The silence is deafening

To the Editor:

In 2010, the people of New York elected Andrew Cuomo in part on the promise that he would clean up Albany. The Moreland Commission came into being in July 2013. It lasted nine months before being disbanded. One can only assume that the commission got too close to the ugly truth about the leadership of both parties, or those close to the governor, or possibly the governor himself — we may never know.

Risa Sugarman, the independent enforcement counsel for the New York State Board of Elections, has effectively been muzzled.

The same individuals who ensure that voting, ethics, and election reforms never see the light of day also appoint the board of elections. They are old, gray-haired, career senators (a lot from upstate) who do everything they can to ensure that their power is never diminished.

In Russia, the opposition is shot, poisoned, or imprisoned. In New York, you just make laws to protect your power, shut down commissions, quiet those who search for the truth, and kill any reforms that threaten you. Not nearly as violent as Russia, but every bit as effective.

Mr. Cuomo promised New York that he would clean up Albany. Eight years in, and with the indictment of three legislative leaders, his “third brother” convicted, and another 40-plus legislators behind bars — the silence is deafening.

Bill Goergen

Guilderland

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