Sasha's commentary for March 5, 2014: Old News

The Democrats are finally figuring out that moderate candidates are exactly what the party needs to make inroads in districts where there is a Republican slant. And why not a former Republican? Michael Parrish has all the right qualifications: small business owner, military background. In fact, Charlie Crist, despite now being a Democrat, still is popular among Floridians and his conservative aura will prove valuable. Even if he doesn't win, he'll still do well.

Putin a better president than Obama? Both aren't the greatest, but I'd still rather have Obama over Putin. The Russian president seems not only cold, but brings religion into his politics. America has been diminished because we have a president who is partly weak, a Congress that is run by ultra-nationalists and we're still reeling from the Bush era. I disagree with Governor Romney on this issue.

Bonnie Rochman might be one of the smarter moms-and although I don't have kids (I hope to one day), I would get my daughter's ears pierced at a tattoo parlor, of course not a shady one. Their equipment is sterilized, and they don't use piercing guns, which apparently aren't all they are cracked up to be. And tattoo artists and professional piercers are professionals.

"Committing to Play for a College, Then Starting 9th Grade" was the headline from a New York Times from January that had me asking questions. Haley Berg, a girl not much older than the older of my two half-brothers (both younger than me) who already had chosen a college to play soccer for. Why do I feel that is ridiculous? I'm glad the NCAA does not allow this, but it seems coaches know the loopholes or the rule is poorly enforced. And "elite colleges"? Can we do away with elitism, or at least make the playing field a little more level (and I say that pun free, and as a general, not for sports).

2014 has turned out to be the year that Bill de Blasio has proven to be so far a so-so mayor, while Governor Cuomo, who had a rotten 2013, has made a comeback, even with a strong challenger in Westchester County executive Rob Astorino. While I understand why Mayor de Blasio wants to raise taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers to pay for universal pre-K (and I side with him as with Governor Cuomo's tax cut frenzy, how will the state pay for it?) Each student will cost the state over $10,000. Is there a way to bring down the cost of education in New York without sacrificing pay? It's now March, and there's little progress.

Cuomo (and to a lesser extent, de Blasio) need to find a way to shrink New York's government without ruining things in the process. And at the end of the day, the problem is this: what would it take to bring private sector jobs to New York without sacrificing the state's way of life, or better yet, bringing those jobs while improving the quality of life? I want to know. Someone who comes up with a legislative effects simulator would be ROLLING IN THE DOUGH.

I was not surprised to see the Washington Post report in January that Americans see the Democrats as more bipartisan than the Republicans. What bothered me is how this is not translating into electoral success (predictions) for the Democrats, as the generic Congressional ballot favors Republicans. Hopefully some state-level blunders will help some Democrats, including the West Virginia chemical spill. And the Daily Kos says that Obamacare will actually benefit the Democrats in November. Interesting to say the least. I believe the time for term limits is now.