The bloom is off the Bloomberg

To the editor (Riverdale Press):

Headline “Mayor out to tackle bloated MTA “beast.”

This is being used in his campaign literature. The Mayor had eight years to tame the beast and did nothing about it. In fact, his “congestion pricing” scheme was predicated on the fact that our transportation system would be enlarged and affordable. It turns out the MTA has cut routes and raised the fares.

If he had used federal transportation dollar to make the system better and more affordable, it would have done more to alleviate traffic than an ill-advised and very costly “congestion pricing” initiative.

Let us look at some of his other initiatives. He wanted a football stadium in downtown Manhattan. This certainly would have brought more traffic to the area. He favored deregulation of the banking industry and Wall Street. In spite of the fact that he made his money on news of Wall Street and many of his social companions were from banking, Wall Street and the real estate industry he had absolutely no clue as to the downturn of the economy. Now he tells us he and he alone has the know-how to correct things.

His appointed “Rent Guideline Board” forced tenants to buy into co-ops, condominiums, and homes they could not afford because they feared being priced out of their apartments. Now some of them are losing their homes.

He allowed the use of eminent domain and tax deals for millionaires and billionaires who own sports franchises to benefit at the expense of the middle class. Under his stewardship, because of tax giveaways to the rich, we have higher tolls. Our meters cost more for less time. Subway and bus fares have gone up, and parking tickets and tow-aways are outlandish. Schools have had phony class promotions and tests for students to show an increase in productivity in schools.

His “I love the rich” philosophy comes at the expense of the middle class.

Now he needs four more years to salve his inflated ego.

MICKEY GENSLER