taxpayers- The Buffalo Bean

Buy Your Own Art...

Posted by Anthony Bialy in Buffalo, Commentary, Economy, Entertainment, Federal Government, NY State Government on 04 19th, 2010 | No Comments

This year’s Hallwalls’ Artists & Models Affair might be fun or freaky. It could be both, too, but it should be up to individuals to find out for themselves. Admission to the undoubtedly provocative May 1 event is 15 bucks presale or a Jackson at the door. Either way, taxpayers are also...

Another Clunker...

Posted by Anthony Bialy in Buffalo, Campaign 2010, Commentary, Economy, Energy, Erie County, Federal Government, Media, NY State Government on 02 15th, 2010 | Comments Off

New York State is attempting to simultaneously help the economy and environment. Yeah: they’ll do nothing for either. Enticed consumers spent the weekend racing about trying to grab government entitlements for those outfitting their kitchens and basements. They’re taking part in a transparently...

Posted by Anthony Bialy in Commentary, Featured Articles, NY State Government on 02 8th, 2010 | Comments Off

While I’m sorry to be a downer, I don’t think you’ll win Powerball. Someone will pick the correct numerical combination, although it’s astoundingly unlikely to be you personally. But playing is like attempting to entice a model from the opposite gender or cheering for a non-Yankees franchise:...

Failing to Earn Credit...

Posted by Anthony Bialy in Buffalo, Campaign 2010, Commentary, Economy, Erie County, Federal Government, House of Representatives, Media, U.S. Senate, White House on 02 3rd, 2010 | Comments Off

The one thing that’s better than making money is being handed some. That’s why anyone who doubts the Earned Income Tax Credit is the most wondrous gift our benevolent government has ever bestowed upon us should read The Buffalo News. In particular, their January 31 take on the subject, helpfully...

Posted by Matt in Buffalo, Economy, State Assembly, State Legislature, State Senate on 01 5th, 2010 | Comments Off

New Yorkers are miserable. But at least now we know why. Specifically, a state government that eats much of your paycheck is concurrently making you sad. The phenomenon of Empire State-based dejection has been analyzed before. Now, Allysia Finley of the Wall Street Journal has highlighted a Science...

Posted by Anthony Bialy in Buffalo, Campaign 2008, Campaign 2010, Commentary, Economy, Erie County, Federal Government, House of Representatives, News, U.S. Senate, White House on 12 28th, 2009 | Comments Off

It’s nice to agree with your congressperson every so often. Concurring with one’s representative makes one feel, well, represented. That’s true even if accord happens for some as rarely as seemingly every area of the country except Buffalo gets walloped with Christmas-week snow. Anything...

Posted by Matt in Erie County on 12 15th, 2009 | Comments Off

The following letter to the editor by Erie County Legislator Ed Rath will appear in the Amherst Bee tomorrow: Dear Editor: Erie County has adopted its 2010 budget. I am happy to report that the budget keeps tax rates steady for next year. During these difficult economic times, it does not make sense...

Dinner Should be on the Hall...

Posted by Anthony Bialy in Buffalo, Commentary, Economy, Media, News on 12 15th, 2009 | 2 Comments

The City of Buffalo would like you to dine out. Please. But kindly only do so at sanctioned eateries that the local government has blessed with cash. The Buffalo News recently highlighted the specific flaws of a loan program that removes “free” from markets: City Hall lending to business...

Posted by Anthony Bialy in Buffalo, Buffalo Bills, Commentary, Economy, Entertainment, Erie County, NY State Government, News, Sports on 12 7th, 2009 | Comments Off

Well, that was a fantastic atmosphere for the second Buffalo Bills home game not played at home. The matchup in the erstwhile SkyDome was as lively as a surgery being performed in a morgue. Perhaps curious Canadians remain puzzled about the mysterious fourth down or why there wasn’t a team named...

Having Fun Making Fun of Artvoice...

Posted by Anthony Bialy in Buffalo, Commentary, Economy, Erie County, NY State Government on 11 16th, 2009 | 1 Comment

The Artvoice Dilemma comes down to whether it’s worth pointing out any random article’s problems. It’s usually best to avoid the chore of reading an issue, much less critiquing its contents. But sometimes they churn out something so egregious that it deserves a shredding. For...

Chris Lee Fights Against Obamacare...

Posted by Matt in House of Representatives, NY-26 on 11 10th, 2009 | 1 Comment

In less than a year, every member of the U.S House is up for reelection. That means, every member who voted for government-run health care has a chance to be voted out. Right now, however, I cannot stress the importance of supporting members of Congress who stood up for the taxpayers, and against the...

New York’s Medicaid Help Isn’t Helpi...

Posted by Anthony Bialy in Economy, NY State Government, News on 10 6th, 2009 | 1 Comment

There’s a gigantic difference between charity and cushiness. It’s admirable to reach out and help those in dire straits who have money for nothing. At the same time, it’s easy for recipients to get addicted to public support. That’s especially so if they can get better health coverage from the...

Posted by Anthony Bialy in Buffalo, Commentary, Economy, Erie County, Media, NY State Government, News on 09 30th, 2009 | 3 Comments

It used to be that companies were “incubators for skills.” But why bother getting on-the-job training when the government will cover the cost of getting you up to speed? For one, The Buffalo News adores the idea of making everyone pay to school a few workers, as evidenced by the Mark...

Posted by Anthony Bialy in Economy on 08 26th, 2009 | 5 Comments

At least he’s efficient: Leonard Stokes made sure that the money the City of Buffalo threw at him was misused as thoroughly as possible. The cash he got to prop up his failed One Sunset restaurant may as well have been shot into the sun itself. Most of the taxpayers who unwillingly financed the transaction...

Posted by Anthony Bialy in Federal Government, NY State Government, Uncategorized on 08 21st, 2009 | Comments Off

We pay dearly when lawmakers spend at will: American workers toil deep into summer to cover our officials’ thorough profligacy. August 12 was Cost of Government Day, which is the day of the calendar year when the average American worker has earned enough gross income to pay off his or her share of...

Posted by Matt in NY State Government on 03 15th, 2009 | 1 Comment

It is nice to know while those of us in the private sector struggle through this economic slowdown, New York state employees are riding in cars and using gas that we, the taxpayers, are paying for. And we are paying big. Some even get chauffeurs. While the rest of us tighten our belts, state employees...