The End of Mayoral Control; Or, Where the Wild Things Are

As we approach the predicted chaos that Mike Bloomberg is envisioning if the reauthorization of mayoral control isn't approved before the end of the day, all we can do is chuckle-after all, chaos isn't something that we should be frightened of; especially if it is being predicted by the solipsistic Mr. Bloomberg or the self serving Randi ("It's only about the kids") Weinberg. We have been treated to an endless drumbeat of doomsday rhetoric from those quarters-not to mention the flacks over at the tab editorial pages-and it will be interesting to see whether Armageddon will actually come-as John Sampson plays his role, with the mayor cast as Delilah.

But, at least for the short term we will be treated to the visage of an angry and helpless billionaire mayor; and no matter that this delicious sighting devolves from silliness in Albany, it is certainly a sight for these sore eyes. Here's the NY Post's lamentations this morning: "Mayor Bloomberg's legal authority to run the city's school system could expire tonight after Senate Democratic leader John Sampson hardened his position against quick passage of mayoral-control legislation. "We said we are dealing with noncontroversial bills . . . Mayoral control is a controversial issue [among Senate Democrats] -- and we would like some input," Sampson said."

Things are so bad that Bloomberg is actually-Can you believe it?-counseling participatory democracy, and taking to the streets: "Earlier yesterday, a frustrated Bloomberg said he wanted to give the public the phone numbers and home addresses of senators who are failing to do the state's business. "We'll give you the numbers of the senators, assuming everybody promises to call them at 3 in the morning," Bloomberg quipped. "I can do one better," the mayor added. "We should give you their addresses so you can stand outside their houses. That would really make a dent."

But the frustration that Bloomberg feels, is something that is self-inflicted; since it was his courtiers who led the senate coup and threw that chamber into the chaos that he now laments. And now the courtiers, turned into court jesters, are casting stones at Sampson and their other Democratic colleagues-a classic case of misdirection: "Republicans wasted no time blasting the Democrats' position. "It makes absolutely no sense. It's obstructing, it's irresponsible," Senator Frank Padavan, a Queens Republican who is the sponsor of the bill, said. "Maybe he's using these 1.1 million kids as a pawn in his grab for power," Senator Andrew Lanza, a Staten Island Republican, said of Sampson."

All of which allows the governor to enact the role of the monsters in "Where the Wild Things Are."

AND WHEN HE CAME TO THE PLACE WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE THEY
CHILD 3: ROARED THEIR TERRIBLE ROARS! (ALL ROAR)
CHILD 4: AND GNASHED THEIR TERRIBLE TEETH! (ALL GNASH TEETH)
CHILD 1: AND ROLLED THEIR TERRIBLE EYES! (ALL ROLL EYES)
CHILD 2: AND SHOWED THEIR TERRIBLE CLAWS!

Until Max said stop! Now, since we know it won't be Paterson playing Max in this sequel (in spite of Bill Hammond's kudos to the sudden burst of testosterone), the only question remaining is, Who will? The chaotic situation can't continue to stall governance forever. But, in the meanwhile, we can all be entertained by the stymied Mad Michael, his comedic courtiers, and his dyspeptic flacks. Gridlock has never been so much fun to watch.