed and I do see some economically depressed counties (like my native Franklin, Erie, Sullivan and others) voting upwards of 90+% in favor of legalizing gambling in New York next month, New Yorkers really need true constitutional reform. It's no longer 1892 or 1938. And I hope in 2017 or even earlier a constitutional convention in New York is called. Even our nation needs a new one.

But New York also needs to find a way to pay off some of these infrastructure debts and others to allow for future projects to go ahead. Does that mean more standardization across New York, whether it be purchasing computers, city buses and K-12 textbooks? I don't know, but the state needs huge reform.

Somehow, I see this Joe Lhota advertisement not doing a whole lot. Maybe Bill de Blasio wants to meet these bikers and get their perspective. And although New York City needs an adequate amount of law and order, the city also needs a less tense and healthier psychological environment. Most cities do.

And off topic, Amtrak's blog has tips on how to sleep overnight in coach on Amtrak. That's a good question. Anyways, I'll take the roomette and shower before I board the train. For shits and giggles one day, I might take an overnight Amtrak train trip in coach, just to see how feasible it truly is.

Court dismissed. Bring in the dancing lobsters, and DECENT programming back to TV. Maybe this will help?