New Yorkers Coming Together To Cut The Fat

I knew we’d reach diminishing returns after VH1 ran that 100 greatest hard rock songs thing all weekend:

Gov. David A. Paterson delivered his first State of the State address to the Legislature on Wednesday, an often sobering message that came as thousands of union members gathered in freezing rain outside the Capitol to protest his proposed budget cuts.

. . .

As Mr. Paterson began his speech in the lofty chamber of the State Assembly just after 1 p.m., thousands of protesters from labor unions were gathered on the Capitol’s eastern steps, wearing union-issued yellow or blue ski caps against the cold. Speaker after speaker criticized Mr. Paterson for proposing to take back portions of raises that were granted to state workers last year, and for refusing to raise taxes on the wealthy to help balance the state budget.

They raised signs advising “Cut the Waste, Not the Workers” and, in one case, “Sell the Rug” — a reference to reports that in July the state bought several antique rugs for the Executive Mansion, at a cost of nearly $40,000.

“Hey hey, ho ho, Paterson’s budget has got to go,” shouted Kenneth Brynien, the president of the Public Employees Federation and one of the rally’s speakers.

With that, someone cued up the Twisted Sister anthem “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” which blasted over the loudspeakers and echoed around the plaza.

. . .

Asked if there was anything in the address that concerned him, [Long Island Republican Dean G.] Skelos replied, somewhat archly, “I learned an awful lot about child obesity in the governor’s speech.”