Andrew Cuomo finally announced that he is running for governor of New York. This is hardly a surprise and his initial announcement is filled with the usual candidate promises. It reminds us of Elliot Spitzer who promised us all the good things he was going to do to solve the problems of the Empire State once he took office.

It turned out he was one of the big problems of New York government and he resigned in disgrace. He was replaced by an incompetent Lieutenant Governor who, with the aid of several powerful corrupt politicians, drove (and is still driving) New York deeper in debt and helping to add to the definition of “dysfunctional.”

Of course, Handy Andy will bring all these problems to a screeching halt with his charm, personality and outstanding ability. At least, that is what he implies with his speeches. What causes us to wonder about the sincerity of his promises and his ability to follow through is the big question. If he recognizes the corruption at the head of our “leadership” and knows how to end it, why didn’t he do it as Attorney General?

The office has awesome power and several observers have commented that he performed at minimal levels to gain favorable publicity, but didn’t disturb the status quo. Scandals rocked the Capitol and ran rampant throughout it, but most of those in high places escaped any real investigations or were punished with penalties not consistent with the crimes.

This will be a very interesting campaign, particularly if his opponent will be Carl Paladino. There will never be any doubt about the concept of “a choice, not an echo.” The two have very different approaches to fixing the problem in Albany.

Cuomo will talk about fixing. This is a good talking point, but the fact is that Albany is beyond “fixing.” It is so entrenched in corruption and maintaining the status quo, that tinkering with the political machinery will not be effective.

Paladino wants to “turn Albany upside down.” This will be difficult considering the power and the willingness to abuse the power by the controllers who actually run the government. It will take a person who does not intend to be a career politician to be willing to charge into the established apple cart in order to overturn it. None of the other Republican challengers have the stones to do that. They are too entrenched in the current process to make a difference.

It will take a real crusader to stand up to the unions, lobbyists and power brokers to create meaningful reform, or better yet, change. Cuomo hasn’t done anything like that while wielding the power of his office and could have already made a big dent in the corrupt actions of those at the top of the political food chain.

It will take a person who is rich enough to not be bought. Paladino fills the bill. It will take a person with a rhino’s hide to withstand the pelting from the liberal press and the ultra-liberal politicians. Again, Paladino has a record of not being intimidated by anyone. The way he built a business empire demonstrates his ability to lead and get the necessary jobs done.

Cuomo, on the other hand, has had some very negative blots on his record as a bureaucrat, starting with his involvement with HUD. These will be pointed out in future columns, along with other weaknesses.

If Lazio or Levy is his opponent, Cuomo should not have much difficulty winning the big prize and keeping the Democrats (especially the ultra-liberal ones in New York City) in power. Paladino is the only candidate who has the proper motivation and ability to get New York away from the “three men in a room,” and to bring the financial debacle now dominating the process under control.

If the voters make the correct choice, New York can be saved.

I spent the weekend with a group I call the “last bastion of the patriots.” This is my definition of NRA members and this was the Annual Meeting of Members held in Charlotte, NC. They came in droves, more than 70,000 strong to set an attendance record. All are patriots and willing to get involved in the fight for freedom. This was the theme of the inspirational and motivational speeches.

Wayne LaPierre, Executive Vice President of the NRA, focused on the reality of the new Arizona law to get rid of illegal aliens. This is not a new law, but rather gives the state power to enforce a federal law regarding people who enter America illegally. It isn’t racism or profiling. It just makes it easier for police agencies in the state to arrest those who don’t belong here and arrange to have them sent back to their country of origin.

In a way it is like the cell phone laws of New York. A person has to be stopped for a reason before the subject of illegal use of the cell phone can be an issue. The police are not empowered to stop people because they have a dark skin or don’t speak English. This could happen with some cops who have badges heavier than most, but this could cause problems to law enforcement officers and most rational people do not see this as something that will be used to abuse civil rights.

Federal law requires all legal aliens to carry ID, so this should not be a problem for legal residents. Showing ID is required for airline travel, checking into a motel, if stopped for any offense, and even to buy alcohol or tobacco. We need to show an ID if we want to cash a check in most places or apply for benefits with social services. We need to show an ID when we go to a hospital and have an insurance card. In other words, in many cases within the daily activities of our society, we have to prove we are really who we say we are. For legal residents, this is no big deal. For illegal aliens, this SHOULD BE A PROBLEM!

Those who don’t belong in America are draining our resources with our generous benefit programs, medical treatment, education, and a large portion of our prison population contains illegal aliens. People decry the cost of deportation, but it is cheaper than supporting the illegal aliens. The figures do not factor in the cost of the crimes committed by those who don’t belong within our borders and the figures are truly large.

EVP Wayne La Pierre used the incident of an Arizona rancher who was brutally murdered by someone who dug a hole under his border fence to enter illegally. The investigation showed tracks of the killer going back to Mexico and the murderer is still at large. Nobody expects the Mexican authorities to be concerned about the crime. The audience overwhelmingly showed sympathy and compassion for the family who attended the meeting. It is a crime that never should have been committed and many blamed the fact that the federal government is not upholding their obligation to enforce the current federal laws. No wonder the state of Arizona had to pass a law in order to protect their citizens.

Nobody condones vigilantism. but if people can’t rely on laws being enforced, who can blame them if they decide to use all means available and possible to protect themselves, their families and their property? NRA members believe in the lawful use of firearms and one of the basic laws of the land and of nature is the undeniable right of self-defense.

The second theme of the meeting was the absolute need to change the makeup of our government through the November elections. The speakers explained the necessity of getting out the vote in November in order to change the makeup of an administration that is leading the nation to fiscal disaster and opening wide the doors to socialism.

To protect our nation, we need legislators who will take their oath of office regarding the protection of our Constitution seriously. Those who don’t should be replaced by those who do. The NRA will be making an all-out effort to educate their members regarding the best candidates and encourage them to help get out the vote to save the freedoms our forefathers provided in the Constitution and many brave men and women gave their lives to keep during wars.

Let us hope the plan works.

What’s wrong with the new Arizona law to rid the state of illegal aliens? In a word, nothing! The liberals have called it a terrible law and have likened it to the old WW II movies of Nazi police going through train and bus stations where people were asked, “Papers, please.”

The same liberals are accusing the lawmakers of being racist and asserting that police will use “profiling” to harass dark-skinned people by insisting on seeing ID if the police reasonably believe the person may be here illegally. This is pure nonsense. The ID is a way of life for all people.

If you want to go to Canada, you must show a special type of driver’s license, a passport or a birth certificate. If you want to fly on an airline, you have to show a valid ID. If you want to buy alcohol or tobacco, you must show an ID with your birth date on it. There are many other situations where an ID is necessary to transact business. This is nothing new.

First, we have to come to grips that the term “illegal” means the person is engaged in a criminal activity. Crossing the border without proper documentation or a proper procedure is against the law. In Mexico it is a felony, so why is Mexico President Calderon getting upset if there is a law against Mexicans coming to the United States illegally?

In fact, if one checks out the Mexican laws regarding immigration, legal and illegal, we could take a lesson from how strict such laws can be. Perhaps Mexico is in favor of the double standard when it comes to crossing their border.

Actually, the Arizona law does not discriminate against Hispanics. It applies to all illegal immigrants be they from Asia, the Middle East, Europe or Africa. The law applies to all who do not enter the US by legal means. That is the way it should be throughout the country.

This columnist does not see that there will be numerous abuses by police just stopping people demanding ID because they have darker skin or speak with an accent. The most likely determination will be in conjunction with some offense that is against the law.

If a person is stopped for a traffic violation and the officer can reasonably believe that the person is not here legally (lack of a driver’s license could be a red flag) he should ask for proper ID. If the person can’t produce proper documentation, he should be at least detained until he can produce one. If he can’t, he should be turned over to the INS or ICE authorities and be deported.

If a bunch of gang bangers are arrested and are found to be here illegally, they should be immediately deported after serving any prison terms. That is most reasonable.

If someone is applying for social services, they should have to prove legal residence or get transportation back to their native land. The costs of a bus, train or plane ticket would be far less than the costs to taxpayers for illegally obtained benefits.

Documentation should be required for admission to schools and hospitals. In case of medical care, the health facility should provide necessary immediate care, call the authorities and then see that the person is deported. There are those who will decry such “heartless” measures, but name another country that will cater to illegal immigrants.

We are facing tough economic times in the US and if cuts are to be made in spending, these cuts should start with those who don’t deserve to be on the public dole. If the country cannot afford to give those on Social Security a pittance of a raise to meet the demands of higher costs for food, energy and other daily expenses, how can we justify supporting those who cross our borders illegally?

The illegal immigrant problem (and it is a big, expensive problem) is costing American taxpayers mega billions of dollars a year. Arizona is taking a good first step to correct this injustice to American citizens. Arizona lawmakers should be applauded rather than criticized.

New York has some of the country’s dumbest gun laws, especially when it comes to handguns. The Sullivan Law has been in effect for almost a century and has had no effect on the misuse of handguns compared to other states. Simply put, criminals don’t obey laws. That is why they are called criminals or outlaws.

The Sullivan Law applies to the possession of handguns and requires the registration of each gun to the individual holding a pistol permit. Section 265 of the Penal Law says it is illegal to be in possession of a handgun that is not registered to the person handling it. There is one exception outside of law enforcement.

This allows hands-on training for safety and competence handling a firearm (handgun) for people between the ages of 14 and 20 for the purposes of instruction. Simply put, the state believes that teen-agers are responsible enough to learn how to safely handle and shoot a firearm, but adults are not.

This is akin to saying, “You must take driving lessons to be able to operate an automobile, but you can’t get behind the wheel and operate the shift, pedals and steering wheel until you get a driver’s license.” Individual legislators we talk to think it is stupid, but it won’t pass the assembly or senate. We should be used to stupid leadership in Albany by now.

Also, let’s say that two friends are at the range and they would like to try out the other’s gun to see how it handles and shoots. Technically, they are breaking the law if they do so. The exception in law is that if a marksmanship competitor is at a registered match and his gun becomes disabled, he may borrow another competitor’s gun to finish the match. That law is a real violent gun crime stopper.

To get the pistol permit is an exercise in futility and patience. In Erie County and many other counties it takes from six months to a year to obtain one. A person must submit an application with his photo and fingerprints. Many counties require a certificate of competence in handling a firearm. Remember, he is prohibited from holding, loading or shooting a handgun, unless he is a teen age student.

Then, his fingerprints are sent to the FBI and State Police for a criminal background check. If the application comes back with no negative information regarding his eligibility to possess a firearm, he is then investigated by local law enforcement. This is not a high priority by the local police agencies. They will check references and do a local criminal check. The application may sit for months before they “get around to it.”

In Erie County, it has been the practice by issuing judges to routinely restrict the permit to “target and hunting.” One of the major reasons for wanting a handgun is for personal protection. However, it is difficult to get an unrestricted permit unless the applicant has political connections. Most of the surrounding counties issue a permit without restrictions. Perhaps the Erie County judges have a much lower opinion of their constituents regarding responsibility, trustworthiness and good conduct.

One of the most basic of rights is the right of self-defense. Obviously, the judges in Erie County and some others disagree. However, they all have armed deputies in their courts. Maybe they believe some lives (like theirs) are worth more than others (ours).

The legislators passed the CoBIS (Combined Ballistic Information System) a decade ago that requires manufacturers or dealers to send a fired shell casing to the State Police to keep a record in case a crime is committed and a fired shell case is left behind. The idea was that they may be able to find a match and catch the criminal.

At last count, one third of the cases sent have not yet been recorded, the system has cost the taxpayers more than $20 million and has yet to be useful in solving a gun crime.

No wonder a late pro-gun activist hit the mark when he said, “Any politician who thinks gun control will reduce violent crime is too stupid to represent me on other issues.”

New York proves he was right!