Anyone watching WVIT Channel 30 news this evening saw a familiar face.
New Britain's own Phil Sherwood was shown in a news story as leading a very small group of protesters who were outside the Governor's mansion protesting planned cuts to the social programs.
Sherwood appeared to the viewer as the lead agitator, or at least the spokesman for the bunch.
Sherwood was full of ideas on how the state should continue to spend money for all these social programs, but there was one thing he didn't seem to offer the viewers or the Governor for that matter: a way to pay for all this free stuff--especially considering our beloved state is facing an estimated $9 billion budget shortfall.
What Sherwood doesn't appear to understand is that Governor Rell or even Mayor Stewart have the task of finding ways to pay for the all the money the legislature or the city council seem to like handing out in entitlements.
That task is difficult enough, but with more businesses closing, and others moving out of Connecticut, there is a decreasing amount of tax revenue available--making cuts unavoidable.
Anyone can come up with more ways to spend money, but few want to offer ways to finance their brainstorms.
40 comments:
out of sight,
out of mind?
Published : Monday, 06 Jul 2009, 7:35 PM EDT
Story by: Mark Davis
Hartford (WTNH) - Over 10,000 Connecticut residents with the AIDS virus may soon no longer have access to the 'Drop-In' centers designed to help them live with the virus.
Advocates for people with HIV/AIDS call it an outrage that the Governor doesn't consider people infected with the virus to be vulnerable citizens.
Charles Capers, 57, has been living with AIDS for many years and considers the 'Connections AIDS Walk In Center' to be his life-line.
While, 50-year-old Roberto Butler was diagnosed in prison. He admits to bouncing in and out on drug and petty thievery charges most of his life and thinks this center will be his lifeline as well.
"It's like a safe haven," said Butler. Butler said if this place closes up, he'll just become another statistic.
"I'll just be another person walking the streets," said Butler.
Others have similar stories.
"Before I came here, I really had no place to go. No. As far as for counseling with stress and, you know, dealing with my disease," said Rolando Ortiz of Hartford.
With no state budget agreement, the Governor is running things by executive order and has cut funding to the half dozen walk-in centers around the state to zero.
The director of the AIDS center said they only have enough rent to last the summer.
"We will have to close up after September 1st if we don't receive any state money," said Julie Janiszewski of AIDS Project Hartford.
Because of that, representatives from several social service agencies spoke out in front of the Governor's mansion Monday; even though there apparently were no budget discussions going on.
"Simply put, there are no other agencies or funding sources that can, or will, provide these services," said Shawn Lang of CT AIDS Resource Coalition.
A good deal of state government was closed down Monday for another furlough day.
My take on it is that this shows his inexperience.
the liberals won't be happy until connecticut is as bankrupt as california.
Phil Sherwood should take a course in Economics...I understand that CCSU has an excellent course.
No matter the disease, there will always be those innocents that had nothing to do with that disease entering their bodies; these people are ravaged and many die from the disease. To blame this on Gov. Rell for vetoing a budget is pure bull!
Instead, look to those greedy individuals who, with the help of unions work the system for their own financial and/or political gain. Shame also to people like Sherwood try to profit politically from the suffering endured by the people with AIDS
People should not be surprised that Phil Sherwood is spending his days leading a demonstration at the capitol protesting the reduction in state subsidies.
Look at his track record. He openly advocates for publicly funded housing, healthcare, utilities, food assistance etc.
Alderman Sherwood believes that every person has a right to the same things that people who make contributions to their community have regardless of the efforts made.
Though I work he believes that I am not entitled to greater benefits. I should pay my rent and also pay the rent for others who have not worked. Worse is that not only should I provide housing, healthcare, rent and utilities to those who sometimes choose not to work or make a poor effort to work he wants me to provide housing, healthcare, rent and utilities to those who have committed crimes against my fellow citizens!!
Mr. Sherwood does not seem to understand that his brand of socialist government programs have failed every time.
We have a responsibility to future generations. We must break the cycle of dependency that has crippled our freedoms and liberties so that we can have a truly free and just society again.
About two dozen advocates from a number of organizations gathered outside the governor’s residence in Hartford to tell Gov. M. Jodi Rell that instead of cutting spending and programs that she consider increasing taxes on the state’s wealthiest residents and corporations.
Budget Cuts Prompt More Protests
By TOM MONAHAN
Updated 11:00 PM EDT, Mon, Jul 6, 2009
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BUZZ UP!
Rolando Ortiz and Robert Butler are two HIV/Aids patients who receive help from the Institute For Community Research in Hartford. They say the facility and its programs have been a godsend in meeting their needs, whether it be in transportation, housing, medical advice, and camaraderie. Now, they, and others in the program, are worried about the proposed cuts and how they'll be affected.
Governor Rell continues to run the state through executive order as she, along with Democratic legislative leaders, try to reach agreement on a new, two-year budget. The state is facing a nearly $9 billion budget deficit, but resolving the problem has proven to be very difficult.
Rell has said the deficit can be reduced without raising taxes. At the same time, she says she realizes cuts will be painful, but that they'll have to be made. Democrats have proposed raising taxes on the wealthy and on corporations.
Monday saw most state employees staying home as part of the furlough plan to save state dollars. Union leaders and representatives of organizations that are affected by deep cuts have been holding a series of news conferences at various locations around the state. They gathered outside the Governor's official residence in Hartford Monday, calling on Rell to preserve services and stimulate the economy.
No comment from the Governor's office. Monday was another furlough day, the system set up to have state employees take a day off without pay.
Talks on the budget are expected to resume Tuesday.
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The economics course would probably be wasted because he would most likely just suggest paying for it all by raising taxes on the so-called "rich" and those greedy employers who have the nerve to expect to make a profit from their risk and personal investment in running a business. Can you imagine the gall of investing all that capital and expecting a return on it?
The only problem is that raising taxes will only cause the elimination of jobs from a combination of expediting the mass exodus from the state and the few employers who do remain will be forced to cut jobs to pay the ever increasing taxes needed to support these socialist programs.
I believe this is the same attitude that drove Wal-Mart from the city.
Anonymous posted:
Mr. Sherwood does not seem to understand that his brand of socialist government programs have failed every time.
We have a responsibility to future generations. We must break the cycle of dependency that has crippled our freedoms and liberties so that we can have a truly free and just society again.
Anonymous seems to raise a Good Point!
I saw Sherwood on Channel 8 WTNH as well...who does he think he is? Governor?
You mean rich people don't just start businesses for the purpose of creating jobs--even if the business loses money????????????????????????
Sounds like you R's are scared because there is an upcoming democrat that knows his a$% from his elbow!!! On this one he seems to be right on--
WE NEED SOME MORE PEOPLE WILLING TO FIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE IN NEW BRITAIN! KEEP IT UP!
I just heard that this is only the 2nd time that Wal*Mart has ever closed a store anywhere in the country. Just another accomplishment for New Britain thanks to the protests.
I saw that show. As I recall, Sherwood was accusing the Governor of forcing cities and towns to raise taxes to protect the wealthy. I don't recall Governor Rell forcing the Democrats on the council to give pay raises to all the city unions during an economic crisis. The Democrats did that, but somehow it is the Governor's fault.
Whatever happened to the theory of giving a hand up instead of a hand out? It isn't the business owners who are greedy because they want to make a decent profit. It's those who don't make an effort to get a job and hold onto it. Whatever happened to good old capitalism?
Anonymous said...
Sounds like you R's are scared because there is an upcoming democrat that knows his a$% from his elbow!!! On this one he seems to be right on--
WE NEED SOME MORE PEOPLE WILLING TO FIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE IN NEW BRITAIN! KEEP IT UP!
..................................
Sounds to me like Alderman Sherwood has again used are states most vulnerable to advocate for a failed socialist system of inefficient bureaucracy that flies in the face of American capitalism. Capitalism has brought us more life saving and life changing discoveries in the last 250 years than all other societies in history. The last thing we need is people like Phil Sherwood making public policy.
If anyone thinks that Phil Sherwood protests to help the downtrodden you are sorely mistaken. His interest is solely in himself and his political future. Make the downtrodden feel they are being helped and then exploit them by having them register with the new socialist poliitical party, a.k.a., Democrats and WFP.
Anything Phil Sherwood does in the name of anything he espouses is discarded as soon as someone in his Party is affected negatively. Examples? His FOI and Ethics and Disclosure ordinances he forced through here in NB until of course they affected NB Council members.
I wish Phil Sherwood would put his energies into representing the Belvedere district Of New Britain that he was elected to then trying to emulate Blumenthal in getting free press to have his face in the lime light.
His campaign promises of working for us in Belvedere have fallen on his Now Deaf Ears!! Get back to your district and represent us, your neighbors and constituents
NEW BRITAIN CT - Phil Sherwood, Democratic Alderman in New Britain's 4th Ward, said when he worked at Walmart in New Britain he saw harassment and intimidation of racial minorities employee's.
And that Walmart is the target of the largest class-action lawsuit in U.S. history, Sherwood said - The issue is [sexual] discrimination.
Sherwood stated the lack of Spanish-speaking manager at Walmart could be a problem - It breeds an atmosphere of insensitivity.
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal told Working Families protesters at July 31, 2007 rally at NB Walmart that he will investigate allegations of systematic discrimination against Spanish-speaking employees by Walmart management. "Racism has no place anywhere," he said.
The Working Families Group and New Britain’s Rep. Tim O’Brien and Alderman Phil Sherwood were also at the Walmart site at NB Farmington Avenue store in support of the Working Families Rally.
The Connecticut Working Families is a coalition of community organizations, labor unions and neighborhood activists "united to fight for a fair economy." "
HARTFORD CT: Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities:
It’s all well and good that Attorney General (AG) Richard Blumenthal stated that AG was going to ‘investigate’ alleged racial discrimination at July 31, 2007 rally of Working Families Group at NB Walmart - but there is a legal process by which an employee (Edwin Lopez) can demand that the state conduct an investigation of alleged discrimination.
It requires that one Edwin Lopez (Employee who was fired by Walmart) file a complaint with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. It doesn’t require that you have a lawyer though lawyers usually can at least tell you how the process works so you can utilize it.
This should have been the overall strategy of combating alleged discrimination at Walmart with Attorney General (AG) Blumenthal filing legal notice with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities for Mr. Lopez - instead AG engaged in a NB Farmington Avenue rally of street theater with the Working Families people at Wal-Mart store with assistance of NB Alderman Phil Sherwood and Rep. Tim O'Brien who were also at the rally.
Now, two years later the chickens have come home to roast and 162 employees are losing their jobs.
Phil Sherwood is quoted as telling the public that Governor Rell's inability to reach a budget is forcing cities to raise property taxes.
So is Phil Sherwood saying that our taxes are going up? Is he using scare tactics for votes in November? This kid loves to get his face out in the media and doesn't usually realize he is doing it with foot in mouth. The democrats are trying to hold on to social programs that need trimming.
They have people believing that continued funding is going to keep
our taxes down?
Yes, we should be taking a look at large corporate tax loopholes but that doesn't change the trimming of the fat that is needed regardless.
Anonymous said:
Sounds like you R's are scared because there is an upcoming democrat that knows his a$% from his elbow!!! On this one he seems to be right on--
WE NEED SOME MORE PEOPLE WILLING TO FIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE IN NEW BRITAIN! KEEP IT UP!
--------------------------------
Oh yah, he is right on. Push for massive tax increases that will have the permanent effect of eliminating a large number of jobs from our economy and cause more to move out of state. That will be wonderful for New Britain, won't it?
Maybe you should join him in the economics class that other reader suggested he take, because you are demonstrating your lack of understanding on the subject.
If you still think his fights are worthwhile, explain the results of his last one. Just go shopping at Wal-Mart on September 1st and tell us how many Spanish speaking managers you will find.
Raising taxes in a depression will do nothing but destroy the economy. On this one, he has totally missed the boat.
After these guys finish running all the employers out of business and forcing the "rich" people to leave the state to avoid their repressive taxes, who is going to be left to pay for their Socialist programs?
"Sherwood stated the lack of Spanish-speaking manager at Walmart could be a problem - It breeds an atmosphere of insensitivity."
They won't have to worry about insensitivity anymore, now will they??
By the way, I didn't hear him advocating for a Polish speaking manager for New Britain's large Polish community, now did I?
Isn't that insensitive on his part?
As I watched the news last night, Mr. Sherwood seemed very passionate about his dislike for rich people.
Where have I seen that before?
I have a question for Ald. Sherwood:
If he is has as much contempt for rich people as it would appear, could he please tell us how many jobs he ever got from a poor person?
I'm sure the people of the Belvedere District would like to know the whole picture.
How many soon to be former Wal*Mart employees and their family members live in the 4th ward?
Anonymous said...
isn't the working families party a communist group?
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Pretty darn close
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Working Families Party was first organized in 1998 by a coalition of labor unions, ACORN and other community organizations along with members of the now-inactive national New Party,
The New Parties strategy was to change states' election rules to allow fusion voting - a method of voting that allows minor parties to have their own ballot line with which they can either endorse their own candidates or endorse the candidates of other parties.
Essentially they were (The New Party) and still are (The Working families party) a tool used by the Socialist wing of the Democratic Party.
The stated goal is to cross endorse socialist leaning Candidates essentially muting the moderate and conservative members of the Democratic Party.
Using these tactics they have in some cases effectively taken over some city and town councils. Last election they brought the likes of Alderman Sherwood and Co. to town. They also cross endorsed the liberal incumbents ensuring that they could push an ultra liberal agenda on the City Council
Left unchecked they can be very dangerous to our democratic society.
July 1, 2009 9:10 PM
Do I see a pattern emerging?
When there was a vacancy for the council, I read that Alderman Sherwood was quoted as saying that the seat had to go to a Hispanic.
Now he is reported to be protesting at Wal-Mart for managers who speak Spanish.
I haven't read anything to indicate his working for anyone other than one specific minority group.
Wasn't he elected to represent all the people of his district?
Anonymous said...
The stated goal is to cross endorse socialist leaning Candidates essentially muting the moderate and conservative members of the Democratic Party.
Using these tactics they have in some cases effectively taken over some city and town councils. Last election they brought the likes of Alderman Sherwood and Co. to town. They also cross endorsed the liberal incumbents ensuring that they could push an ultra liberal agenda on the City Council
Left unchecked they can be very dangerous to our democratic society.
I think we are witnessing this unfolding before our eyes.
All this flack about Alderman Sherwood makes me wonder what he does for a living. He has time to appear at the Wal*Mart rally 2 years ago, appeared at a demonstration at the Governor's Mansion earlier this week, has time to do "research" at City Hall, etc.,etc.,
Does he get paid for all this? If so, by whom? He lives on Commonwealth Avenue, which is a nice neighborhood. Someone in his age group must make a good salary to live in such a nice area. Yet he is a stringent supporter for the "downtrodden".
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Like Sherwood or not he is the least likely to benefit from the Working FAmillies thing. According to the courant he got hundreds more votes than Mr. Hermonowski. We'd be better off focusing on beating other people...if Sherwood has less friends he has less power!
Just Curious,
Republicans could never find the time for so many protests, because we are too busy running our businesses and working at our jobs to pay the taxes for all the money people like this want to take away from us in ever increasing taxes to finance all these freebies for people who don't work.
Sounds like Sherwood is as "untouchable" as Chris Dodd, and about as popular.
As a veteran Belvedere resident and political junkie, I ask all of you to help us to rid our district, as well as the city of this Sherwood menance.
We need to fight back. Sherwood will have left wing loonies from out of town going door to door handing out leaflets favoring Sherwood. We will do nothing as usual.
We need new strong leadership on the RTC. They do NOTHING! We have ourselves to blame for tolerating the same old- same old! We need new blood and not opportunists!
HARTFORD CT: The CT Democrat Legislature in Hartford is scared to death of the State and Local Public Employee Unions.
That's because the Democrats in the CT Legislature are voted into office by these Public Employee Unions plus these Democrat CT Legislatures are more interested in preserving their state employee jobs, pensions and benefits ( and their office) than in properly managing the State of Connecticut Tax Budget by raising taxes on business and taxpayers.
A menace is being nice.
which businesses are they going to try and run out of town next?
take note Sherwood: more huge bonuses for AIG employees!!!!!!
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