so Bloomberg Can Run Again?
As Mayor Bloomberg has announced that he will seek to loosen restrictions that would make it impossible for him to run for another term of office, we want to know what you think. Take our poll and/or add your comments; also see recent talks given by Bloomberg on Thirteen Forum.
Hearings begin at City Hall at 1:00 pm, 10/16/2008, over the controversial plan to extend term limits, overturning two voter referendums. Mayor Bloomberg claims a third term is essential for the city during this dire financial crisis. What do you think?
How do you feel about term limits in general? Let us know in the comments at the bottom of this post.
also see the results from a similar poll run two weeks ago at Gotham Gazette.
watch segment from the 10-16-2008 broadcast:
More on Bloomberg from Thirteen:
Land Use:
Mayor Bloomberg addresses the “Thinking Big for NYC” Conference on issues such as land use, from Nov. 1, 2007. Watch keynote speech.Green Issues:
Mayor Bloomberg participates in a panel discussion entitled “How Green is My City?”, which took place in January 2008. Watch discussion.
Education:
See how education has fared under Bloomberg’s leadership from 2002 to 2004, in a timeline of education changes in NY. See info.
Bloomberg is a arrogant, monotone tyrant, with a shiny veneer, who lives to tell other people what to do. First, he thought about being president; next, governor, now a three term mayor. He uses his billions to influence the media, stifle critics, and to buy support. Just a few short months ago, he spoke against abolishing term limits. Now that he sees that other political offices are not viable options, he’s decided that term limits should go and he has enlisted his billionaire friends to help him get his way. It’s time for Bloomie to return to private life again.
While I am a registered democrat and would normally be adverse to deviating from the legally established 2-term limits, I can see no one on the local political horizon that is better equipped to guide New York City through the rough economically challenging years that lie ahead of us all. In my view he is truly the right man at the right time and it would be extremely foolish of the voters of this great city to not take advantage of his expertise.
I agree with #2/Rob.
Bloomber has succombed to the the addication of power as do most leaders. He thinks that he is indispensible which is the same outlook that so many politicians disguise their addication to themselves as well as the public. Their should be term limits for all of them.
with all due respect,i must say this is a travesty,at the very least.mayor bloomberg has shown himself to be a hypocrite,by reversing his posture with regards to term limits.with the collapse of wall street,which occurred under the mayors watch,the
smokescreen disguising the thievery,and greed of the mayors cronies,has been exposed.he wants to remain because they need him to assist in further robbery of
the masses,and to keep their golden parachutes,and extensive bonuses they give to themselves.further,there was a article in the ny times today,stating the mayor was in california,trying to block a proposition,that would allow re-districting in the state of ca,something that would give the current people in office,longer terms.this to me shows what a hypocrite he really is.
how can he be against this in california,yet in new york,he wants to extend his own tenure?this obscenity
of a third term for the mayor,will further undermine
democracy,and continue to run poor people/people of
color,out of the city.decent people we must stop this
power grab,before its too late.
Why should we let term limits make it impossible to elect probably the most qualified individual with a proven record of success in governing this nearly “un-governable” city of ours?
Term limits were spearheaded by the Republican Lauder in hope that they would result in unseating Democratic incumbents.
Fortunately for the most part the seats have remained Democratic with the one benefit of limiting Giuliani’s reign. They are unnecessary in a Democracy and that includes the 2 term limit on presidents (another Republican scheme).
Bloomberg is power hungry,arrogant man. Term limits was put to the vote twice and twice the people of the City approved this. Pushing to overturn the vote(s) at this time is highly ironic, right before a Federal election where the motto is, “Every Vote Counts.”grab by the mayor (and the Council people, most of whom would then keep their jobs)It is ironic that this move to overturn the will of the people comes right before a Federal election, where one universal motto is “Every Vote Counts.”
If Bloomberg is so smart, let him leave office and offer his services as an economic consultant to the next leader.
Bloomberg is power hungry,arrogant man. Term limits was put to the vote twice and twice the people of the City approved this. Pushing to overturn the vote(s) at this time is highly ironic, right before a Federal election where one universl motto is “Every Vote Counts.”
If Bloomberg is so smart, let him leave office and offer his services as an economic consultant to the next leader.
Term limits are put in for a reason, as they were for the presidency after FDR’s four terms. George Washington saw the danger of remaining in office too long, and refused to run for a third term as president. That precedent was followed for about 150 years, and it served the country well. The same should hold true for New York City. Give someone else a chance.
Mayor Bloomberg is obviously enjoying being Mayor of New York, is doing a good job, and is very popular. Most New Yorkers like him, as I do, even though I’m a retired school teacher and am not so sure the mayor did a good thing when he took control of the schools away from the Board of Education. The Board was doing quite well with any students who WANTED to learn.
Anyway, we know our Mayor is incorruptible because he is a wealthy man. He has a nice sense of humor, and a pleasant personality. I don’t think arrogance has anything to do with his desire to be Mayor for another four years. He likes the job and thinks he can do his beloved New York City good by staying on. He is not interested in becoming a king. He just wants to stay on during these difficult times for one more term. I have no doubt that if a popular vote were taken, an overwhelming majority of New Yorkers would say, “Sure, Mr. Mayor, stay on for another four years. You add to the charm of New York.” I don’t understand why a few people are getting so upset about the Mayor wanting to stay on for another term. We certainly have nothing to fear from him.
By all means, stay on, Mr. Mayor!
Sincerely,
George Garfield
Term limit are the only way to overcome the power of incumbency. When 96% of incumbents are reelected democracy is a fantasy. Incumbency w/o tem limits inevitably leads to corruption. Furtyher in the case of the NYC Council all will benefit from this proposed change.. a clear conflict of interest.
I think it was an unconstitutional law in the first place. Let voters decide on their representatives. Plus he’s done a good job! The stats about representatives don’t really apply to chief exectives, either.
this poll question are being steer for more yes total percentage. There are only two question in favor to no vs. three questions in favor for yes.
This poll is flawed
The City Council does not have the right to overturn two votes by the people of New York in favor of term-limits. What is the purpose or sense to our voting if the City Council can overturn our votes at their leisure and at Mayor Bloomberg’s whim, since he was, if fact, in favor of term-limits before it affected him directly? If I understand correctly, this move would also possibly extend all of the City Council Member’s terms, too. If this is true and they all buy into this deal, shame, shame, shame!
Mayor Bloomberg wants us to believe that this move would ensure continuity during this major financial crisis. The fact is, this financial crisis evolved during his watch, so what does that say about his current leadership or its benefit to us in the future? The only real reality check in this move is that it, once again, reinforces the fact that if you are rich and powerful in this town, as are Michael Bloomberg and his buddy, Ronald Lauder, you can do anything you want and get away with it. Term Limits Rule!!! Say No To Michael Bloomberg!!!
WE THE PEOPLE SHOULD DECIDE If we decided twice for term limits why should the City Council vote on this where they can benefit from it also. This will be a new road for changes like this to occurr. That means the constitution may be changed to allow the President of the United States to be in office for life not giving others the opportunity to get into office also.
New Yorkers have spoken TWICE. We will speak again, by voting all of these corrupt self-serving politicians out of office. Maybe then they will get the hint. We have no business calling the governments of Russia and China corrupt regimes when so many of our own politicians are not in office to serve the people as they should be doing, but only there to serve themselves. This is a sad day for New York City to see this going on and the rest of the world is laughing at us.
Mayor Koch and Guiliani also wanted to extend their term. Both of them were denied. What makes Bloomberg so special.
To have the council vote to change the law over the wishes of the voters is rediculous. This sends a horrible message to voters in the city and the nation.
The power of incombency is one of the main reasons for term limits in the first. bloomberg also have the advantage of being able to dole out financial favors to different constituents that the other politicians running for office don’t have.
True public servnants will find other ways to contribute like former president Carter who does work building homes and monitoring elections. Bloomberg can help the president elect deal with the massive financial meltdown.
We have a term limits law - it called elections. That’s where we throw out all the politicians we want to. Term limits only get rid of the politicians we want to keep.
Term limits can be effective in getting rid of “dead wood”, however that can be at the expense of dismissing experienced effective civil servants.
The voters should decide in an election. If you like the candidate vote for them, if not then don’t.
The question here what is the will of the people? If term limits were decided 12 years ago, what do the people feel today. Isn’t an election always the will of the people? No one mandates that you vote for the incumbent.
Finally,someone asks the question! It’s outrageous & arrogant. I’ve been expecting this nonsense to come out of the Whitehouse ever since Bush took office - and I’m not sure we’re done with him yet either. This is another Republican ploy, like redistricting -these people simply do not want to share power; even after they’ve flubbed it. How arrogant to think that out of millions of Americans in New York City he (Bloomberg)is the only one with a big enough brain. There should be term limits on congressional seats as well; both on the state wide & the federal level. The whole notion that Republicans spend less than Democrats & want to control our lives less than Democrats is a fabrication as well. (The money just goes into their pockets instead of the publics’). If Bloomberg was so great & so unlike a Democrat he wouldn’t have to freeze spending in New York, mandate what you eat & tax what you smoke. The Republicans have been chipping steadily away at the foundations of democracy in this country for forty years. Not sharing power prevents us from getting to the center, which is where moderation & sanity lies. Do people really believe they can live in a peaceful & orderly society without paying any taxes? Do they believe they can work forever without requiring health care or retirement? That is what the Republicans would have us believe; and Bloomberg is no different. People have to stop believing that one politician or another alone can save our lives; democracy is a collective adventure. Vote Nov.4th!
We already HAVE term limits - it’s called an election. This is such a phony issue. Citizens should have the right to retain their representatives if they want, as well as get rid of those they don’t want. I can think of some very special people in Congress whose judgment and wisdom we benefitted from over time - Fullbright, Kennedy, Humphrey, as well as others. It’s us, the voters, who have to be vigilant and EXERCISE our vote to get rid of the non-productive ones. But a less-than 50% voter participation rate indicates that we’re just not exercising that right/privilege responsibly. Then we think that term-limits will make it even easier for us - heck, in two terms they’ll be gone anyway, why even vote!
P.S. Just as the economy around the U.S. & the world has practically collapsed under the nonsensical pre-depression era economic philosophy of laissez faire and the Republican policy of deregulation, so would go the destruction of term limits; amounting to deregulation of political rivalry on a grand scale. Whether people exercise their right to vote or not is a separate issue. Democracy, in this country today is under attack, and nothing should be implemented that would cause it further destruction. People like Kennedy, et al. could have served this country very well as bureaucrats or advisors when their terms had expired. This country is loaded with brilliant & compassionate people. As it stands right now, in order to keep them in office they are constantly compromising the issues while being feted by lobbyists, and wind up spending half their time re-campaigning to get reelected. (We desperately need election reform). Bloomberg, by the way, is an adherent of the very policies that have enriched him while simultaneously making our hard earned dollars disappear. I didn’t hear him ringing any alarm bells.
I think this mayor has been ok.. As a rent stabilized tenant I would like to see a reversal of
the pro landlord rules put in during his time in office– the basic city services have been kept up– ie garbage ..I like this. I would like to see liberal socialism in action- enough of the republicans
WHO CARES ABOUT TERM LIMITS. IF YOU DON’T LIKE A CANDIDATE GO TO THE POLLS AND VOTE HIM/HER OUT. WE DO HAVE CHOICES YOU KNOW.
I didn’t vote for the 2 term limit but I respect the law on this matter. However we are in very difficult economic situation.Wall Street is one of the engines of this city. Lots of people and busineses are directly and indirectly damaged by this melt down and “greedy behavor” of the management of these so called prestigous organizations Mayor Bloomberg is probably the best person around to lead us into better times. He was the man who took over after the attack on New York. I think he’s a better businessman than a politican. He took a lot of heat in the early part of his administration but he followed through on his best judgement. That’s what is needed now, good judgement. I don’t see anyone in the “political world” that has the breath and depth of knowledge of this Mayor.
perhaps the time of leaving your LIVELIHOOD and serving the People thence returning to your LIVELIHOOD whence you have finished your admiral job has been replaced by a notion ofPolitician professional an actual livelihood to aspire too? Run again with a peoples referendum is the democratic way. the crisishowever is debatable.
The entire City Council was thrown out when term limits were voted in (with the exception of the one member who had just been elected and who therefore became President of the City Council. He was also thrown out at the end of his two terms). Now that the time has come for the members who were elected as a result of term limits to leave, they want to change the law. Can you blame them? As for Bloomberg, he has not been offered any important post in the next Administration so there is nowhere for him to go. And of course no one has a chance to run against his money. Who can afford it?
It would be great to have Bloomberg in another term to help bring the City during through this financial crisis as I believe that he would be quite capable of doing so. (Not that he’s the only one that could.) HOWEVER, we are a nation (and hopefully, City) of laws, not “men.”
A compromise may be in order. What may help is to limit officeholders to two CONSECUTIVE terms. That way you can minimize the advantages of incumbency without overly restricting voters’ freedom of choice.
In principle I do NOT favor term limits. However to change the limits imposed to favor an incumbent is wrong. I think that term limits ought be be overruled but should NOT effect a current officeholder like Mayor Bloomberg.
I’ve worked for the City of New York over 20 years. Bloomberg rises head and shoulders above any other mayor I have worked under. He has done more than any other mayor to improve services to New Yorkers. The City government is more open, accessible and transparent than it has ever been. His management acumen and fiscal experience are what the City needs now. I supported term limits so that the City could rid itself of the political hacks in office at the time and to curtail the political machines that put back door dealing above the needs of citizens, which is exactly what the City will return to if the likes of William Thompson or others are elected Mayor. If it had been left to those political machines, Bloomberg would have never been allowed to run. Bloomberg is a gem we need to hold onto. Just like the nation extended FDR’s term limits because of the Great Depression and WWII, we need to extend Bloomberg’s.
i belive that bloombergs term limits should expire because throught his econmic crisis that the city of newyork is going through is unbelivibally bad, in that case i belive that we could use some fresh blood on this part. these are difficult times for everybody, even kids, they wont get everything they want this year.Im not saying that bloomberg does not do a good job, but let him runn again and iif there is not a better person that the state knows will do a good and better job than him then bring bloomberg back and let him work out what ever he has to.America is spending mor money than they can print, this is what puts the weight on the sholder.
Considering Mayor Bloomberg’s recent remarks on proportionality in the killings in Gaza and Israel, my resolve that this backward thinking man is not the right fit for a city in economic crisis. The 9/11 terrorists were also not thinking of proportionality when they attacked the World Trade Center. His thinking is the mindset of bullies and terrorists. Mayor Bloomberg should go quietly into his own personal good night and leave the future to more open minded, forward thinking visionaries.