Diplomatic Immunity Shouldn’t Mean Financial Impunity

Councilman Eric Gioia (D-Queens) wants foreign diplomats to pay up or pay the price. Every NYC politician should support his position. For years, many foreign diplomats have ignored parking tickets and property taxes to the tune of $78 million! Gioia’s demanding they give us our due or face revocation of licenses, towing of cars, electricity shutoff and the like. He wants the federal government to withhold aid to foreign countries who owe New York City money. Why not? New York City is in the midst of another round of budget cuts. The US Supreme Court has ruled that New York City may sue countries that don’t pay property taxes. If the United States government won’t safeguard New Yorkers’ rights, we must take matters into our own hands.