| Submit your comments on this article |
| Home Front: Politix |
| Bloomberg Ridicules Washington On Economy |
| 2008-02-15 |
| Mayor Michael Bloomberg has unleashed another flurry of jabs on Washington, ridiculing the federal government's rebate checks as being "like giving a drink to an alcoholic" on Thursday, and said the presidential candidates are looking for easy solutions to complex economic problems. The billionaire and potential independent presidential candidate also said the nation "has a balance sheet that's starting to look more and more like a third-world country." President Bush signed legislation Wednesday that will result in cash rebates ranging from $300 to $1,200 for more than 130 million people. The federal checks are the centerpiece of the government's emergency effort to stimulate the economy, under the theory that most people will spend the money right away. But Bloomberg does not believe it will do much good. And his harsh words at a news conference Thursday reflect the view among some of his associates that the country's economic woes present a unique opportunity for him to launch a third-party bid for the White House. The theory among those urging him to run for president is that a businessman who rose from Wall Street to build his own financial information empire might be particularly appealing as the fiscal crisis worsens. Publicly, Bloomberg says he is "not a candidate," and explained recently he is speaking out on national issues as part of an "experiment" to influence the dialogue in the race. His tirade against the candidates and the economic stimulus package on Thursday began when he was asked how that experiment is going. In his answer, he praised Democrat Barack Obama for the plan the Illinois senator outlined on Wednesday that would create a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank to rebuild highways, bridges, airports and other public projects. Obama projects it could generate nearly 2 million jobs. Last month, Bloomberg and Govs. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California and Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania announced a coalition that would urge more investment in infrastructure. "I don't know whether Senator Obama looked to see what I've been advocating, or not -- you'll have to ask him -- but he's doing the right thing," Bloomberg said. But then the mayor went on to say that while the presidential candidates appear to be talking more about the economy now, they are looking for quick fixes to please voters instead of focusing on the roots of the problem. "Nobody wants to sit there and say, 'Well there's no easy solution,"' Bloomberg said. "They want to send out a check to everybody to stimulate the economy. I suppose it won't hurt the economy but it's in many senses like giving a drink to an alcoholic." |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #8 Unless you plan to set up toll roads, infrastructure is NOT profitable. It's a necessary part of government. Now if you plan to build a skyscraper/office building, and lease it out, But that's NOT an "Infrastructure". Very poor wordsmithing here. |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2008-02-15 12:41 |
| #7 "The billionaire and potential independent presidential candidate..." Only the billion provides the potential. "said the presidential candidates are looking for easy solutions to complex economic problems" Unlike those governors who are just looking for hand-outs: "Last month, Bloomberg and Govs. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California and Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania announced a coalition that would urge more investment in infrastructure." |
| Posted by: Darrell 2008-02-15 10:25 |
| #6 ...ridiculing the federal government's rebate checks as being "like giving a drink to an alcoholic" I'll bet he'd have no problems with it if there was a heavy tax on that drink. For the children, ya know... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2008-02-15 10:12 |
| #5 "has a balance sheet that's starting to look more and more like a third-world country." Well, Mike o'boy, let's just pull up the balance sheet from 1960 and compare the difference with today. Why, why that big friggin cancerous increase in federal spending on health. That was barely visible on the books back then. So, what'cha going to do about getting that back to its original state before it became malignant? |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2008-02-15 09:10 |
| #4 More CFR politics postured to purpose, he's another useful idiot that will be running to disagragate momentum for independent solutions. There is ney a word from him about the persistant Naked short selling in the markets,(a subject his friends know a lot about) we'll need infrastructure projects because of it. All well n good, because that is the plan, afterall, isnt it? |
| Posted by: Spiny Gl 2511 2008-02-15 08:40 |
| #3 "has a balance sheet that's starting to look more and more like a third-world country." Which is more than enough reason to reject yet more big welfare programs. |
| Posted by: eLarson 2008-02-15 08:16 |
| #2 Mayor Nanny needs a good beating every time he opens his mouth. I'm getting real tired of his moral hectoring and nanny statism. Perhaps he should make that third party run to see what America really thinks of his moral genius |
| Posted by: Frank G 2008-02-15 06:21 |
| #1 The billionaire and potential independent presidential candidate also said the nation "has a balance sheet that's starting to look more and more like a third-world country." He's obviously spending far too much time in California. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2008-02-15 05:01 |