How is Andrew Cuomo's Taxpayer-Funded Trip to Afghanistan Part of His Job as Governor of New York?
As Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo has good reason to understand
how to defend the good citizens of the sovereign state of New York from
terrorists. New York, specifically and especially the City of New York,
are reputed to be prime targets for Islamic terrorists, and I think
common sense supports that claim. But now we find Mr. Cuomo flying to Afghanistan on the Defense Department's nickel.
Also, remember that you and I are paying for this. Remember that when the Defense Department funds this trip - and it did - the only money the Defense Department has is that which "We the People" provide to them, either in the form of having our earnings taxed by the federal government, or in the form of government borrowing (when they don't have enough money to fund their commitments), which will add to the tax burden of our children and grandchildren. (I certainly hope you understand this by now.)
So what's really up with this trip to Afghanistan, following on the heels of his trip to Israel in August? I think a reasonably educated guess would be that such international trips build his resume for national office. Cuomo did once hold a national position, but it was an appointed, not an elected one. One ought not be surprised if he is contemplating a run for national office after (or during) his next term as Governor. (He will assuredly win the coming gubernatorial election and begin a second term in that office.)
Therefore, we regular folks will be funding this guy's future run for high office. Does that seem reasonable, especially in light of the strained, even difficult, financial circumstances in which many of us find ourselves in this disordered economy? You should think about this, rather than just yawn and move on to the next story of the day. This money, siphoned as it is from your pockets and as it will be from the pockets of your children and grandchildren, might be put to better use than helping Cuomo win an election.
Of course, the view that Cuomo's barking up the White House tree with these international junkets isn't unique to this blog. It's frankly on the minds of many others. How do we know this? The great guv himself already told us that, no, these trips are not related to any aspiration for national office. They are simply part of his job as Governor of New York. And you know the funny thing about this declaration? As much as a rational person might respond with, "Yeah, right," I think Cuomo knows that enough of the non-thinkers out there will hear his denial of national ambition and simply nod their heads and assent to it. And I think his handlers may have told him that even if some of us are on to his schemes, too few of us will either raise a cry or do anything else substantive about it. We'll most likely slide into cynical mode, shake our heads, and go about the business of the day, whatever that may be.
In other words, he'll get away with these trips with minimal flak; so expect more to come.
Mr. Cuomo's venture comes as the governor has stressed repeatedly over the last two weeks his concerns over the security threat to New York as the result of global turmoil, especially in the Middle East.Prior to this visit, he was briefed, apparently about terrorism, in Washington. This one might understand - but flying to Afghanistan? Here's what the Governor had to say about that:
"I really want to understand this from all levels," he said. "Where do we get the intel from?"Fair enough. I do too. Maybe you do as well. But wouldn't the appropriate expert or experts be able to communicate this in a more efficient and less costly manner than a hike halfway around the world? Here's Mr. Cuomo's explanation of why the trip was necessary:
"I know my job as governor. I know it. I know the Legislature, I know the budget, I know emergency management. I watched my father do components of it. I did it in the federal government," he said.We might reasonably ask how exactly his presence in Afghanistan provided any special or unique education? How could it increase his understanding of where "we get the intel from"? Anybody have any suggestions?
"But this is a new component for all of us. So I want to be the best-educated that I can be."
Also, remember that you and I are paying for this. Remember that when the Defense Department funds this trip - and it did - the only money the Defense Department has is that which "We the People" provide to them, either in the form of having our earnings taxed by the federal government, or in the form of government borrowing (when they don't have enough money to fund their commitments), which will add to the tax burden of our children and grandchildren. (I certainly hope you understand this by now.)
So what's really up with this trip to Afghanistan, following on the heels of his trip to Israel in August? I think a reasonably educated guess would be that such international trips build his resume for national office. Cuomo did once hold a national position, but it was an appointed, not an elected one. One ought not be surprised if he is contemplating a run for national office after (or during) his next term as Governor. (He will assuredly win the coming gubernatorial election and begin a second term in that office.)
Therefore, we regular folks will be funding this guy's future run for high office. Does that seem reasonable, especially in light of the strained, even difficult, financial circumstances in which many of us find ourselves in this disordered economy? You should think about this, rather than just yawn and move on to the next story of the day. This money, siphoned as it is from your pockets and as it will be from the pockets of your children and grandchildren, might be put to better use than helping Cuomo win an election.
Of course, the view that Cuomo's barking up the White House tree with these international junkets isn't unique to this blog. It's frankly on the minds of many others. How do we know this? The great guv himself already told us that, no, these trips are not related to any aspiration for national office. They are simply part of his job as Governor of New York. And you know the funny thing about this declaration? As much as a rational person might respond with, "Yeah, right," I think Cuomo knows that enough of the non-thinkers out there will hear his denial of national ambition and simply nod their heads and assent to it. And I think his handlers may have told him that even if some of us are on to his schemes, too few of us will either raise a cry or do anything else substantive about it. We'll most likely slide into cynical mode, shake our heads, and go about the business of the day, whatever that may be.
In other words, he'll get away with these trips with minimal flak; so expect more to come.
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