Despite the constant media exposure including paid advertisements, the seeming ‘liberal’ intentions and the occasional nice if empty moment, the public’s response to the Mayor of New York City and the Governor of New York State indicate a failure of trust and approval.
The old adage “You can fool some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time” clearly applies to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who plays hard ball with a metal baseball bat and to Mayor Bill DeBlasio who appears much happier when he is traveling away from NYC than when he is in it.
What the public sees in these two men is a naked if thwarted political ambition so obvious that it’s either embarrassing or anger-making. All that talk about ’historic plans and programs’ without results, makes it worse.
Here’s a reason to consider when watching the public turn away from both: while they come from very different backgrounds they closely share one major similarity regarding their experiences…neither of these men in their mid-50’s has ever had a job that was not connected to politics. The ‘game of politics’ is the only game they know…is the only experience they’ve had.
Despite reams of policies and programs they blithely espouse, it’s difficult to know if they even understand the basics of these programs much less lead them to work.
Clearly neither man knows anything about education. Their choices and involvements make that abundantly clear. DeBlasio selects a Schools Chancellor who has already failed at the job in the Bloomberg administration. Cuomo “gives” NYC millions to expand pre-kindergarten classes without any knowledge of whether these classes will succeed, then promises more money still in the dark about success. He decides that Charter schools may be a good thing without any apparent awareness that less than 20% of them are better than traditional schools and then supports limiting their growth.
Neither man seems to know or care about affordable housing despite public feuds over certain programs under scrutiny. DeBlasio makes believe he will help the 600,000 people who suffer in the NYCHA buildings scattered throughout the five boroughs – the largest crime-ridden slum in America. He makes believe but delivers nothing but a public relations effort to make-believe things will be better.
Cuomo promises 100 million dollars to fix some of the roofs of these buildings so that the constant leaks will stop and the mold growth will stop with them. Then withdraws the commitment. The money will go elsewhere.
Affordable housing in New York City and State is essentially a few add-on apartments to otherwise luxury buildings with the developers getting tax breaks because they are helping to build “affordable housing”. Cuomo’s major campaign donor is being investigated by the Federal government for questionable ties with the State Housing Commission. DeBlasio’s top contributor rushes to finish a $400 million dollar housing development so he won’t have to build even a few ‘affordable’ apartments
Neither of these men seem to understand what to do about the justice system both as regards safety in the streets and ethics in the State Government.
If you are reading this you know about what the Mayor has done to his relationship with the NYPD and the African-American population in the city. There is no need to comment further but to say that crime in the NYCHA neighborhoods is growing.
Mr. Cuomo’s failure to take a meaningful step towards real reform of the ‘play for pay’ reality of State Government foreshadows the fact that every time another State Senator or Assemblyman is indicted, Cuomo’s favorable rating drops. It is now an unfavorable rating.
News that he is now trying to investigate Attorney-General Schneiderman’s activities in office follows news that Schneiderman might take him on for the Governorship in 2018. No such public investigation of the Attorney-general’s office has ever been held in this manner because few Governors play hardball with a metal baseball bat.
The bottom line is not flattering. Governor Cuomo’s promise as a leader driven by liberal impulses to help people, looks empty because he refuses to do the very things that will make him a hero in a State that has been ‘for sale’ for years. He appears not to know how to deliver.
Bill DeBlasio became Mayor in an election in which only 17% of all the eligible voters in New York City came out to vote. And 40% of those few votes went to the other guy. That’s not close to being a mandate. He’s supported by little more than the good wishes of New Yorkers who want him to do a good job. And feel badly when he fumbles and runs out of town to give a speech on what should be done even if he doesn’t do it in NY.
He often looks uncomfortable. Some say he is late to so many meetings because he doesn’t want to be there at all.
Again his liberal impulses – though he calls them progressive – indicate that good things ought to devolve from his administration. His desire to become a national leader of progressives while he is still trying to learn to be Mayor has shocked New Yorkers from top business leaders to taxicab drivers. Certain newscasters in the press and on TV regularly point out his mistakes and missteps. “One term Bill” is being heard more and more often at power luncheons and breakfasts.
All of this is sad.
The Liberal Party is heartened to know that New York has two liberally-oriented men in charge of the State and City. But words are not enough. Words are not leadership. Words don’t produce good, clean, productive government. Words alone make political labels worthless.
And that’s all we’ve been getting…words.