| After sitting in the Council chamber for five hours on Thursday, I had to leave, and missed when my name was called (two and a half hours later). I returned on Friday, and sat for another five hours before, lo and behold! my name was called.
By then, I had discarded my prepared text in favor of a few talking points. One (for now) was particularly important to the general argument, because I believe I'm the only one who has made this point.
Mayor Bloomberg's #1 talking point is "choice." He claims that term limits deprive voters of choice. He's wrong, and nobody else is challenging him on that fact.
First of all, voters made a choice in 1996. We chose two terms over three terms. If the Council switches to three terms, they are overriding the voters' choice. |
| Second, and closer to Bloomberg's real claim, is that adding a third term will not add to our choices, but subtract from them. More incumbents will run for reelection, and there will be fewer open seats. Everyone in politics knows that an open seat attracts more candidates than an incumbent running for reelection. The more open seats there are, therefore, the more choices the voters will have.
Unfortunately, Peter Vallone, Jr. was not in the chamber when I testified, so he didn't get to hear my thanks for the "gift" he unwittingly gave me. Earlier in the day he mentioned (as Queens BP Helen Marshall had testified) that he would not run against her next year if she runs for a third term. This week, Audrey Pheffer mentioned at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon that she too would not challenge Marshall. Clearly, then, if a third term is added, I will have fewer choices for BP.
For Mayor, there will also be fewer choices. Michael Bloomberg would run, but Christine Quinn (remember her?) would not. In addition, the two rich Republicans who are planning a run would certainly drop out, and Bill Thompson would probably not be far behind. Clearly, we would have fewer choices for Mayor.
The list goes on and on.
The point is not really the facts about "choice." It's about the fact that Mayor Bloomberg's chief talking point is a lie. If he has to lie, then his entire foundation crumbles, and he has nothing to support his contention that the Council should overturn the choice of the people.
Spread the word. Council members to target include: Arroyo, Brewer, Gerson, Gonzalez, Katz, Lappin, McMahon, Monserrate, Oddo, Sanders, Vallone and Yassky. We need a majority of those twelve (seven, to be exact) to defeat the Mayor's power grab. You can find out who your Council member is, and get contact info, at the Council's website. |
