Giff Learns How Taxpayers Feel
October 18, 2003 -- This just in: Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg is endorsing a Republican for City Council.
How dare he? Democrats are grousing. What could he be thinking?
Why would Dems complain about a Republican endorsing one of his own?
Because, for one thing, the GOPer he's backing is Jennifer Arangio, a young pol trying to unseat another young (and ambitious) pol - Democratic City Council Speaker Gifford Miller.
Miller not only wants to be re-elected, he wants to be mayor (if not president - or God).
Plus, Hizzoner vowed to support Dems, such as Miller, who backed his tax hike.
New Yorkers can be forgiven for forgetting Mayor Mike is a GOPer. After all, he became one only a year before the 2001 election - and only because he thought it the best way to become mayor.
Back then, Bloomberg did sound some traditionally Republican notes - such as on the dangers of raising taxes.
But no sooner was he elected than he rammed huge tax hikes down the throats of every New Yorker - including an 18.5 percent property-tax hike.
Needless to say, New Yorkers are furious - and not just at him, but also at the City Council members who agreed to it.
At the time, Hizzoner promised to "support" any councilmember who voted for the hike. So his endorsement of Arangio is being called a double-cross.
But if Dems feel betrayed, imagine how taxpayers feel.
The fact is, if Bloomberg is serious about controlling the budget process, he needs more than the three Republicans now serving on the 51-person council.
He (not to mention Gotham) needs folks who can see beyond the usual tax-and-spend response to every budget woe.
Maybe he's starting to understand this.
In any case, Gotham could sure use some real "diversity" among its leaders.
Posted by admin at October 18, 2003 12:00 AM
