S: Is for Shame, Shame On You!

A travesty of injustice happened today. Like a lot of New Yorkers I watched the casting of votes as several city council members who are called on to represent the majority of their constituents, went against their will, strictly for their own agenda. A poll released earlier this week by Quinnipiac University found that 89 percent of New Yorkers want the issue of term limits to be dealt with in a referendum. Bloomberg has made it clear that he’ll go all out to get his way. In a time of economic struggle and when Warren Buffet put his money into helping the Wall Street crises, Bloomberg has stated he will spend $100 million on his re-election campaign, and that $20 million will go toward advertising aimed at blackening the reputation of the opponent who has been most outspoken against his attempt to thwart the term-limits referenda. Tony Avella, a Queens Democrat, struck the core of the issue when he explained his "no" vote. "If those who support this bill think it is a really good-government thing, that we have three terms instead of two, why did they wait til now? They waited til now so it was too late to do a referendum, so it could only be done legislatively." He went on to warned others in the Council: "You're not conning anybody. The public of this city knows the fix was in from the beginning. And you know something? When the time comes, hopefully - and I apologize to my colleagues - but you should all be voted out of office." Ironically, Bloomberg is in the process of soiling his own reputation. The Times reported, even close aides who once admired him are now shocked at how self-serving he is. He has already tarnished his philanthropy by leaning on non-profits he supports through his “charitable” giving to push their local council members to overlook the voters’ will. These non-profits have historically been very important in local New York politics, making them an effective avenue to influence the City Council. Bloomberg announed three weeks ago that he would try to rewrite the term-limits law which was ironic as he previously backed the term limits law and vetoed a 2002 bill to amend it, saying it was an attempt by politicians to change the rules for personal gain. During the 20 hours of council hearings scores of New Yorkers came to testify and again a poll found that registered voters overwhelmingly disapproved of the plan. During the debate on Thursday, Councilman Charles Barron, who voted against the bill, urged his colleagues to say "no to bullying, no to billions of dollars and yes to the people." And Councilman Tony Avella said: "You should all be voted out of office for voting for this." "Everything has been wrong with this process, and we should not be party to it," said Councilman Bill de Blasio. The vote was passed by 29 to 22, had they gotten 34 votes it would of been two thirds of the house but like the Obama/ McCain vote our city is torn. As the measure passed, a shout came from the spectators' section on the balcony: "Shame on you, shame on all of you!" Speaker Christine Quinn in a slap to all those she represents laughed at those who voiced their horror. The move now faces a Constitutional challenge in federal court in Manhattan. Ten public school teachers filed a federal lawsuit on Wednesday contending that changing the law without a referendum breached voters’ civil rights and due-process rights and two council members filed suit in State Supreme Court charging that a vote on the extension by officials who would benefit from it would violate the city’s conflict of interest laws.
On a positive note I sent letters to my city council members voicing my concerns and my hope for them to listen to the people.
Council member Jessica Lappin wrote me back today before the election. Here is what she said:

Dear Neighbor:
Thank you for contacting me and voicing your opposition to the Mayor’s proposal to extend term limits. I have decided to vote against the Mayor’s bill when it comes up for a vote later today. While I am philosophically opposed to term limits, the voters have spoken clearly on this issue. I will be casting a no vote out of respect for the will of the people. Hearing from constituents like you was crucial to my decision making process. So thank you, again, for taking the time to share your views with me.

Sincerely,
Jessica Lappin


"We are forgetting who we work for," warned fellow "No" voter Bill DeBlasio (D-Brooklyn). "By taking away the people's right to decide this issue we are increasing their choices."

Inez E. Dickens, *Alan Gerson,*Robert Jackson,*Miguel Martinez and *Christine Quinn, I hereby state that you have gone against Manhattanites wishes. I hope and I pray that come election day that you and the representatives in other districts are shown, how we have all lost our faith and trust in your ability to speak for us. New Yorkers we need to speak out and cast our votes against all of those who refuse to hear us and that is a F.A.C.T.