Posted on 10/12/2008 12:26:50 AM PDT by neverdem
Unimpressed by Charles de Gaulle's droll observation that the graveyards are full of indispensable men, Michael Bloomberg, New York City's 108th mayor, has decided that he is indispensable. So the law limiting mayors to two terms must be revised to allow three terms.
"It's not that anyone is indispensable," said Bloomberg when announcing that the term-limits law, which was enacted by referendum and then reaffirmed by a second referendum, is an intolerable impediment to his continuing as mayor for another four years in what he calls "tough times." He was referring to Wall Street's troubles, which will shrink the city government's revenue. But the times were always in some ways tough for each of Bloomberg's 107 predecessors.
Advocates of term limits argue neither that political talent is...
--snip--
Bloomberg's supporters say that term limits are undemocratic -- but also that the City Council should alter the limits (which apply to council members) by statute rather than submit the change to a public referendum. To the charge that term limits are undemocratic, the answer, in Palinspeak, is, "You betcha." That is, they are as undemocratic as, say, the First Amendment, which begins with the most lovely five words in the English language -- "Congress shall make no law." The amendment lists some things that the people's elected representatives cannot do even if the people want them done, such as abridge freedom of speech or legislate the establishment of religion...
--snip--
"Make no mistake about it," Bloomberg said when announcing his intention to revise the law without seeking the permission of the public that enacted it. "I still think term limits are a good thing." Just not for him, not now, in these "tough times." Yet again, the political class's reaction to term limits is a powerful, indeed sufficient, argument for them.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Does anyone care about what George Will thinks?
But two terms limits was okay for Rudy and Bloomberg wouldn’t even here of putting it off the election for a few months after 9/11. Bloomberg is an arrogant CLYMER!
These people are too smart for me .
does bloomberg care what anyone thinks?
In a sane world, Mayor Bloomberg would be back home in Bermuda in January 2010. The metrosexual morons of Manhattan love him, because they think he is the only thing that comes between their little yuppie theme park and the thuggocracy coming in from central Brooklyn and da Bronx to kick their asses.
It depends on the subject. I can't stand Bloomberg. But what if the alternative is Charles Barron or someone equally toxic? NYC's choices are bad news.
I finally stopped watching ABC This Week with him on as the
“conservative” voice against Stephanopolus and 3 other liberals.
Newsweek is another worthless plublication where his editorials appear. He used to be good during the Reagan era.
Maybe George Will needs to be term limited..
Does anyone read Newsweek these days?
Mediocrity and arrogance appear to be closely related.
Obama will be attempting the same think in ‘16.
Palinspeak! George Will, you son aof a bi-ch!
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