Just Say No

As Bloomberg readies to steal democracy and buy the election tomorrow–spending “more of his own money than any other individual in United States history in the pursuit of public office” (Times)–some of you may yet be undecided.

To those of you considering Bloomberg, and to those of you considering not voting at all, I offer the following.

photo via EV Grieve

Bloomberg likes to call other people a “disgrace.” Let him know it takes one to know one : When Giuliani tried to extend term limits to keep himself in office, Bloomberg called such an act “disgraceful.” After Bloomberg successfully extended term limits, ignoring the democratic process, and a reporter asked him to talk about it, he called the reporter a disgrace. In this clip, Jon Stewart skewers Bloomie on the Daily Show, revealing just how disgracefully Bloomberg behaves.

Bloomberg wants you to think he’s the only man who can get NYC through this economic crisis. What he won’t admit is that he helped create it. Tell him you can’t be fooled : Last year, I interviewed urban studies expert Julian Brash on The Bloomberg Way. Here’s what he had to say: “The reason we keep having fiscal crises in the city is because were so dependent on the unstable industry of finance. Bloomberg has not diversified the citys economy enough to protect it. In fact, he made it worse. He created a place where only super-profitable companies, namely finance, can buy into the city.”

Bloomberg is proud of his 100 rezonings. Tell him he’s just another narcissistic Robert Moses : As I’ve written about extensively on this blog, the city isn’t the city anymore. It’s a sprawling, high-rising, suburban shopping mall. And we have Bloomberg to thank for that. His 100 rezonings and gifts to developers continue to decimate the city. Ultimately, it’s been a colossal failure that favored his rich friends and left the rest of us out to dry.

Bloomberg thinks he is middle class. Tell him he’s wrong: Reporting on the recent mayoral debate, David Chen wrote in the Times, “When asked how he would define the middle class, Mr. Bloomberg spoke fluidly about how being middle class was not measured by data but rather by taking the subway (as he does), walking the streets (as he does) and being able to pay the bills but not save much (O.K., never mind).”