.in the sweater's off duty.

I don't think Michael Bloomberg is a bad man. I don't think he's necessarily a bad mayor. Is he the best? No. Actually, thinking back and reading up on my New York history, none of them have been that great. Sure, they've all had areas that they improved on, but usually at the expense of others.

Those not in New York might not realize it's a huge topic here but nobody here is really talking about it. Mostly because it arises so much passion on each side that no one wants to alienate their friends, neighbors, relatives, etc. The weirdest part, at least to me, is that it doesn't cut down party lines, or socio-economical lines or race lines or anything - it's like this new uncharted territory. Although New Yorkers have voted against it....twice, this time is apparently different. Well, not really. Just Bloomberg saying it's not that he wants to stay, it's that we need him to stay. We do?

To a city that is home to 8 million people his most well known "achievements" have been banning smoking mostly everywhere, encouraging recycling and bicycling, and banning trans fats. A city of 8 million! This is stuff that works in a commune on a farm in Vermont - not New York. Sure, I think they're sort of cool - that he's trying to make New York a more healthy and eco-friendly city but imposing taxes that forces addicted smokers to cough up (pun!) $10 a pack is not helping anyone - it's making it a government run state similar to some sort of dystopian. Have you seen how expensive those drugs to help you quit are?!? Banning trans fats is sort of stupid. I know you can educate people on this stuff and there is just so much an advertising campaign can accomplish but it just seems...wrong to force this down our throats (pun #2!).

At first I didn't care what each representative in the city thought of term limits because I honestly thought that it would go to vote. That maybe it would make it on the ballot for this Tuesday. But it didn't. This morning, it was passed; allowing Bloomberg to run again. I guess it would be a good time for people to come against it and vote against him when the time comes. But they won't. Each of the prospective candidates that would have run next year are on the city council and not one of them would go up against Bloomberg. You'd have to be an idiot and say goodbye to your future career in New York politics. So next year, Bloomberg will invest in millions to "campaign" and plead with us why it's so important for him to stay in office. He will win and will “lead” this city for another term.

I'm against changing the rules for yourself (I’d like to no longer pay taxes, I’ll write that down, thanks!) I'm against not asking the people. I'm against forcing those people between a rock and hard place. I'm against three term mayors. I'm against blatant disrespect for the rules (mmm...what other powerful American politican did this and has yet to get in trouble...mmmm).

In the years since he's been mayor (and yeah I haven't been here even half of it) rents and the cost of living has soared but, yes, crime rates have declined (jeez, I come from Baltimore, comparatively, they're practically non-existent). To me, and I think most people, those are to two most important issues to a New Yorker. Shelter and protection. The cost of living in New York is the highest in the United States and the 22nd in the world (Moscow is oddly, at least to me, the most expensive). Rent in most places this year has slightly gone down but the cost of a Harlem (the cheapest place to live in Manhattan) studio per month is $1,278.

The average person in the United States spends 1/4 of their income on housing. In New York it's been estimated at 3/4. That person in Harlem who has to pay let's say about $3,800 a year in basic utilities and services (heating, AC, cable/internet/phone, MTA – to get to their job) would have to make ~$19k a year just to cover their cost of living. In the average world that person should be making $76k a year. In the magical fucked up-ness of New York living, that person is making $25k. (These are my calculations and I'm at work, so I apologize if they're slightly off - I like rounding up/down as well).

Harlem's population is about 118,000. Michael Bloomberg's personal wealth has risen $8.5 billion this year to an estimated $20 billion making him the 8th richest American. Bloomberg, with his earnings from this year alone could give every resident in Harlem $72,033. Every resident in Manhattan $5,247. Every resident of New York City $1,027. And every resident of the metro area $430. And he'd still have $11.5 billion left to his name.

So if you think trickle down economics is good and that Obama’s “spreading the wealth” is bad. Move to 125th Street my friend.

This is the biggest reason I’m against Bloomberg. He talks nice (a little nasally) and looks nice and has a nice story but I’m sorry, I think he’s done jack squat for most New Yorkers. I think he’s ignored Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island . Manhattan’s borough president is Scott Stringer. He doesn’t have to worry about Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island. The mayor of New York….does. New York City is not the Upper East Side or the Financial District. It’s Woodside, Riverdale, Elmhurst, Fox Hills Bed-Stuy, Coney Island, Morningside Heights, Astoria, Long Island City, Grasmere, Roosevelt Island, Bedford Park, Fordham, Flatbush, Pigtown, Woodlawn and Rockaway Park.

So ask yourself again Mayor Bloomberg, are you ready to lead this city, this entire city for another term and commit yourself the bettering of this city and its people? If you have just one doubt in your mind I ask you to think again.

Sources: here, here, and here (there are others, I'll post them when I can)