Bill De Blasio is to liberalism what Benito Mussolini was to fascism; that is, not very good at it! After Giuliani conservatism reduced crime and Bloomberg pragmatism advanced informed citizenry (nutritional values on menus), De Blasio went full Venezuela Wannabe. Cronyism? Check. Despotism? Check. Anti-wealth? Check. Pro-stupidity? Check. Poor New York.
It speaks volumes to his leadership that 525,000 residents fled New York City in March (including my children). His COVID-19 response was at first no problemo before becoming totalitarian: e.g elevator-distancing laws that will prevent many evacuees from returning until January 2021. His response to social-justice protests cum riots was naive (hint: it’s not about George Floyd). Trying to show solidarity with black protestors; he was heckled and booed – and quit after 90 seconds.
For Mayor De Blasio, cronyism begins with his wife Chirlane McCray, whom he appointed in April to head the post-COVID Task Force on Racial Inclusion and Equity. Councilman Robert Holden (D-NY) ascribes the worst motive: pad McCray’s resume for a run at Brooklyn borough president. Perhaps, but her leadership of ThriveNYC – where she cannot account for $850 million gone missing – is no qualification for another hubby-luvvy appointment.
Governor Cuomo (D-NY) and President Trump (R-NY) have both called out the despotic De Blasio. Public school systems are a governor’s purview, but De Blasio still issued an April closing-order for city schools. Cuomo’s response was quick and blunt: “He didn’t close them and he can’t open them.” And, after ignoring federal immigration laws, De Blasio slashed his city’s budget $2 billion and demanded President Trump “save New York City…say the word [and] the Senate would jump.” Of course, Trump ignored him.
No friend to the wealthy, De Blasio’s 2014 campaign promise was “hiking taxes on the wealthy.” His 2019 promise was to “tax the hell out of the wealthy.” He’s fine with high taxes: “no city in America can match New York’s broad array of taxes – residents’ state and local tax rates far exceed national norms” (source: City Journal). He sees the consequences: “waves of educated and high earning New Yorkers are moving out – 46% [earning] over $150,000” (source: The Hill). This life-long politician thinks money grows on trees.
Imagine living where Ocasio-Cortez followers want a police-free city. Sad, because the violent riots prove law-abiding voters have a tough road ahead. Maybe they should boo the mad-liberal mayor the next time he attacks the police. He’s easy to spot on stage: the tall guy in the dunce cap. Really – he just agreed to chop the police budget 17% and cancel the new rookie class (1,000 cops). With 272 police officers retiring this summer, how wise is it to cancel their replacements?
What does this mean to the poor residents of New York? Hard to say for sure, but local prisons released inmates, illegal fireworks are rampant at night, and murders are up 25% this year. After protests turned to violence and looting, De Blasio should stand up for law-abiding New Yorkers and push back on left-wing radicals – because there are better-run cities waiting to poach tax-paying individuals and businesses. Here’s an idea: no statues E-V-E-R of Generalissimo Benito De Blasio!