The First Cut is the Deepest

Well it seems that the proposed state budget cuts are gonna have a ripple effect on the city as well. As Daily Politics reports (good luck Liz!): "Budget Director Mark Page sent a letter to all city agency heads this morning, directing them to prepare for the worst as state lawmakers appear poised to enact deep spending cuts in the 2010-2011 budget."

To us, this is good news, and if it forces Mike Bloomberg to do what he should have done years ago-cut the size and scope of city government-than all we can say is, it's about time. And please, stop with the threat to cut emergency services: "If the full $1.3 billion cut remains in the final budget passed by the Legislature, Mayor Bloomberg has warned the city could be forced to slash 18,500 jobs - 10,000 city employees and 8,500 teachers."

What all of this underscores is just how derelict Bloomberg as mayor has been-growing the municipal workforce, and the concomitant unsustainable employee pension packages, and making the city a much too expensive a place to live and do business in.

As per business as usual, however, the Bloombergistas are failing to treat this as a good teaching moment-focusing instead on the need for the state to restore the cut funds. As Easy Ed Skylar writes: "A scenario with significant headcount reductions is likely," Skyler said. "We want New York City to be treated fairly. Sometimes in the past New York City's been treated like a cash cow and has been disproportionally hurt. And that is something that we are going to do everything in our power to prevent."

Hey Ed, "Knock it off!" The state has no money and the mayor has reiterated this cash poor position as far as the city goes as well-so tell the tax payers that it is time to live within our means and reduce the Leviathan to more manageable levels. And think of all the useless idiots over at the DOH wasting the tax payers' dough on stupid health restrictions, who can easily be shed (with no great loss to NYC's citizens) to look for gainful employment in the private sector.

When the history of the Bloomberg Error is written, the biggest lacuna in the little man's resume will be seen in his lack of understanding of the role of government and his accompanying inability to control its out-of-control costs. He should be joining with the governor-and NJ's Governor Christie as well-in realizing that all of this over the top tax supported public sector activity is choking the entrepreneurial life out of this once economically vibrant town.