Go and Tax No More!

The fruits of chaos continue to provide sustenance for the underfed.This time, it is the fate of the city's sales tax-not only regressive but counterproductive to the vaunted five borough economic development plan. As Daily Politics pointed out, the tax was a victim of the righteous wrath of Reverend Ruben Diaz: "The sales tax increase the city needs to balance its budget hit a huge road block in the form of Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr...A vote was called, and the bill failed: 19-13. (It would have failed anyway, since there are only 31 members physically in the chamber; but Padavan was apparently counted in the affirmative). The "no" votes were: Adams, Addabbo, Diaz, Dilan, Hassell-Thompson, Kruger (Carl), Monserrate, Montgomery, Onorato, Parker, Perkins, Sampson, Smith."

The reverend's rationale? "No more tax for the city of New York," he said. "Because the people of the City of New York, the members of my district, are paying too much taxes. Yesterday. Yesterday, the MTA increased the fare...No more taxes for the City of New York. Not just me. There's a group of them. Let's see what happens. Me personally, I'm tried of taxes." Diaz Sr. suggested that if Bloomberg needs money to balance the budget, he should take it out of his own pocket, perhaps diverting some of the cash (close to $20 million already) that he has been dropping on his re-election campaign."

Also speaking a little truth to power was the much maligned Monserrate: "Monserrate was the only other senator to explain his vote. He stood to "echo the sentiment" expressed by Diaz Sr., saying the city needs a "much better and more progressive tax scheme."

All of which frustrates the mayor to no end. As Liz says elsewhere: "Bloomberg is none too happy with the Senate for being unable to pass the Assembly's mayoral control bill (not to mention the sales tax increase the city needs to balance its budget), saying he doesn't see how anyone "can look themselves in the eye in the mirror tomorrow" if they fail to approve these measures."

But, could it be that it is Bloomberg who needs to become the, "man in the mirror?" As the other great Michael once sang;

"I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place (If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place)Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change (Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change)
(Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,Na Nah)

I've Been A Victim Of A Selfish Kind Of Love
It's Time That I Realize That There Are Some With No Home, Not A Nickel To Loan
Could It Be Really Me, Pretending That They're Not Alone?"