Liz  Benjamin from the New York Daily News reports, “Being in the minority seems to have sparked an epiphany among Senate Republicans. They now say it was wrong to allow former Majority Leader Joe Bruno and other GOP leaders to hold so much power and not empower individual members - including minority conference members.”

She was reporting about a Press Conference Republican Senators held.  They are unhappy that Senate Democrats have not followed through on their promises to bring about reform on how things are done in the Senate.

How are things done?  The first item of business at the beginning of the two-year session is to elect a Majority Leader.  He appoints all the Committee Chairman, assigns members to committees and offices, hires and fires staff, and sets the agenda for the house.  Nothing happens on the floor of the house without the Majority Leader’s approval.  In other words, he is a dictator.

When asked if the system was wrong when they were in charge, Republican Senate Minority Leader responded, “It was and that’s why I’m looking to change it.”

Why didn’t he or his fellow Republicans speak up before now?  Senator Bonacic piped up and spoke of the “power of kings,” such as losing a stipend, having a smaller office, losing staff members, and then he added, “That is fear. You understand fear?”  

Too much power in one person brings corruption – and that is exactly what is happening at the New York State Capitol right now.  It is time for real CHANGE, such as term limits on leadership posts and other bipartisan reform.  But it will not happen until “WE the people” demand it!