What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

TO FRACK OR NOT TO FRACK?
HAPPY EARTH DAY TO YOU!

   You should know that hydraulic fracturing, better known as fracking, is a process used to extract natural gas from underground shale formations.  It involves drilling thousands of feet below the earth's surface and pumping chemicals, sand and millions of gallons of water at high pressure into a well. When the shale shatters, the gas rises up into the well. There are currently 30 states in the United States where hydraulic fracturing is used.

You should also know that the Marcellus Shale formation stretches from the western part of New York State to Pennsylvania, and is a tremendous resource for natural gas.  There are many pros and cons about fracking this region of New York State, and I'd like to share some of them, today.

The pros of fracking include New Yorkers no longer having to be held hostage to and relying upon oil from the Middle East. Marcellus Shale is believed to be the largest known deposit of shale gas in the United States America.  Fracking in New York would bring natural gas - cheap energy  - to the market. New Yorkers could finally be energy independent.

Natural gas produced by fracking is a cleaner energy source - much cleaner than coal mining. If gas displaces coal, then fracking will be good for the global environment.

Jobs would be created and provide help for New York's economically depressed areas. Between 2009 and 2011 there were 72,000 shale jobs created in Pennsylvania.

The cons of fracking include serious concerns about the environmental impact in New York. These include how drilling and extraction will affect the air and water quality, truck traffic, and industrial accidents.

We have all heard the voices of high-profile celebrities who oppose fracking while claiming to be environmentalists, saying that we need to do more with less. If we take a closer look at some of these outspoken actors and artists, some who are quite wealthy and never have less, I have to wonder if they are just trying to ban progress.

You should know that while I support efforts in New York State to utilize solar, wind, and tidal resources, and while I share the concerns of those who oppose hydrofracking in New York, I strongly believe that if we make sure that our environmental regulations are prepared for the hydrofracking industry, and if we can control the air and water impact of fracking, it will be fine.

If it is safe, let's do it!

This is Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know. 

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What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

Why Are We So Afraid of Governor Cuomo?

  You should know that today the New York State Senate will begin a public push to limit how Senate campaign funds can be spent. These campaign funds are donations from individuals and organizations given with the understanding that the candidate will use them as they see fit - like renting a car and paying for meals.

You should also know that while this effort to turn up the heat on Senators has begun, there is still no effort underway to restrict what Governor Cuomo does with resources he raises, and no demand for a complete disclosure of the names of the donors from the Committee to Save New York - his ally - a private lobbying committee not subject to state campaign finance law.  The names of many of their donors remain in the shadows.

The Committee to Save New York has been lockstep with Governor Cuomo's agenda and has spent more money on lobbying activities in 2012 than any other group.

You should know that the billionaires and business leaders who support Governor Cuomo's Committee to Save New York have won billions in government bailouts. Now they insists upon  “fiscal responsibility” for the rest of New York.

I would like to recommend to my colleagues that instead of going after each other and restricting how much money we spend from our donors to rent cars and pay for dinners for our campaigns, that we focus our attention on reviewing policy payoffs that impact our ability to legislate on behalf of our constituents - instead of on behalf of the groups who lobby and profit from their participation of the Committee to Save New York.

I would like to recommend that ethics reform in New York State begin in the Governor's mansion.

While we consider how to restrict Senate campaign donations that are used to pay for meals, I would like my readers to know that many of my colleagues are routinely invited to the Governor's mansion to eat his food and drink his wine with no oversight to who pays those bills.

While we consider how to restrict Senate campaign donations that are used to rent cars, I would like my readers to know that this past Thursday JCOPE quietly posted on their website on state ethics ruling that Governor Cuomo can bring Sandra Lee, his girlfriend and Food Network star who lives with him in Westchester County, along with his daughters on the state aircraft with him when he's on official business.

While we consider how to restrict Senate campaign donations that are used for our cell phones, You should know that the millions of dollars raised by the Committee to Save New York to expand casino gambling needs should be investigated.

You should know that corruption in New York State needs to be thoroughly investigated, and is far more important that the way we spend money donated to us from our supporters - who donate with the full knowledge that we decide how to spend it.

We should be more concerned with stopping big money influence of corporations,  groups and people that are getting access to meetings with Governors and others by contributing big donations and by the conflict of interest of legislators serving as of-counsels and those that are board members of institutions whose leaders contribute big money. Amen.

This is Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

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What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

To My Enemies: Take a Number and Get on Line

 

   You should know that when Rudy Giuliani was the U.S Attorney for the Southern District, he was practically an unknown until he decided to go after elected officials, mostly in Bronx County. Former U.S Attorney Giuliani indicted Bronx Congressman Robert Garcia, Bronx Borough President Stanley Simon, Bronx County leader Stanley Friedman, and many others.

Now, U.S. District Attorney Preet Bharara is following in Giuliani’s footsteps and has decided to go after elected officials – but contrary to Mr. Giuliani, Mr. Bharara has expanded his investigation beyond Bronx County.

You should also know that there is a lot of concern almost everywhere you go about who is going to be the next elected official to be indicted.

In that regard, there are some of my enemies who are going to different radio stations and television programs claiming to know everything, and in their way, bragging and saying that the next one will be me, Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz.

The first one of these people and the most vocal of them is Mr. “Know-It-All” Gerson Borrero.  The hatred and bad will he has for me is well known.  He refers to me as Satan, as Lucifer, as a viper, and he certainly does not need any opportunity to try to paint me as a crook.

You should know that this hostile individual, Mr. Borrero, has been unable to hold a steady job for many years due to his outbursts and lack of self-control.  His lack of professionalism was on display for the public on NY1 a few years ago, when he walked right off the set during an interview with Andrew Kirtzman.  He’s been fired and dismissed from many jobs, and he can’t control himself when someone questions him.  Whoever questions him, he goes after, and I have to believe that this is the case with me.

Another person who claims to be an expert on who will be indicted next is former State Senator Israel Ruiz, who was a guest today on Fred Dicker’s “Live from the State Capitol” daily radio program. Disgraced politician Israel Ruiz publicly announced that I will probably be the next one who will be indicted.

I don’t know why Fred Dicker or anyone else would believe someone who was indicted and sentenced and has the history that Israel Ruiz does.  We all know that Israel Ruiz went to jail and had to resign from his seat in the State Senate many years ago for being crooked.  There is an old saying in Puerto Rico that goes like this: “A crooked person thinks that everyone is crooked.”

There are others who proudly proclaim to be among my enemies, and who refuse to give me credit for being an outspoken fighter who is dedicated to the service of my constituents.  My job, my integrity, my transparency, and my clean record have already been proven by so many investigations.

Those who want to take me down and continue to ask the FBI and the Attorney General and anybody else to investigate me, have been unsuccessful. So ladies and gentlemen you should know that, yes, I have been investigated all my life.  People keep accusing me of this and that, and people keep praying for me to go down.

And so to all of those who are losing sleep because they are so anxious waiting for time for me to go down, I must say: Take a number and stand in line because I am in the business of giving not in the business of taking.

I am Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

What You Should Know

How Bills Become Law

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

How Bills Become Law

You should know that there are many theories about how human beings learn and how human behavior develops.  Philosophers and psychiatrists continue to study and compare nature vs. nurture.  Some, like John Locke, believe in the Tabula Rasa theory, believing that the mind is a blank slate and children learn by experience. He and Freud emphasized how early experiences in life shape children.  Others, like G. Stanley Hall, believe that human behavior is strongly influenced by genetics.

Regardless of how corrupt politics may appear, if we go back to those theories, we can assume that many politicians learn by observing and by following their leaders, just as children learn by following the examples and characteristics of their mothers and fathers.

The title of this article has been pulled from the front page of today’s New York Post where it shows many dollar bills and the title “How bills become law” - meaning that the only way bills become law is when people use money and influence to buy the will of elected officials.

The Post article quotes US Attorney Preet Bharara from Thursday’s news conference asking: “How many other pending bills were born of bribery? How many passed bills were born of bribery?”

With all due respect to the US Attorney Preet Bharara, shouldn’t we also ask: “How many pieces of legislation have already passed with the help of Bloomberg and Cuomo?  Was New York’s gay marriage bill “born of bribery” by the Governor of New York State and the Mayor of the City of New York?”

While I am happy that the Post and others are covering this story, it concerns me that Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor Andrew Cuomo practically used the same tools, techniques and theories to push the gay marriage bill through the State Senate.  We all know that Mayor Bloomberg gave tons of money to buy the votes of four Republican Senators.  We all know that Governor Andrew Cuomo called those four Republicans to his office, promised them money and support, and told them that he would campaign with them at election time if they voted for the gay marriage bill.  How is it that the New York Post or the Daily News or other papers had nothing to say about that bill which was clearly "born of bribery?"

Does anyone else find it appalling to read that Governor Andrew Cuomo is “appalled” by the corruption allegations in the Senator Malcolm Smith case?  (Does that Claude Rains scene from Casablanca come to mind again?)

When minor politicians follow the very same techniques and examples used by Bloomberg and Cuomo, authorities arrest these people.  They put them through hell.  On the other hand, we know how they praised and supported the very same methods used when Bloomberg and Cuomo pushed the gay marriage bill through.

We all know that Michael Bloomberg was a Democrat who wanted to run on the Republican line, many years ago.  In the beginning of his political career, he gave not thousands, but millions of dollars to the Republican Party and their Chairmen in the five local counties in order for them to allow him to run on the Republican line.  He made huge donations to party coffers trying to purchase ballot lines.  We all know that Michael Bloomberg gave large sums of money to the Independence Party headed by Lenora Fulani in order for her to let him be on that ballot.  They all sold their lines to Bloomberg for money, and Bloomberg bought their lines with money.

So what is the difference between Michael Bloomberg buying the Republican and Independent Party lines and Senator Malcolm Smith (allegedly) trying to buy the Republican line?

The crime seems to be the same, but the only difference is that Bloomberg wrote checks and Smith (allegedly) used an envelope.

The only difference, I repeat ladies and gentlemen, is if Senator Malcolm Smith would have written a check, I’m pretty sure that everything would have been okay - or okay as far as New York standards go, business as usual.

To the New York Post and to the Daily News and to all of those newspapers and tabloids that act so surprised to see how politicians can be bought, and how others have sold their souls for money: Where have you been?  Take the bandages from your eyes and see that Michael Bloomberg’s money can buy everything money can buy, including politicians and pending pieces of legislation ... and I’m pretty sure he can buy newspapers and reporters, too.

I am Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

Will Catholics Like Governor Andrew Cuomo Follow Pope Francis' Example?

 
You should know that I am an Evangelical Christian, and my faith is based on the Bible and on the Judeo-Christian belief which teach us that the Jews are the Chosen Ones, and that whoever curses them will be cursed and whoever blesses them will be blessed.  I share serious concerns raised by many Catholics about how there are many people who claim to be devoted Catholic Christians, but their actions do everything possible to separate themselves from the faith that they claim to profess.

You should also know that with the selection of Pope Francis as the new leader of the Catholic Church, Catholicism has been given a sense of renewed hope.  This has been demonstrated by the examples Pope Francis is giving the world by being so humble and down to earth, to the point of going to a prison to wash and kiss the feet of inmates.  This is something so admirable and full of sensitivity, and of Christian teaching, that I am willing to say that the Catholics will soon see the numbers of those participating grow back to what it once was.

There will be many professed Catholics who will rededicate themselves back to the active practice of their religion by following the example of Pope Francis.  Even the washing of the feet that is traditionally done only on Holy Thursday may take a greater role.  But you should also know that there are other Catholics like Governor Andrew Cuomo and some elected officials who have been doing and pushing for things that are in total contrast to what Pope Francis and the Catholic Church teaches.

Among the teachings of the Catholic Church that every good Catholic should follow (if in reality that they are practicing Catholic) is the respect for life.  Life, according to Pope Francis and the Catholic Church is sacred, and should be respected from the moment of conception: because it is God who has allowed this to happen. As you may know, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Catholic, has been doing everything to fight the Catholic teaching in that regard.

Marriage between same-sex people is another topic that Pope Francis and the Catholic Church strongly reject.  The Catholic Church’s teaching and beliefs are found in the Bible, where it says that it was God who created the idea of one man and one woman, and blessed them as a couple. You should also know that it was New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Catholic, who fought tooth and nail to oppose these teachings of the Catholic Church through his bill to legalize same-sex marriage.

Governor Andrew Cuomo used his staff, raised money, called members of the Senate to his office to twist their rubber arms, and coordinate meetings all over the State of New York to confront and oppose the Catholic faith and those that believe that marriage should be between opposite sexes.

There are many other teachings by Pope Francis and the Catholic Church that our beloved Governor and too many Catholic elected officials tend to forget – and then go to church to receive Holy Communion and profess to be practicing Catholics.  I am aware of the Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation, and how it is possible for people to receive Communion after confessing their sins, but I share concerns raised by Catholics who stress that:  When pro-abortion politicians receive Communion at public Masses a message is sent out that they are in good standing with the Church.  

As I said in the beginning, I am not Catholic. I am an Evangelical Christian who believes in what the Bible says, and because I am not a member of the Catholic hierarchy, I cannot place any Catholic politician in discipline.  As Pope Francis leads the Catholic Church by example, I hope and pray that Catholics – including Governor Andrew Cuomo – will follow his example.

This is Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know. 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York 

With A Committee Like That…

You should know that the Committee to Sell – I mean to Save New York - has invested more than $17 million in selling out - I’m sorry – in saving New York. The Committee has been selling Governor Cuomo’s popularity to the people of New York State to the point where he consistently receives 70% approval ratings.

The Committee to sell – again, I apologize, I mean to Save New York- has been very effective in selling out the workers of New York State.  Just take the Tier 6 Pension Plan that was recently adopted. This new pension plan raises the retirement age and requires new state workers to work longer before they can receive a pension.

Another effort of the Committee to Sell – I mean, to Save New York- is the New York Works Infrastructure Initiative, where Governor Cuomo played the private sector unions against the public sector unions and also where he provided millions in corporate tax breaks.

Another project, where the Committee spent millions to push through was the Budget Deficit Solution, where the Governor cut social services, senior citizens program, school aid, and services to the poor without extending the Millionaires Tax.

You should also know that the Regional Economic Development Councils are basically for multi-million dollar companies, while the Governor cut funding to organizations like little leagues in poor neighborhoods.

I remember all the fanfare that Andrew Cuomo created when he was Attorney General. I remember Project Sunshine where he promoted transparency in government and that everyone should release the names of contributors to their campaigns. What happened Mr. Governor? Why are you not pushing for the names of the contributors to the Committee to Sell –I mean Save New York- to be made public? Why can’t we know who they are?

I have to give it to the Governor.  The creation of the Committee to Save New York has been one of the greatest, biggest, most successful, amazing, Machiavellian, and indirect promotion for a political candidate in the history of New York State.

I am Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know. 

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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York 

It Does Not Make Sense


 

  Mayor Michael Bloomberg  wants  to dictate to us how much soda we should drink.  With this action Mayor Bloomberg confirmed what I wrote a few weeks ago on one of my “What You Should Know” columns, that some elected officials want to create in New York a Nanny State.

 

  For your information, in case you did not read it before I am including inserts of what I wrote before.

You should know that some Members of the New York State Legislature are pushing hard to prevent McDonald’s and certain restaurants from giving out toys to children when they receive their meals unless those meals meet certain standards.

 

  Senate Bill 6386, sponsored by Senator Gustavo Rivera, and Assembly Bill 7662, sponsored by Assembly Member Felix Ortiz, both Hispanic and Puerto Rican, are calling for a law to dictate which restaurants may or may not distribute toys or as they call them, “incentives,” to children, especially poor children in our communities, when their parents take them to McDonald’s or any other restaurant to purchase a meal.  Now Mayor Michael Bloomberg has join them in banning the sale and purchase of  any  bottle of sodas of more than 16 ounces.

 

  It does not make sense and it is disturbing to see these same elected officials fight tooth and nail to give a woman the right to kill an unborn baby, because according to them, it is a woman’s choice to do what they want with their bodies.   Michael Bloomberg, Gustavo, Felix and others have no problem in being pro-choice and giving a woman a right to murder an unborn baby, but they have problems and are willing to take away the right of the mother and father or child to eat whatever they want. 

 

  Don’t get me wrong, I believe that obesity is a problem and that people should be more careful with what they eat, but if people want to be fat and eat hamburgers or anything they want, it is their right to allow them to eat whatever they want. I think that it is a lot better to be fat than to terminate the life of an unborn, innocent baby. Does anyone believe that people are elected into office to regulate what food and drinks moms and dads can serve their children? 

 

  Do these same elected officials who fight for any woman to have a supposed right to choose to kill her unborn baby realize that they are way out of line to try to assume authority over moms by telling them what to give her child to eat or drink?

 

  When pro-lifers like me state the obvious that abortion affects two lives and that the fetus is a life, and that to crack their skulls with forceps or to use saline water to be evaporated, the pro-choice, pro-abortion politicians argue back with that old cliché “my body, my choice”. I’m pretty sure that Mayor Bloomberg, Assembly Member Ortiz and Senator Rivera would stand by their side.  How can those same  officials think they have the right to tell moms how they should feed their children or what to drink?

 

  Parents struggle to do what’s best for their children, and at least so far, in this country parents are not dictated to by local elected officials about how to feed their children.  If they want to cook at home, they can. If they want to go out and eat and drink 32 ounces of soda, they can.

You should know that there are more important issues before us in the State and City of New York, and we sure don’t need Mayor Bloomberg, Senator Rivera, Assembly Member Ortiz and others  to divert our attention by creating a Nanny State.

 

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.
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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York 

 

  You should know that some Members of the New York State Legislature are pushing hard to prevent McDonald’s and certain restaurants from giving out toys to children when they receive their meals unless those meals meet certain standards.

  Senate Bill 6386, sponsored by Senator Gustavo Rivera, and Assembly Bill 7662, sponsored by Assembly Member Felix Ortiz, both Hispanic and Puerto Rican, are calling for a law to dictate which restaurants may or may not distribute toys or as they call them, “incentives,” to children, especially poor children in our communities, when their parents take them to McDonald’s or any other restaurant to purchase a meal.

  It does not make sense! It is disturbing to see these same elected officials fight tooth and nail to give a woman the right to kill an unborn baby, because according to them, it is a woman’s choice to do what they want with their bodies. Gustavo and Felix have no problem in being part of the “American Holocaust” and by being pro-choice by giving a woman a right to murder an unborn baby, but they have problems and are willing to take away the right of the mother and father or child to eat whatever they want.

  Don’t get me wrong, I believe that obesity is a problem and that people should be more careful with what they eat, but if people want to be fat and eat hamburgers or anything they want, it is their right to allow them to eat whatever they want. I think that it is a lot better to be fat than to terminate the life of an unborn, innocent baby. Does anyone believe that people are elected into office to regulate what food and drinks moms and dads can serve their children?

  Do these same elected officials who fight for any woman to have a supposed right to choose to kill her unborn baby realize that they are way out of line to try to assume authority over moms by taking away their right to choose what to give their children to eat or drink?

  When pro-lifers like me state the obvious that abortion affects two lives and that the fetus is a life, and that to crush their skulls with forceps or to use saline water to be disintegrated, the proc-choice, pro-abortion politicians argue back with that old cliché “my body, my choice”. I’m pretty sure that Assembly Member Ortiz and Senator Rivera would stand by their side.  

  How can these same two officials think they have the right to tell moms how they should feed their children or what to what restaurant they should take them?

  Parents struggle to do what’s best for their children, and at least so far, in this country parents are not dictated to by local elected officials about how to feed their children.  If they want to cook at home, they can. If they want to go out and eat, they can.

  You should know that there are important issues before us in the Legislature, and we sure don’t need Senator Rivera and Assembly Member Ortiz to divert our attention by creating a Nanny State in New York and much less deny McDonald’s or any other restaurant to give a free toy as an incentive. It is their right! It is their choice! And it is their money!

  I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.
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What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York 

ROBERTO RAMIREZ AND LUIS MIRANDA COULD
“STAY WITH THE CARBINES TO THE SHOULDER”

  You should know that the term "they stayed with the carbines to the shoulder” is one of those sayings we Hispanics are accustomed to hearing in our countries.

   There are very few instances when we speak without making use of old sayings, for example, when we refer to an ungrateful person who forgets the favors that someone has done for them, we will say, "A dog never bites the hand of the master who feeds him," or "He’s worse than Judas" referring to the one who betrayed Jesus.  When we are in trouble and beg for help, we say, "People remember Saint Barbara only when there’s thunder."

You should know that even in the Word of God, in the Bible, you can find
several sayings, for example: "A living dog is better than a dead lion," “A threefold cord is not quickly broken," “An eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth," etc. etc.  Our own Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ made use of expressions when he said: “All who take the sword will perish by the sword."

Let's return to the saying in the title of this column, Roberto Ramirez and Luis Miranda could “stay with the carbines to the shoulder.” This saying is used when a person expects, works, wishes or yearns for something, and gets the opposite.

You should know that Luis Miranda is a Political Consultant who has worked for many Governors, and through his connections, he has managed to position his sons, daughters and relatives in positions in government.

Roberto Ramirez was an Assemblyman in the Bronx County and the President of the Bronx Democratic Party  Both Roberto Ramirez and Luis Miranda formed the MirRam Group Political Consulting Firm. Through this firm they have personified themselves to the world as the ones who have the influence to bring the Hispanic vote to any candidate who hires them and pays for their service.

The business of selling the Hispanic vote has been very successful for Roberto and Luis through the MirRam Group, LLC.  We all know that most Hispanics vote Democrat, and getting them to vote Democrat is not magic - but the problem that Roberto Ramirez and Luis Miranda are now facing is the candidacy of Adriano Espaillat to the United States Congress.

Apparently and allegedly, when Luis Miranda and Roberto Ramirez realized the
enthusiasm and the desire that there was (note that I said was) in the Dominican community for choosing a Dominican to run for Congress, they took this opportunity to convince Espaillat to hire them to be responsible to get all of the Hispanic elected officials to support Espaillat.

You should know that apparently things have not gone as well as the MirRam Group expected, and what they are proving to the world, apparently, is that they don’t have enough influence to convince the Hispanic legislators to support Espaillat.

Every day that passes, more and more Hispanic lawmakers join the campaign of Congressman Charlie Rangel against Espaillat.  Apparently, Roberto Ramirez and Luis Miranda advised Espaillat to promise Mark Levine, a non-Hispanic, the Senate  seat  which  he currently occupies, without thinking that this seat was fought for by Hispanic leaders for a Dominican, and for this reason the Dominican community can’t afford to lose a seat to someone else’s whims.

This has angered many elected officials who believe that by giving away a Senate seat which was created for the Dominican community, they are selling out and committing treason against the Dominican Community. Even Assemblyman Guillermo Linares who is of Dominican descent is furious with Ramirez, Miranda and Espaillat for promising to give away this Senatorial seat to Mark Levine in exchange for his support to Espaillat.  As of today, Guillermo has refused to give his support to Espaillat and rumor has it that he might lend his support to Congressman Charlie Rangel.

If these rumors are true and Guillermo makes the leap, Roberto Ramirez and Luis Miranda could “stay with the carbines to the shoulder” and lose many clients, because if they can’t "deliver" Hispanic Legislators to another Hispanic, how can they deliver to other candidates of other races?

People will start to notice that they have practically lost every candidate they have supported in the past, starting with Adriano Espaillat for Manhattan Boro-President, David Yasskay for Comptroller, Maria Baez for City Council, to Fernando Ferrer and Billy Thompson for Mayor.
According to some experts, Espaillat’s race should be an easy one to win.  If they lose Espaillat for Congress against a person who is not only  ailing, frail, tired and recently convicted of eleven congressional ethics violations,  but who also has another African-American running that will probably divide the African-American vote.  If they lose this one it will be disastrous for their credibility.

I am Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

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Time to Retire for Some Members of Congress

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York 

Time to Retire for Some Members of Congress

You should know that there are some people who believe that the time has come to inject new blood, energy and ideas into the United States Congress.

In the City of New York, there are some Members of Congress who, according to some people, have been serving for too long.  Here is a list of the entire New York Congressional Delegation:

Gary Ackerman, elected to Congress in 1983, has served 29 years.
Yvette Clarke, elected to Congress in 2006, has served 6 years.
Joseph Crowley, elected to Congress in 1998, has served 14 years.
Eliot Engel, elected to Congress in 1988, has served 24 years.
Michael Grimm, elected to Congress in 2009, has served 2 years.
Carolyn Maloney, elected to Congress in 1992, has served 20 years.
Gregory Meeks, elected to Congress in 1998, has served 14 years.
Jerrold Nadler, elected to Congress in 1992, has served 20 years.
Charles Rangel, elected to Congress 1970, has served 42 years.
José Serrano, elected to Congress in 1990, has served 22 years.
Edolphus Towns, elected to Congress in 1982, has served 20 years.
Robert Turner, elected to Congress in 2011, has served 1 year.
Nydia Velázquez, elected to Congress in 1992, has served 20 years.
 
Imagine the millions and millions of Congressional dollars that have been poured into the New York City districts for all those years.  

We should all be living like kings and queens.  But in all of those years, we in the City of New York, continue to see a decrease in affordable housing with more people living in homeless shelters; services for the growing number of senior citizens continue to be cut; the number of children who cannot read at grade level and cannot graduate from high school in 4 years continues to grow; more and more New Yorkers rely upon food pantries to feed their families; people with illness and disabilities continue to suffer as medical services continue to be cut; gun violence remains on the rise; etc. etc.

This situation is at a point where some Members of New York’s Congressional Delegation have finally decided to retire and let new blood take over.  Apparently, not all of them will voluntarily open the door to leave and allow for new blood to come in, and as such, new blood is forcing them to retire.

Here comes Hakeem Jeffries: an energized, eloquent, well-spoken young African American from Brooklyn who has effectively sent a message to incumbent Ed Towns that if he doesn’t retire, he will make him retire in an election.  Apparently Congressman Towns saw the writing on the wall and has announced his retirement.

Congressman Gary Ackerman, also read the writing on the wall (and maybe read his horoscope) and has decided that it’s time for him to hang it up.

State Senator Adriano Espaillat has been sending a message to Congressman Charles Rangel that after 42 years in Congress (and at 80 years of age) he should retire and enjoy the rest of his life.  

In response, Charlie Rangel must have thought Adriano Espaillat was bluffing and said, “Come on.  Take me on.”

Now, Adriano Espaillat, energized with his comunnity’s support and the backing of Oscar de la Renta, has a new look. Espaillat is now dressing like a movie star - has changed his wardrobe, hairdo, shoes and cologne - and is on his way to forcing Charlie Rangel into retirement.

There is another young man from Brooklyn who is trying to force Nydia Velázquez into retirement: Erik Martin Dilan, the son of New York State Senator Martin Malavé Dilan.

Erik  has the support of many who believe that Nydia Velázquez should just go back to Puerto Rico and join the Popular Party and all of her cronies in continuing their push to keep Puerto Rico a colony of the United States and leave the Brooklyn Congressional seat to new blood.

Here in the Bronx, we are stuck with Congressmen José Serrano and Eliot Engel.  My advice to Congressman Serrano, Open your eyes and look around you at all of the young people who surrounding you in Bronx County who hunger and thirst for new Congressional blood.

He should really start planning his retirement before he is forced into it.

At the same time, José Rivera, Carmen Arroyo and I might also start looking around and planning our good-byes … but not before José Serrano does because his time is long overdue.

I am Senator Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know. 

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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York 

Congressman Charles Rangel and Senator Adriano Espaillat will attend Hispanic Ministers Banquet

You should know that  this weekend many Evangelical Churches and their congregations, together with The New York Hispanic Clergy Organization will join together to celebrate their 24^th Annual Banquet.
 
You should also know that among the many  dignitaries and elected officials who have confirmed their attendance are New York State Comptroller Thomas Dinapoli, Congressman Charles Rangel, Senator Adriano Espaillat,  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., New York City Comptroller John Liu and New York City Public Advocate Bill De Blasio.
 
The New York Hispanic Clergy Organization was created in 1988, with the purpose of defending and protecting  those Biblical, traditional, family and moral values taught by the word of God, since then, each year the organization celebrates an annual banquet where more than 800 people including ministers, elected officials, and dignitaries gather to recognize those men and women who have done outstanding work on behalf of their communities and those in need. 


This year’s annual banquet, which will take place Saturday April 14th,  and will be dedicated to six members of our community, who have excelled in their religious endeavors on behalf of their community and  service to those that are most in need.
 
The Rev. Abelardo Batista - Bishop General of the Assembly of Christian Churches, Rev. Rene Cruz -   Apostle of the Christian Church El Redentor, Rev. Pedro Olivieri – Pastor of the Church La Puerta Estrecha in upper Manhattan, Rev. Myrna Padro – Director of the Bible Institute Rehoboth, Dr. Pedro Sanchez -  from the Dominican Republic and Mr.  Juan Bautista Jimenez Reinoso - Lieutenant Colonel of the Dominican National Police.
 
These six individuals have been recommended and selected by the Executive Board of Directors of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization, as the most prominent figures in the evangelical community during  the year 2011.

You should know that we all rejoice in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for allowing us to celebrate together another year of many victories, achievements, blessings and the opportunity to do his will.
 
 
I am  Senator Rev.  Rubén Díaz and this is what you  should know.

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