THE SARAH PALIN EXPERIMENT

Have you noticed the mere mention of Sarah Palin makes people crazy? It's like nothing I've ever seen. Even during Watergate people didn't get that worked up over Nixon. I don't know why exactly but nobody ever shrugs their shoulders when Palin's name comes up. So I've taken to having some fun with it. You should to. I was in a New York City restaurant last night with friends. I casually asked the group if they'd noticed people seem to have a strong reaction to Sarah Palin. That's all I had to say. I then sat back as everyone at the table started sputtering on about Palin, her family, Dancing with the Stars, her book sales. One of the people with us is a 21-year-old German exchange student. Even she came out smoking. "In Germany, we think she's very stupid." So here's the question. Why are people so worked up about this woman?

CHARLIE RANGEL FOUND GUILTY ON 11 COUNTS

To no one's surprise sleazy Harlem Congressman Charlie Rangel was found guilty of numerous ethical violations. The commmon demoninator was dishonesty and arrogance. He failed to reprt income, gifts and stole from political contributors. So what happens to Rangel now. He either gets a letter of reprimand or censure from the House. In others words, nothing. It would take a 2/3 vote of the House to expell the bum and democrats won't do it. Yet I read this morning another less connected African-American just got 13 years in jail for holding up a deli in Poughkeepsie with a toy gun. Rangel stole millions and violated the public trust yet he gets to go home and play the tiresome race card. Something's very wrong with our judicial system and Congress.

ANYBODY FOR A TAX HIKE?

The Hyde Park town board is proposing a substantial tax hike despite the toughest economic environment in memory. Most annoying is a 25% raise for the Town Clerk, who has been on the job for less than a year. Most other towns in the Hudson Valley are proposing tax reductions or very small increases. Beekman just announced a zero % increase. Hyde Park Supervisor Tom Martino blames state and federal mandates for his 15% increase. My question is how does everyone else seem to manage? that's right, they're not playing politics and rewarding their political friends,

HYDE PARK BOARD HITS ROCK BOTTOM

Just when you thought this dysfunctional town board couldn't sink any lower, they prove you wrong. Messrs. Monks, Martino and Athanas put on a clinic last night arguing with residents, treating them rudely and finally refusing to condemn a remark made by Republican Bob Clearwater that former Supervisor Pompey Delafield "should be shot." We all know politics can get a little rough but condoning violence against a former public service crosses the line. Clearwater later apologized for his intemperate remark but Monks, Martino and Athanas refused to disassociate themselves from the hateful remark. Making matters worse was their butt boy, planning board member Chan Murphy mocking Councilwoman Sue Serino as she discussed her brother's recent suicide. Serino was attempting to put our current economic hardships and lack of employment as reason to hold taxes steady when the obnoxious Murphy began mocking the reference to her brother. Serino understandably took offense and called Murphy, "a disgusting human being" which he is. It's unfortunate we have to wait a year to vote these people out because it looks like they intend to do as much damage as possible.

WHO RAISES TAXES NOW?

I was at the hideous Hyde Park town board meeting Thursday night as they tried justifying a proposed 15% tax hike next year. Needless to say residents weren't buying it. The irony is these were so-called fiscally conservative republicans calling for a huge tax increase locally while criticizing democrats nationally for overspending. You can't have it both ways Mr. Martino and your faux Tea Party allies. A real republican simply makes some tough choices in bad times and reduces spending. Instead these clowns want to give the Town Clerk a 25% raise among other things. Are they insane? There should be a pay freeze and hiring freeze as well. Stop blaming everything on someone or something else. You have the job so now go do it!

Bye-Bye Pelosi and Co.

Well, it's almost 24 hours since America showed Nancy Pelosi and the Obama agenda the door and I'm still buzzing. My only regret is that hideous Harry Reid managed to retain his Senate seat in Nevada. A chastened President Obama held a press conference today and came as close as he can to being humble. The overwhelming rejection of almost everything he's done since assuming office has apparently broken through his legendary arrogance and conceit. One thing I found interesting in the results was conservatives managed to discern the difference between good and bad candidates. The fact that voters refused to buy Sharon Angle, Christine O'Donnell and Linda McMahon tells me not being a democrat was not enough to insure victory. All three candidates had a ton of money and media exposure but voters refused to elect flawed candidates. It makes the overall landslide more credible. My final observation after hitting a number of election night celebrations is democrats do better food, at least in Hyde Park!