Sasha's commentary for February 10, 2014

Why we can't have nice things in New York: a committee assembled by Governor Cuomo in regards to the handling before, during and after Superstorm Sandy points fingers at none other than the governor's office itself! One of the reports is loaded with negative feedback. And the conservatives blame Democrats for government incompetence. Apparently, they've been right all along. Somehow, Governor Pataki kept a good running ship.

I am convinced of one big thing: this state I love so much and would do a hell of a lot for, New York, apparently is unable to have nice things because our leaders make poor decisions at times and us New Yorkers do not get involved in our state's government.

And this shows through with other state agencies. Apparently, the state of New York State's DOT is troubling: the draft environmental impact statement I've been reading for the last week should have been completed months ago. The worst part about this? There's skepticism that true high speed rail can come to New York, even higher speed rail. But I'm an eternal optimist. My job is to believe there will be a better and brighter future. But still, I have written to the NYSDOT about my concerns and will voice them at a meeting.

But then again, New York at times can have nice things: two brothers outside of Albany built a ski resort literally in their own backyard.

This is one of those "happy" sad stories: a couple married for 67 years dies a couple days apart: the wife died a few days before her husband did. But here's the boring part: both were in their 90s.

I have utmost sympathy for Alicia Payton, as my parents are in the same boat that she is in: struggling to not just make ends meet, but pay the bills. It seems that it costs money to stay out of poverty. Americans are living closer and closer to the edge. It's not healthy, both physically and emotionally.

United Airlines has a list of cities they are axing service from Cleveland to as part of their hub closure in that city. Big business in this country has something against the Rust Belt.

I'm going to argue this: we need a statewide public advocate. New York City has one, and it's worked very well for them. Bill de Blasio used to be the public advocate, and now he's mayor of the city. And if it weren't for that he's from the city AND is overly liberal, he'd make a good governor.