By Dave Lindorff
Word is that Michael Bloomberg, the mega-billionaire former mayor of New York City who watched his wealth more than double while he sat in the mayor’s office is thinking of running for President as a Democrat in 2020.
Why does that suck?
Well, listen as my dear departed friend and co-founder of this site, Chuck Young, recounts (in an article written foR TCBH! [2] published almost eight years ago) his conversation in late 2010 with a Bloomberg “push-poll” caller trying to convince Chuck to support Bloomberg in his re-election bid:
…
Pollster: Mayor Mike Bloomberg wants to close the $4-billion budget by taking control of the pension plan from the state and enacting pension reform.
Chuck Young: Didn’t you just ask that?
P: No, that’s a new statement.
CY: Well, it sounds like a statement I disapproved of with only slightly different wording.
P: So you somewhat disapprove or strongly disapprove?
CY: Strongly. Now it’s your turn to answer my question. Do you know how much Mayor Mike Bloomberg is worth?
P: No, I don’t.
CY: I’ve seen different estimates, but it’s probably about $18 billion. You can put on your survey that I strongly disapprove of that.
P: The statement is this, sir: Mayor Mike Bloomberg wants to avoid raising taxes on the middle class by taking control of the city union pension plans from the state legislature.
CY: Didn’t I already answer that?
P: No, sir.
CY: Strongly disapprove.
P: Mayor Mike Bloomberg wants to shift control of service union pensions to the city council because the city council understands the needs of the people of New York City better than the state legislature. Do you strongly approve…
CY: $18 billion. You know what Mayor Mike could do with that all that money in his wallet?
P: Sir, I just need to know: Do you strongly approve, somewhat approve…
CY: Mayor Bloomberg could cover the entire budget gap all by himself, and still have $14 billion to live on. How bad could his life be with a mere $14 billion to spend? Would his daughter have to give up even one of her dressage ponies?
P: If we could just continue, sir.
CY: I mean, what’s the point of having the 23rd richest guy in the world as mayor if he doesn’t help us out?
P: Please answer the question, sir….
For the rest of this article by DAVE LINDORFF in ThisCantBeHappening!, the uncompromised, collectively run, Project Censored Award-winning online alternative news site, please go to: www.thiscantbehappening.net/node/3981