Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg on Wednesday unleashed a blunt and stinging critique of the federal government’s handling of the economic recovery, saying that lawmakers from both parties have “abdicated their responsibility” in favor of partisan bickering, have vilified success in corporate America and have left the country lagging behind its international competitors.
In a long and sweeping speech, Mr. Bloomberg, a billionaire media mogul, offered a wide-ranging plan for reigniting entrepreneurship and growth, calling for tax cuts for businesses, an overhaul of regulations and investments in job training.
Many of his proposals, like immigration reform, are not new and the New York City mayor’s ability to hasten their passage is untested. But at a time when the White House and Congress are struggling to reach consensus on how to tackle a stubbornly high unemployment rate, it was Mr. Bloomberg’s harsh assessment of Washington politics and his call for centrist problem solving that proved most striking.
“Last month, voters turned against Democrats in Washington for the same reason they turned against Republicans in 2006,” Mr. Bloomberg told a gathering of city business leaders at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. “Democrats now, and Republicans then, spent more time and energy conducting partisan warfare than forging centrist solutions to our toughest economic problems.”
The speech, far-reaching in scope and language, and delivered with much fanfare along the Brooklyn waterfront, instantly intensified speculation about the mayor’s political ambitions, whether it was intended to or not.
He needs to stop with the coy crap - he's running, all right.
But before he gets all misty-eyed thinking about becoming the next inhabitant of the White House (if he actually decided to live there - remember, Gracie Mansion is too "slummy" for him), he ought to learn that this kind of rhetoric isn't such a winner when unemployment is 9.8%:
As he has in the past, Mr. Bloomberg defended corporations — and, implicitly, Wall Street — whose success, he said, has become a liability in the wake of the economic crisis of 2008, when the federal government offered emergency loans to big banks and the automobile industry.
“It’s time to take a step back,” he said, “and ask ourselves, ‘When did success become a bad word in America?
Success on Wall Street and in corporate America became a bad word when corporations decided that they didn't need to hire Americans anymore.
Success on Wall Street and in corporate America became a bad word when corporate America enjoyed its most profitable quarter ever while the unemployment rate shot up to 9.8%.
So see how far that Defend Corporate America rhetoric gets you in Iowa and New Hampshire, Moneybags.
I'm no Larry Sabato, but I'm going to guess it won't get you too far.
Which is why you have a 19% approval rating outside of NYC.
Yes, in the corporatocracy, the fascist oligarchy, oligigarch thugs define what reality is. Oligarchs Bloomberg , Gates, others, and all of their lackeys, ARE defining the new Amerika. To him, the robber barons of Wall Street, the criminal Goldman Sachs, and their ilk, are the new standard bearers of success. There is no coincidence that Wikileaks was shut down cold, and its leader imprisoned for not wearing a rubber, only when he threatened Wall Street. This movement has destroyed the world economy through casino capitalism, but yet it doesn't seem to matter. Maybe because the Rothschild banking family are the real culprits, and they own The Fed as well, and are doing quite well now.
ReplyDeleteYes, in the corportocracy I'm watching Bill Gates right now exclaiming the beauty of a new Chinese car maker , BYD, that he's investing in with Warren Buffett. Warren alludes to how government and business combine in China, and what a beautiful thing this is...or at least makes this company something to stand in awe of. So, these titans of industry love this totalitarian state to do business in. This company "blows their mind...." They don't mention that in China, they have imprisoned thousands of people, and probably executed Chinese for simply practicing Gulong (or whatever it's called). In China, if you say the wrong thing to the wrong person, you are never heard from again...and possibly your body parts are farmed out on the open market for body parts. They don't mention that Chinese assembly line workers have been committing suicide to protest the harsh working conditions there. No mention of these things by the great philanthropist, Bill Gates. They don't mention that with all of the off shoring of American industry, family life here in America has gone down the drain in many ways and places-leading to poor education results in our nation. And THIS is who Randi puts on the stage in Seattle, AT OUR FUCKING UNION MEETING? And THIS is who is now America's education guru? Kiddies, welcome to the new success...and watch your body parts...
"Candidate Bloomberg, would you appoint Cathie Black, or someone like her with literally no experience in education, to become Secretary of Education?"
ReplyDeleteThat question is the torpedo that will scuttle his presidential bid.
I'm far more worried about Chris Christie shedding 50 pounds and having another year or so to hide his Jersey skeletons. People absolutely love that guy.
Tim, I'm with you on that fear over Christie. Eventually the skeletons would be found - but boy would there be some damage done first (as is happening all over Jersey now.)
ReplyDeleteAnon, I share the outrage you feel over Randi inviting Gates to the AFT convention. What was worse, the shills who clapped for him. He should have been chased out of there a la Charles and Camilla-style.