There have been a lot of angry comments on my blogs inquiring about who I am, “who pays my way”, and why I blog on the Patch. I decided that it would be appropriate to shed light on some of these concerns.
First some background information. I come from a working class family. My father was a blue collar construction worker; my mother sacrificed and dedicated her life to raising me and my younger brother by being a stay at home mom (which I believe is way more than a full time job!). Importantly, my humble and devoted parents taught me the important lesson; to not only live within your means but below them. Neither of my parents nor relatives are active in any political organizations or committees. I happened upon politics by looking to make my community better.
I went to SUNY Albany on a partial academic scholarship, received a private scholarship, and took out Stafford loans to pay for the rest. I worked in retail throughout college, both in Albany during the school year and back in Rockland when I returned. I also am first generation college educated.
After an internship at the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and graduating Cum Laude with a double major in English Honors ( I wrote an undergraduate honors thesis) and Women’s Studies, I joined the AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) Program in Westchester County. I earned a small stipend, I think around $9,000 for the year, and was awarded a little under $2,000 to go towards my student loans. During my time in AmeriCorps, I learned how to write grants and received successful funding for numerous programs targeted to help youth and homeless people. After the year ended, I applied for jobs in Rockland and was hired by a local nonprofit. About a year into that job, I joined the Young Democrats, and rose up the ranks. See being involved in politics did not get me a job, my hard work and determination did.
While working full time, I attend graduate school part time at Marist College. This December, I will be graduating with a Masters Degree in Public Administration. I currently have a 3.973 GPA. Ironically, the only class that I didn’t earn in an “A” in was Politics and Policy which I achieved a grade of “A-”. Again, I received a small academic scholarship and used savings and loans to pay for the rest. Fortunately, I was eligible to finance my education through interest subsidized Stafford Loans.
And yes, I will be traveling, as a delegate, to the Democratic National Convention but there is no nefarious deal that has afforded me the ability to do so. When I found out a couple months ago that I would be a delegate, I started to budget. I shopped around and found the lowest cost flight available. While in Charlotte, I am staying with other young Democrats to offset the cost of the hotel room. The week that I will be out of work will be taken as vacation time, something I believe most of us have in our jobs. So to answer one reader’s question, I, me Joe, am paying my way.
So why do I blog on the Patch?
As Audre Lorde said, “I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood.”
I know that there are some of you that “misunderstand” “or look to “bruise” my words. That is fine. I know I’m not going to change your minds. What I do know is that there is a silent majority who are more progressive than you think. Since starting my blog, I have received Facebook messages and comments from strangers thanking me for sharing my perspective.
Second, I am comfortable speaking my truth and I decided to share my opinions with my community in this forum. I stand by and choose my words carefully. And I do have an agenda (as I think most of you do as well). To reacquaint yourselves to my agenda please see a past blog post:
And most importantly, I write for those who are intimidated by the vitriol that comes from the conservative right, those who are forced to be silent, and those who are harmed and oppressed by the (neo) conservative policies and beliefs I oppose.
So contrary to what conspiracies are out there, I am not wealthy, do not have PhD and am not bought by any political party or person. I am a caring, working class, young professional who is trying to make our world a little better.
Be on the look out for my next post, which I hope to write while I am at the DNC next week. And thanks for reading!
I too grew up in poverty. My father worked on a linen loom in Belfast, Ireland. My grandfather couldn't read or write. I roamed the streets in one of the catholic/protestant gangs trying to say alive. I was the first person in my family to go to University. My father never owned a home. I support those who are poor and economically at a disadvantage as do you. I asked you to speak to some of my concerns about behaviors that will prevent young people like you from reaching your dreams. I will ask you again. The political process may be corrupted by manipulation of party lines by minor parties who do not run candidates, or appear to have any objective except to get patronage jobs and pull strings of power behind the scenes. http://newcity.patch.com/blog_posts/puppet-on-a-string http://nanuet.patch.com/articles/patronage-alive-and-well-in-clarkstown http://newcity.patch.com/blog_posts/clarkstown-and-africa-friends-and-phone-calls Young people should stand against such practices or we will continue to have a one party system controlled by those who fill smoke-filled rooms. Here is an example of such behavior http://www.rocklandtimes.com/2012/08/09/house-of-horrors/ and when the Journal News writes an editorial like this you know something is wrong. http://www.lohud.com/article/20120823/OPINION/308230035/Editorial-Clarkstown-puts-political-clout-before-all-else-hiring-Frank-Sparaco Give me your views on the above.
Instead of writing a blog might I suggest that you and your Young Republican colleague, Michael Peterson, agree to debate/discuss the issue of minor parties as part of the dialog that you invited Peterson to join? If the two of you are willing I am sure I can find an organization to host the event such as the Bardonia Civic Association, the Clarkstown Taxpayers, etc and advertise the debate to the general public and particularly to young people. Who knows if it is highly successful we might make it a quarterly event with a single issue discussed at each event and if we can bring in a lot of young people to listen to the discussions then the future of our democracy will be secure. Why don't you and Peterson talk about this idea and let me know.
Coe's failure to respond to perhaps the single most important issue for bringing all levels of government to its knees, the collusion of the 4 political parties to control the election process through political patronage, is very telling. Joe could have used his lengthy Blog to address these real concerns but instead uses the space for an unrequested personal biography and to attack those whose views are different with sound bites like "neo-conservative vitriol". Along the way, claiming that his sole purpose in life is to bring people together. May I suggest to Mr. Coe that taxpayers have a right to be "angry" at the current state of affairs as our County is at the brink of bankruptcy and if current policies continue, our Towns are not far behind, brought there primarily as a result of the issues highlighted by Michael Hull in his Blogs. If you plan to be a factor through your own blogs, you will have to address these issues and not hide behind your own sound bites.
I applaud you for being honest, but by using "my truth" you reveal yourself as as truly partisan person you are. I was taught that there is only one truth and that is based on facts. I think you confuse truth with political rhetoric. You have come to belive what the media and politicians feed you as truth is real. Use your own God given intelligence and do due dilligence to uncover the truth.
"If you've got a business -- you didn't build that," he continued. "Somebody else made that happen. The Internet didn't get invented on its own. Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the internet. The point is, is that when we succeed, we succeed because of our individual initiative, but also because we do things together. There are some things, just like fighting fires, we don't do on our own." Clearly when he said if you have a business you didn't build that he was talking about the roads and bridges he had just mentioned in the previous sentence and the internet which he mentioned in the following sentence. You most likely never saw the full context and I don't blame you because no media outlet accurately reported it, but here it is for you in black and white