NYC Spends $65 Million For Reservists’ Pay

Since September 11th, over 2,000 city employees have been called up by their country to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan. At present, 488 of our city’s brave sons and daughters are on duty overseas. We’re grateful for their honorable service. When municipal workers become serving reservists, the city foots the bill. Representative Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn/Queens) is calling upon the Federal government to reimburse New York for the expense. It’s a reasonable idea that’s unlikely to happen; and perhaps it shouldn’t. New York City’s burden is likely in proportion to other municipalities across the country. Maybe we should look into the city’s bloated budget to cut waste rather than reaching out for a handout during a time of war. Yes, New Yorkers are special, but we must remember that we're AMERICANS first ... except of course for all of the illegal aliens throughout our five boroughs.