Why has New York become so leftist, even communist in its governmental approach? Granted this is directed more toward the urbanites of the Big Apple and surrounding areas, but look at the vote totals each election. Upstate and rural areas are much more normal and patriotic based on my observations and relationships. However, I observed in my business career as well as with extended family who live in the area, (said in my best hillbilly vernacular), a lot of them ain’t right in the head. The absolutely bizarre behavior you see from supposedly “elected” officials and administrators of law there is actually not unusual. It has been their modus operandi for many years. For a people who have benefitted from capitalism and the actions of patriots as much or more than anywhere in America, they sure have a strong inclination to run toward and embrace criminality, communism, and slavery.

A Google provided AI response to the “why” question is below,

New York’s liberal leanings stem from its diverse population, history of progressive movements supported by strong labor unions, and a political system that has historically allowed for influential third-party politics, such as the Working Families Party, which champions policies for working-class families. The state’s large urban centers, particularly New York City, have long been centers of social reform and progressive ideology, attracting and fostering a populace that values social justice and government intervention. 

Key Factors Contributing to New York’s Liberalism:

• Diverse Population:New York is a melting pot of cultures and experiences, and this diversity has historically fostered progressive and liberal viewpoints. 
• Strong Labor Movement:A powerful labor history, particularly with unions like those in the garment industry, has supported liberal politicians and policies that benefit working-class families. 
• Influential Progressive Parties:The state has a history of strong third-party movements that have promoted progressive agendas, like the Working Families Party, focusing on issues like inequality and opportunity for middle- and working-class families. 
• Urban Centers and Social Reform:New York City and other urban areas have long been hubs for social movements and progressive ideas, creating a political culture that supports policies aimed at social and economic justice. 
• Historical Liberalism:The Liberal Party, though now defunct, once wielded significant political power, demonstrating the historical presence and success of liberal politics in the state. 

I found the response to be observationally reasonable and justified. As you can tell, none of that screams tradition, patriotism and American exceptionalism. In fact, much of it is misdirection to funnel support away from American traditional values. The very premise of each of the bullet pointed statements assumes America’s historical values are insufficient or wrong headed. There is no emphasis on assimilation in being in a melting pot today. In fact, there is an increased emphasis on polarization and division that is exploited by Democrat Party political leaders as they build their support models and fund raising opportunities. Division and manipulation appear to be the code words. They cobble together coalitions and alliances among the groups listed above and others in their efforts to circumvent the Constitution, laws, regulations and so on for their benefit. If laws, regulations and so on can be made to bend to fit their aspirations, that’s how it goes with no regard or acceptance of the original intent. If a law or regulation covers something they do not like, they ignore it if they are in power.

Simply, they employ “relative truth” as their modus operandi with power and money being their gods. Everything described above by the AI response to the question can demonstrably be proven corrupted – and for a very long period of time in that state. It is not exclusive to NY, but is a dominant feature there.

The overwhelming majority of its urban citizenry are immigrants or children of same who left their homes to relocate to America for good reasons. Primarily, it is because things were not working out in their favor where they previously lived. There may have been really good reasons they were encouraged or forced to leave. Who wants to keep up criminals and other wackos when they can be dumped on America? In the case of the criminal Dems they represent more opportunities to increase their power. Once the immigrants (legal and illegal) arrive they proceed to hive with other people similar to themselves. Which is when the criminal Dems and their minions step in to “help”, frequently through the use of taxpayer dollars to build alliances and coalitions that the colluding politicians eagerly provide.

All of that leads to…

Slavery Of The Masses

Many years ago a friend once told me the sheeple described above were useful idiots. They are allowed to live and be supported as long as they are useful. Since the described activities have been going on for a couple of centuries in America, it is clear they are just modern day slaves.

Many have been recruited and otherwise lured to our shores with offers and promises contingent upon their performance of certain actions which often requires selling their souls. The slave traders may not be trolling Africa for helpless victims as in the past, however, these modern day counterparts are trafficking in a similar manner. They do not need force and shackles to make the capture, they use promises, false narratives and money. The force comes later if these modern day slaves do not do what is required. The slave traders recruit criminals, terrorists, revolutionaries, and poverty stricken participants with promises of a better life, more money, and freedom. They sell a false image of America that has been created to circumvent the one our patriot founders sacrificed their blood and lives to create.

It is not just confined to NY by any means. Look at Hyundai in Savannah, GA. Same deal.

The criminals are not recruiting people to assimilate into America’s melting pot who can add to society. They are recruiting to tear down our culture, create chaos, and work to achieve their ends. But once here and assigned their tasks, failure to comply with the terms of entry results in harsh punishment, personal death, or deaths of loved ones. I hope readers realize this invasion has not been about paying coyotes to escort invaders across the border and the latter not having responsibilities to fulfill while living here. They are picked up and taken by soldiers of the left (traffickers) to their next destinations where they are given ID, basic supplies and their future assignments. Then they are transported to their handlers, given shelter and put to work. Which should tell all of us that the employers using them are as bad as the slave traders who secure and traffic them.

It is no wonder their children continue that way of life; it is all they know.

You have seen how this all works first hand, you know now. As an example POTUS Trump and patriots compelled the whole nation to watch in real time with Kilmar Abrego Garcia. A MS-13 human trafficker, wife beater, and alleged child porn lover with an outstanding deportation order was caught by the highway patrol in my state, with the officer making the stop recording the event. He radioed in for instructions and his department supervisor was then told by the Brandon administration to send him on his way. They had no interest in sending ICE to arrest the Maryland Man and his traveling illegal companions. Once addressed by ICE with POTUS Trump’s election, Democrat Senators and Representatives have gone insane protecting their boy, making their support of criminals even more obvious.

This was happening in every state in America for years. How much of it did you see in the fake news media? Yup, nothing until President Trump was elected and the Dems needed to find something, anything to try to create disunity within our population.

Knowing this today, we turn our attention to patterns that developed over a couple of centuries in New York (and other colonies turned states) to establish a basis of fact versus fiction. Please read the link below from The New York Historical Society,

https://www.slaveryinnewyork.org/history.htm

Now consider what happened on those slave ships that brought those poor souls to our shores. Don’t pass this one up. The misery they endured is worthy of your time to read it if you value the pursuit of truth. It is not for the faint of heart.

https://www.historyisnowmagazine.com/blog/2023/2/22/a-history-of-slavery-in-new-york

We see wealth built and power attained on the backs of the poor and oppressed with total disregard for the person. It is a tale as old as time, similar to what can even be found in the Old Testament that extended into the Roman Empire and New Testament of the Holy Bible. Human beings treated worse than vermin for thousands of years. We just do not like to think about it happening here in America, in a time period of our nation’s founding by people we have been taught and grown to revere for all they gave toward our independence.

Which is exactly what continues today through the trafficking and other forms. It turns out there are many ways to enslave. Some slavery is intended to be permanent, other forms are purpose intended and may have limited periods of service.

My advice is to never be sucked into a belief or argument that equates slavery with skin color. That’s a non-starter. Slaves have been of all skin colors throughout world history. Slavery is achieved through domination of cultures and groupings of people without regard to skin color. Some cultures and people groupings are developed for the purpose of producing slaves. Others devolve into weakness that makes is easier to be dominated. In America the left has been developing its own culture of weak sheeple who serve as their slaves. They are incapable of being able to critically think and analyze. Logic totally escapes them. That is why they resort to violence, sexual perversions, drugs, corruption and more.

They indoctrinate people like Tyler Robinson into being their willing slaves.

What Now?

With what POTUS Trump and patriots are accomplishing in a short period of time with great cooperation from much of the world’s leadership; is there any doubt that the primary role of America First MAGA is to release all mankind from slavery? I really see no legitimate counter to that statement.

So, what is it that the Declaration of Independence was authorized to say 250 years ago, oh yes, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” The point of government is to serve that end as it further says in the next sentence, “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,”.

Did you notice that nothing is said about the colonies or any country in particular in those two statements? They are about universal truths and principles for mankind’s existence on this planet. They pointed to the Creator as the author. The vision of the Declaration is far bigger than any one group of people or nation. So why was it viewed acceptable by the people who wrote those words to enslave other people? Did they not view the slaves as people? How about the indentured servants who were viewed as lessers and also frequently abused? Were they really just property to them, like livestock?

That is something to ponder. We will address more of this important issue as we venture on. However, it is now time for another NY Declaration signer.

Francis Lewis

Once again we turn to the motherland to determine the birthplace of Francis Lewis. We are fairly certain he was born in Llandoff, Wales in 1713. However, sources diverge a bit at that point. Most all of them messed up some details and timeline of events, even the Descendants site. So you are receiving the TB best guess interpretation.

😂

Despite its issues I primarily used the Descendants site, which has corroborating statements from other reputable sites. Then I reconstructed a timeline from all sources. This is yet another example of not blindly accepting Wiki as accurate.

Young Francis was the son of Rev. Francis Lewis and wife, Amy Pettingal. His father was Episcopal clergy and his mother was the daughter of clergy. Young Francis was orphaned at age 5. He lived with his wealthy aunt who made sure he received a good education, first in Scotland and later at Westminster School in London.

After graduation he went into the mercantile business. At the age of 21 he sold some property his father left him, purchased merchandise, and shipped out to America. He landed in NY, went to Philadelphia briefy and returned to NY, having set up a mercantile business with Edward Annesley. He next became involved in shipping with trade in Europe and Africa primarily. In 1745 he married the younger sister of his business partner, Elizabeth Annesley. They had seven children, but only three survived to adulthood.

During the French and Indian War, Lewis supplied British forces with clothing. During one period in 1756, the fort where he was located came under attack and its commander killed while standing next to Lewis. The Brits surrendered and were assured safety. However, the Indians were given the opportunity to take 30 from the British side to take captive or kill. Lewis was one of those chosen. Fortunately, he was able to communicate with the Chief due to similarities with the Welsh language of his youth. The Chief liked him and released him back to the French in Montreal with recommendations for his release. Instead, they sent him to France as a prisoner. He was released in 1763 in an exchange of prisoners. To compensate him from his years in captivity, the British authorities gave him 5000 acres of land in NY upon his return.

Apparently, within a two year period he made an absolute fortune. So much that he was believed to have been the fifth wealthiest founding father to sign the Declaration. At the end of the two years he retired at the age of 52. Other than helping a son get established in business, he turned his attention to government and the independence movement, attending the Stamp Act Congress. He is believed to have been one of the leaders in the Sons of Liberty. He joined the NY revolutionary related committees and later helped set up the state government. He had a strong sense of detail and accounting, so he was very valuable in securing supplies and arms for the continental army through the Secret Committee.

He became a member of the Continental Congress. Due to strong Tory influence in the colony, he was instructed to not vote for independence, however, once the Declaration was approved he signed without reservation. Later that same year the British moved on NY. They destroyed his home in Whitestone (aka Flushing today) and took his wife captive. She was later released in an exchange with British wives, however, the hardship cost her health. She passed away from the effects in 1779. Apparently, he remained a staunch ally of George Washington even through the Conway Cabal mischief of Gen. Horatio Gates that was sandwiched around Valley Forge. He was one of 16 Declaration signers who also signed the Articles of Confederation.

With the death of Elizabeth, Francis grieved and took a step back from governmental activities in 1781. After the war he served for three years as a vestryman of Trinity Church (Episcopal). He spent the last 20 years of his life enjoying his children and grandchildren. He passed away in 1802 at the age of 89. He is buried in the Churchyard at Trinity.

Francis is also famous for being the father of son, Morgan Lewis. Morgan was a highly accomplished patriot who graduated from Princeton and served as a Major under Gates. As an aide to Gates he was named the quartermaster-general of the northern Army and had a part in the Gates led victory of the colonists at Saratoga. He returned to law practice after the war, was elected into the assembly and later became a judge. He was elected Governor of the state from 1804-07.

President Madison asked him to serve as Secretary Of War, but he declined as he wanted a more active role in the War of 1812. He was appointed quartermaster-general of the armies instead. He was promoted to major-general a year later and led forces in victories against the British. Afterwards he became a founder of New York University.

We give a big salute to the Lewis family and in particular, Francis, for his commitment to the efforts of patriots. Despite the hardships, he persevered and left a lasting family legacy that benefited America.

Please remember Wolf’s rules for our community. In general that means to be respectful to each other and to pull no shenanigans that your mom might find offensive or otherwise cause jail time. That said, free speech is honored here.

Be blessed and go make something good happen!

We move to neighboring New York to begin the next reveal of the remaining Declaration signers. So let’s open with some famous New Yorkers and NY related songs to get us warmed up. There are Goober Gump sightings in this one.

OK, went back in the time capsule for that one. In fact, I saw him in concert in Vegas a few years previous to this performance. Yes, I’m old.

Let’s go with a more current NY music entertainer, albeit a now older guy who is having his own health issues and stepping back from the limelight.

Well, now that you asked, I also saw this guy in concert in 1973; the year Piano Man came out following the Cold Spring Harbor Tour. He excitedly announced on stage that the song was going to be released in about a month along with a planned album later. The response from the thousands in the crowd after hearing the song was like thunder. As we now know, that song is timeless Americana that will be forever associated with Billy Joel.

Then there was the following New York bred music entertainer, Harry Chapin, that some may know, or barely remember, or may not know at all . Yup, saw him the same year. Hands down one of the best concerts I have ever seen. He held the crowd in his hands with his stories, humor and talent. His brother, Tom, sang the high female voice part. Tom also did a cool Saturday morning children’s TV show called Make A Wish that won an Emmy. He played six instruments in the band. In addition, Harry’s bass player was the baritone voice heard as Mr. Tanner in the song of that name. That song was based on a real person and event with the actual name, location and occupation changed to protect the described person. Years later the person learned about the song and was very happy that Harry had remembered him.

Harry’s life was cut way too short at age 38 in an auto accident on the Long Island Expressway. So, here is one in his memory…

However, as much as I enjoyed and was musically influenced by the NY entertainers above, the following expresses my personal thoughts and feelings about New York itself. That is not a slam to the many fine people who live in the state or some of its more beautiful environment. It is directed at just how far the state in general has strayed from its founding and service to America. That has led to the virtual destruction in the quality of life one should expect. I will address more of my thoughts on that issue in a future part.

Yeah, as he toured the south I saw this Philadelphia area singer songwriter, Jim Croce, who would not be recognized by many as a classically trained music student at Villanova as a young man. Yes, the concert I attended was in that same year. It was held less than two weeks before his plane went down with his bandmates traveling to a concert in Louisiana and he was lost to all of us. What the world did not know at the time was that he was choosing to give up his promising entertainment career to write short stories and movie scripts. While on this last tour he had written his wife a letter describing his decision. It arrived after his passing.

We never know as we wander through life what is in store. Time to get busy.

New York Revolutionary War Militia Involvement

The following in the link below is priceless for historians and genealogists as it was published in 1904 and archived by the State of New York’s Office of the Comptroller. It contains documents and records from the Revolutionary War period in the state that includes names of militia members in every regiment and area of service. I found it interesting, especially the fact that the Comptroller at that time documented the fact that NY provided more than double the number of military members during the Revolutionary War than credited by historians up to that point. The two figures are starkly different at 17.8 K officially versus 43.6 K with this revision. Yet, another proof that history and narratives are frequently wrongly stated. Readers should keep that in mind when trying to learn more and should not take statements of historians as gospel without first personally investigating and consulting numerous sources.

https://archive.org/details/newyorkrevolution01statrich/page/n63/mode/2up?view=theater

So why is this adjustment important? It is hardly surprising that Massachusetts earned the honor of having the most members in our military. But few might know that with this documented revision that New York would be second on the list. It gives readers an indication of the commitment of the residents in each state toward the cause of liberty during the period. You learn that NY’s involvement represented approximately 20% of the total estimated participation of 200,000 men give or take. Even with the information provided there is cause to believe there were a great deal more men involved in the conflict based upon the records of pensions granted to members who were injured in the conflict whose names do not appear in any other records, indicating the original enlistment records were lost. Such is the case with NY.

Included in the first 25 pages or so of text are descriptions of war efforts, battles, conflicts with Indian tribes who were stirred up against the colonists by the Brits/loyalists, pay, rations, service requirements, attire, weapons, training and so forth. This quote was also very interesting – “Quakers, Moravians and United Brethren were enrolled, but exempted from service upon payment of money, which varied in amount as the war progressed until, in 1780, they were obliged to pay £160 per year.”

So some could legally buy their way out of serving. I guess money was tight and patriot lives were cheap for everybody else.

Another interesting quote relates to slaves – All slaves ‘killed in the service were to be paid for. In time of invasion, any slave, not in the military service, found one mile from his master’s abode, without a certificate from his master showing his business, might be ” shot or otherwise destroyed without fear of censure, impeachment or prosecution for the same.” In 1781, it was provided that any slave who should enlist and serve ” for three years, or until discharged,” should be declared a freeman of the State.

That might burst some holier than thou bubbles.

So, even if I am not a big fan of New York today as the state has clearly lost its way for quite some time and still creates millions of slaves of a different sort, I salute the commitment to the patriot cause of its forefathers. We will now turn our attention to one such Declaration signer. As we will learn, the cause of liberty was met with challenges, violence, death and misfortune for many; which included some of our founding fathers who we celebrate and thank today.

Phillip Livingston

Phillip Livingston was born in Albany, NY in 1716. He was the fourth surviving son of Phillip and Catherine Van Gogh Livingston. His father emigrated from Scotland and mother was Dutch. His father lived in the Albany area in 1673 and later owned a large rural estate as a 2nd Lord of the Manor, some 160,000 acres located along the Hudson River about 40 miles from Albany. He received the estate for his faithful service to the Brits in political appointments such as Secretary of Indian Affairs, in his fur and other trading activities as well as in his close associations with the Dutch due to their family’s background and ability to speak both languages. This established him into the aristocracy of the region and the estate was granted him by the royal governor for his efforts. The manor later became known as Clermont and was held by seven generations of the Livingston family until the year 2000. A photo and link about them and it is below.

https://www.friendsofclermont.org/the-livingstons

Young Phillip spent his time between his father’s Albany townhouse and the estate. He went on to Yale and graduated in 1737 before returning to begin a mercantile apprenticeship under his father. He served in clerkships in the Albany government before moving to New York City to begin a career in the import business trading in the West Indies. He was very successful through the years that followed and became wealthy. He made much money providing British military provisions, slave trading, and privateering. For those who do not know what privateering is; it is a government authorized form of pirating. The privateer was authorized to violently attack shipping interests, usually foreign, to seize the cargo on behalf of the government. They would split the goods and/or profits. In 1740 he married the daughter of a British Colonel, Christina Ten Broeck. They went on to have nine children together.

Phillip gave back to the region with his finances and time. He advocated for the founding of a school that is now Columbia University, for a Professorship of Divinity at Yale, helped in the building of the first meeting house for the Methodist Society of America, and helped organize the New York Public Library. He then entered public service as a New York City alderman. He served three terms on its Provincial Assembly. He was slow to join the independence movement, but over time he saw it as the right way as the oppressive British tax acts began accumulating. He was adamantly opposed to taxation without representation as he still considered himself to be a British citizen accorded all rights of the nation. He would be elected or chosen to positions within the Provincial Assembly only to meet British opposition and removal. Eventually, in 1769, the royal governor dissolved the city’s Assembly.

In response he became a member of the Committee of 51 that chose him as one of five delegates from the state to attend the First Continental Congress in 1775. At the same time he served as President of the New York State Provincial Assembly. He signed the Olive Branch Petition to try one last time to move the King away from his push for more control and taxes in the colonies. The King refused as we know. This led to the Declaration of Independence, which Phillip approved and signed on behalf of the state.

As a person Phillip could be gruff and irritable at times in his political and business dealings. However, he was known to be very kind and loving with family and friends. He was reserved and spent a great deal of time reading. He was a deacon and elder in the Dutch Reformed Church throughout his life.

However, like many wealthy mercantilists during the era he participated heavily in the slave trade and personally owned some for a number of years. There is a report that indicated he was involved in at least 15 shipping transactions of hundreds of slaves that were brought to the NYC area for sale. As another example, in one article there was discussion of him advertising and offering a reward for the return of his property, a slave who had escaped. This bit of history and other slave trading related accounts have often been deleted or glossed over in the many historical accounts of Phillip as well as other northern founding fathers.

I must interject here as I find what has been happening with the rewriting of history to be tragic. This series has been a real eye opener for me. There is no call for this type narrative based rewriting of history that I am seeing repeatedly. In my view it means the rewriters have ulterior and probably nefarious motives to do so. In regards to the subject of slavery, what was an acceptable and legal practice during that period in time is no longer so. Just observe, recognize the truth, and move on. Chalk it up as a wrong that has been righted.

The Livingston extended family were prominently involved throughout New York state and colonial government. Phillip’s first cousin, Robert, was even appointed to Chancellor of New York State, its highest judicial office. He was a framer of the Declaration of Independence and later administered the oath of office to George Washington as President. He served as Minister to France in negotiations for the Louisiana purchase in 1803. We must note that he and the other American negotiators figuratively struck gold on that one. Some twenty Livingston kin of Phillip served as officers in the Continental military. The family was patriot to the core.

Both Colonial and British forces occupied two of his homes in the city at various times, First, Gen. Washington used one as his headquarters before the colonists lost battles around the city, at which time the Brits used it to house military members as well as his second home as a hospital. Phillip and his family fled from the fighting to their home in Kingston, NY. When this happened his slaves escaped and some were thought to have joined the British forces to later earn their freedom. The Brits eventually burned all of the town of Kingston to the ground. The family escaped again back to the safety of their native Albany area.

Phillip was chosen as a state senator while remaining a member of the Continental Congress. In fact, he served up to the actual day of his death while working in the same assembly in 1778. He died from the long term effects of dropsy (edema) at age 62. Members of the Continental Congress attended his funeral and there was an official one month mourning period. He is buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery in York, PA. The prominence and dedication of both Phillip and his cousin, Robert, are noted with several memorials in Washington, DC. With the British destruction he had lost most all of his properties and holdings while still having debts owed from his estate. The sale and repayment took nearly 25 years to resolve. His wife, Christina, remained in the Albany area surrounded and cared for by family for the rest of her life. She lived to the age of 82.

Phillip Livingston gave all he had for his country, family and friends. His family legacy was faithfully served by his efforts as well. We have great appreciation for this patriot founding father.

Please remember Wolf’s rules for our community. In general that means to be respectful to each other and to pull no shenanigans that your mom might find offensive or otherwise cause jail time. That said, free speech is honored here.

Be blessed and go make something good happen!