Learn it! Speak it! Live it!
Bring Christmas to a child in need!
An 'urgency': Sensing threats to institutions of society, church leaders make declaration 
Click to Print
Include Comments
Bloomberg’s announcement!
Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, has an op-ed in the Times that appears to be an announcement to run independently for president. Of the current candidates, he says,
They must know we can’t fix our economy and create jobs by isolating America from global trade. They must know that we can’t fix our immigration problems with border security alone. They must know that we can’t fix our schools without holding teachers, principals and parents accountable for results. They must know that fighting global warming is not a costless challenge. And they must know that we can’t keep illegal guns out of the hands of criminals unless we crack down on the black market for them.
And just when this gets good, just when you think Bloomberg can steal everyone’s partisan thunder:
I believe that an independent approach to these issues is essential to governing our nation – and that an independent can win the presidency. I listened carefully to those who encouraged me to run, but I am not – and will not be – a candidate for president.
Still, this thing is cryptic, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this wasn’t his bid to be the next vice president.
back to top21 Comments to “Bloomberg’s announcement!”
He will Ross Perot, albeit sans the big ears and folksy barnyard aphorisms
Report comment to moderator
Bloomberg wrote: “I believe that the candidate who recognizes that the party is over — and begins enlisting all of us to clean up the mess — will be the winner this November, and will lead our country to a great and boundless future.”
I believe this is true — especially the first clause. The people are bent out of shape, and the person who is honest and says the party is over instead of trying to win people/groups with promises will get the votes. The people see that there are big, big problems, and they are looking for someone who admits that and is willing to cut spending and stop favoring one group over another.
We have these problems in NJ. Despite the fact that the state is overwhelmingly “blue,” the people here are finally saying to our governor that he has stop spending, and every time he comes up with another spending scheme, they go ape. But we had to get to the brink of bankruptcy for the “liberal” citizens to finally wake up. (Still, I’m skeptical; I won’t believe they’ve changed until they kick the “bums” out.) People are voting with their feet, leaving NJ, because it is hard to make ends meet here. This is but one state.
I think the whole country has to do what individuals have to do: budget and cut the horsepucky. Bite the bullet and just do it! That’s the change people want. They don’t want new “programs.” They want common sense to rule.
If Bloomberg is willing to speak up and force both candidates to deal with the truth, let him.
Report comment to moderator
NJLawyer post 2,
I do so agree with you.
We realy do need to have Bush admit the very high cost of continuing the war so that citizens can evaluate the cost benefit analysis of the war in objective terms. We have perhaps $1 trillion or more at stake here.
Report comment to moderator
I agree that we need to clean up our mess. I just believe the mess started with Kennedy not Bush.
Report comment to moderator
Now that I’ve picked my head up after pounding it into the desk, let me say that neither Bush nor any other particular individual has acted alone with respect to spending. This isn’t about Iraq. One can make a case for protecting America, and I think Musing knows this — whether he agrees with it or not. That is far, far different than the bridge to nowhere and all the other pork we always hear so much about. That is far, far different than giving in to lobbyists left and right.
In NJ, the problem we have is that people get these ideas and vote for them, but there’s no money for them. Whatever party is in power should be balancing the books. Otherwise, the nation ends up just like individuals: in bankruptcy, foreclosure, etc. That’s what I’m talking about. The candidate who can show that he/she understands that simple idea will get my vote. No Democrat comes close.
Report comment to moderator
NJLawyer post 5,
actually look carefully.
I stated that we needed honesty about the costs of the war so that we could analyze the cost benefit analysis correctly.
I did not say we should discontinue the war based on costs.
It is the transparency and honesty which is key here. If we have transparency and honesty, then our electorate will be aware of the bridge to no where type problem etc. and can correct it if they so choose.
What is observational is that earmarks appeared to have picked up during the 6 years of near total Republican control of the federal government. Further Bush, and the Republican congress, took us from a budget surplus to a budget shortfall.
Now it may in fact have been appropriate to support the war and/or the budget shortfall, but the process was not transparent, and in the lack of transparency, the ability of the electorate to properly judge our governments behavior was severely compromised.
Report comment to moderator
NJLawyer post 5,
and I suggest that perhaps the only candidate in the ring who fully integrates you concept of:
“Whatever party is in power should be balancing the books. Otherwise, the nation ends up just like individuals: in bankruptcy, foreclosure, etc. That’s what I’m talking about. The candidate who can show that he/she understands that simple idea will get my vote.”
is Ron Paul.
I assume therefore you are supporting Ron Paul?
Report comment to moderator
I got so excited only to be let down! There is still Ron Paul though! Run, Ron, Run!!!
Report comment to moderator
We have officially reached the generation in which even non-announcements are worthy of announcements.
Report comment to moderator
Bloomberg is officially announcing that an independent can win a general election. He is also announcing that he is not that independent.
Perhaps he is setting us up for a big announcement that Mickey Mouse will run for president as an independent.
Report comment to moderator
Whatever his answer may be, I’ll take Bloomberg seriously if he tells us whether he thinks our incarceration rate is too high, too low, or just right. With the highest rate in our history, it’s time to ask ourselves how we’re doing. Are we worse, or just not doing what people used to do to stop people from becoming criminals, or just more punitive?
Report comment to moderator
No, I am not supporting Ron Paul, mainly because anyone who would pick Andy Napolitano for VP is a headcase. Ron Paul doesn’t stand a chance, and I have no choice but to choose from candidates who do.
Nevertheless, I do want people like Ron Paul and Michael Bloomberg to ask questions publicly that the media will not ask, though I suppose it would be difficult to get a news report on that in our current climate.
Report comment to moderator
NJLawyer post 12,
but it looks like Bloomberg did get a news report in which we did raise these issues!
But I do agree with you, we have too few voices participating in the public discussion.
Personally I am sad that we are not hearing more from Kucinich.
Report comment to moderator
Musing, it takes someone with a gazillion dollars to be heard. Bloomberg is also a mayor of a major city. I don’t see a lot of reports from Paul or Kucinich, et al. There are times when I think the media thinks it has to boil it down to sound bites because we’re all too stupid to understand or follow a real debate. I don’t think the people are as stupid as the media treats us, and just as people want change in the way we govern, I think the internet and blogs, etc., will bring about change in the way the media deals with us. At least, I hope that will happen.
Report comment to moderator
NJLawyer post 14,
I agree we do need change, and you are probably right, the relative freedom of the internet does seem to be assisting this.
I am reminded of the Chinese curse, however, we may find ourselves living in interesting times!!!
Report comment to moderator
Musing, I wrote on another thread about the Canadian tv report that Obama’s campaign called the Canadian ambassador regarding NAFTA. The Canadian government has denied this, Obama has denied this, but so far CTV has not backed down. Reading the comments on ABC and at the Atlantic.com, I can only agree with you that these are interesting times. Such intrigue! This election only gets better and better — as entertainment, of course.
At least with the internet, they can’t get much by us anymore.
Report comment to moderator
#6 Musing,
If you know what the costs of the war are, I would suspect that Bush, that he hasn’t kept them a secret from anyone – especially the lefty attack dogs elected to congress. There has been no dishonesty from Bush but there has been dishonesty.
Bush has not and legally cannot spend one dime on Iraq. Only congress can spend money. Congress has approved every dime and they know exactly how much that is. Why would congress keep the amount secret from themselves and discourage any assessments at all when they are the only ones who can spend money. Don’t forget, when Bush has asked Congress to spend money on the war, they actually increased his request and spent more.
The only dishonesty, are those that claim Bush is spending money on Iraq, not telling people how much it is and claiming that proper assessments can’t be made.
Report comment to moderator
llama post 17,
so please show me the material from Bush showing the consolidated costs of the Iraq war?
And while we are at it, shall we put war funding in the budget and not off it?
What is needed here is transparency. Since we have not been presented with a consolidated cost AND it has, until recently, not been on the budget, I suggest that the funding has not been transparent.
And only with transparency can the elctorate understand what the costs and benefits of the Iraq war are.
And if one argues that transparency is not needed, I suggest one is also arguing that one does not trust the electorate.
P.S. if you insist that this is transparent please:
1) tell us what the total cost of the war is and has been with reference to government sources for this data
2) show us where this consolidated information is available from the government
I am not arguing that Bush ahs done anything illegal in Iraq funding, only that he has not been transparent in disclosing Iraq funding.
Report comment to moderator
Great! That’s what this country needs now…another left-wing whack-job running for President.
Can I get some help from the congregation? Can someone buy the nice liberal a one-way ticket to France?
Report comment to moderator
I think if either party picked him for their VP it would make their win much more likely. Sure it would alienate the diehards, but it would bring in far more moderates, which are, after all, the majority in this country.
Here’s another long-shot: Lieberman changes his affiliation to Republican and McCain picks him as his VP. How ironic would that be?
Report comment to moderator
The Republicans would lose if they chose someone as liberal as Bloomberg or Lieberman. That’s like having a choice between Democrat and Democrat.
Report comment to moderator
back to topJoin The Conversation
You need to be a registered user of WORLDonTheWeb.com to "join the conversation."
If you are not a member yet, what are you waiting for? Register / Login Now!