tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193471780873666532.post598352437447393108..comments2023-10-29T03:32:50.718-07:00Comments on Manhattan Viewpoint: Bloomberg's Regressive Budget Solutiongreggwalker72http://www.blogger.com/profile/05170555944253767533noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193471780873666532.post-42855014057942984262009-05-04T15:39:00.000-07:002009-05-04T15:39:00.000-07:00Thanks for this Richard. Good luck with your show....Thanks for this Richard. Good luck with your show. I will use your line "back to black" going forward. We need leaders to lead us back into the black rather than the ones who led us into the red.greggwalker72https://www.blogger.com/profile/05170555944253767533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193471780873666532.post-42284882874179192792009-05-04T06:14:00.000-07:002009-05-04T06:14:00.000-07:00Although it could be argued that everyone must mak...Although it could be argued that everyone must make sacrifices, it is hardly logically sound or even fiscally prudent to expect to fill deficits on the slanted shoulders of the poor who are already suffering via increases in the cost of consumer goods and even worse losing their jobs. More than likely, the economic models used to forecast the city's revenues are inherently flawed from the onset. And you are correct in that the budget does not provide for a long term solution which is a characteristic of many city and state budgets across this country. <br /><br />Everyone must make sacrifices but a regressive tax (i.e., sales tax) should not be the ultimate solution. A sales tax affects everyone but it disproportionately affects the poor. Increased fees on transportation services also does not help in a time when the slightest increase in these services severely affects already tight budgets. People need their transportation money to get them to the very jobs they are trying to hold on to. Now, transportation costs increase (wages don't) which results in cuts in other budgeted items which will ultimately lead - decrease in sales tax collections, loss in business revenue and maybe even resulting in a busiess shutting its doors (hence the flaw with sales tax collections and trickle down economics for that matter).<br /><br />As for voting Bloomberg for a third term, it is for the voters to decide. I will say that there is sound logic for having two term limits on New York's mayor just as there is sound reasoning for terms limits on the President of the United States (now if only there were term limits on members of congress). <br /><br />Regardless, Mr. Walker's point is well taken. Do you really want to bring the bus driver back who landed you in the ditch in the first place? I'd argue no. I'd also argue that there are many capable individuals who can lead a great city like New York back to black. I really don't believe Bloomberg has a monopoly on good ideas, but he does have a financial crisis on his hands. If I were a New Yorkers, I'd be nervous if this is the mayor's master plan just as I'd be nervous voting to give the driver a third term and in essence the keys to the bus with its worn wheels, gas tank on 'e', shaky suspension, severe thunderstorms forecast and if I didn't know any better, the mapped route looks to have plenty more ditches along the way.<br /><br />richard lives in orlando and just felt like giving two cents.<br />richard.gipson@hotmail.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com