Letter to Governor Mario Cuomo

Public Advocate Omar Dyer is now asking NY's Governor Mario Cuomo to reconsider his (BAN) on what he calls Special Interest Groups, (Elected Leaders) and Public Advocates. Saying, a full out ban isn't the solution—tough legislation is the solution, whereas a full out ban is political discrimination.

Dear Governor Mario Cuomo
From Public Advocate Omar Dyer

I don't see the importance to this legislation (where you are banning lobbyist and public advocates or special interest) -- it really doesn't make sense. You can’t ban the growth of business opportunities because a selected few don't see eye to eye. Banning non-paid public advocates from setting up public firms, and creating innovation; plus participating with government on technology—isn't the approach to winning the future.

Sure pay to play comes abroad but the best way to rule out pay to play— is to force appointed, elected; or lobbyist to fully disclose their intentions, on why they are lobbying or advocating for funds. Like for instance, if a scientist invented the latest creation in solar panels, and government steals that inventor’s idea—who is to pay that inventor. Not the lobbyist, they are banned by political leaders with agendas, not the elected official—they want campaign donations. The only ones that grant patents are government agencies, and the only way to get funding from a government agency is to be an advocate, elected leader, or a registered lobbyist.

So the best way to deal with them is to have them disclose their intentions, and disclose how much they will be paid for helping. You just can't ban something because you disagree with them. We fought the Revolutionary War to allow farmers and inventors, that basic right to sell their information to government. And have government repay them for their indentured service, and this country is no-longer free, labor is a show of life.

A full out ban on these basic services, will make attorney generals, and court appointed lawyers more frustrated with cases that are over whelming because scientist or others couldn’t afford the price tag at the bank. And imagine a scientist going to a bank with an idea, and no basic help. That scientist will be turned away at the door, and his idea maybe stolen. The role of a Governor is to encourage business, scientist and artist to explore and engage in arts. And have their ideas protected by someone who knows the system. Manly a lobbyist or a public advocate, and to ban what you call special interest groups, when federal law requires, a non-profit, business, publicly owned private companies to have a registered lobbyist, or advocate on their staff if they want to sell their products, or engage in commerce; is certainly bad business. And as a public advocate for the people, I will take on a challenge that bans business. I am not afraid of tough rules and regulations, but I am totally against full bans. A ban on something is political discrimination period, and I will fight that no matter who is in charge—where ever these types of discrimination take place.