Bloomberg x 3

Don’t go. Please stay. It’s believed that’s the desire of many New Yorkers with money and power regarding Mayor Bloomberg. They’d love to change New York City’s term limits policy and encourage the mayor to run one more time after his second term ends in December 2009. The term limits law must be changed by next July to make that mayoral run possible. Despite the opinions of many others too for “more of the same,” it’s important to remember that term limits are a vital protection against the occasional poor choices we voters make. New Yorkers have twice voted against extending term limits. Recent polls confirm they would do so again. After 9/11, many in New York looked to extend Mayor Giuliani for fear of who might follow in his wake. That fear turned out to be unfounded. Mayor Bloomberg has truly done an exceptional job for New York during his tenure. Let’s hope though that there are no "backroom deals" that deny the will of the voters.

Welfare Roll Reversal

Less people in New York City collect welfare than in the past 45 years. The current welfare caseload is 341,329. That’s a 26.2% drop since Mayor Bloomberg first took office. Under Mayor Giuliani’s policy of tightening standards and eliminating fraud, the caseload dropped from 1,160,593 to 462,595. Both mayors have done a great job with this system. All city residents should indeed be grateful. Now that the welfare number is more manageable, perhaps it’s time to institute a workfare system. Our neighbors who are truly indigent should never be denied. Yet, isn’t it reasonable to demand that those that are capable of work perform some service to benefit the community that benefits them?