The Empire Page

The titans of Wall Street have rewarded themselves with nearly record bonuses this year.  They almost managed us into a depression, their banks were bailed out by the government, lending has not increased and they are fighting all legislative attempts to reform their bad practices, yet they felt they were entitled to their large bonuses. Yes these are the banks that were able to pay off their bailouts but there is no doubt the bailouts and other government interventions saved them from collapse.  While they have taken advantage of artificially low prices to make profits, why do they think they are entitled to not only the bonuses like having their country club dues and their taxes paid for. All this while the country that bailed them out continues to suffer throught the recession they created.  The leaders of  Wall Street continue to live like high times are still with us.  It is truly one set of rules for them and another for the rest of us.

Like his Wall Street buddies, Mike Bloomberg lives by his own set of rules. Like them, he feels that he is so special that only he can lead the City and he is entitled to do so for a third term. Why else would he go back on his word and defy the will of the voters by pushing through term limits extension after New Yorkers had twice approved two terms for our elected officials. Why else would he feel that it is ok to spend an obscene amount of money on the race virtually negating the chance of any possible challenger. Just like his friends the Wall Street executives he feels entitled to his bonus and will do what it takes to get. However, the mayoralty is not an entitlement and you have to be responsive to the will of the people, not just ignore it when it suits your purposes.

If you’re a New Yorker who is outraged at the bonuses on that Wall Street executives feel they are entitled to, also be outraged the Wall Street Mayor and deny him the third term he feels he is entitled to.