One clarification in my rhetorical question you mention:

“But honestly, do you really think ANY politician is not out for himself? Of course - that’s the career he chose. No matter who you wind up supporting, that’s the foundation.”

I purposely left out the word “just” in “out for himself.” I am not implying that every politician is JUST out for himself (or herself) but that the nature of that job is often that the person wants personal power, though he or she hopefully wants to accomplish something good for others as well.

Also, I’m not yelling “communist.” I’ve had doubts about Chin’s various comments in the past as well as her associations. My favorite English teacher was a Communist but I wouldn’t trust him in office.

Glad to hear your last sentence. It’s all not worth a thing if life ain’t
good.

My bottom line is truth-telling. I know it sounds self righteous–but it’s hard not to sound that way when you’re trying to save your own home and help others do the same, and you know beyond all doubt that the people who claim to represent you have no bottom line whatsoever.

With the exception of Jerry Nadller, they were the enemy. All i can do is recount my own experiences with them. i’ll do more of that as the campaign unfolds. Others who were with me saw the same things; I can assure you of that. Some will disagree. I believe that they are either misguided or, as I know some do, they have mixed agendas.

Again, what I write will either have the ring of truth or it won’t. I try to give contemperaneous evidence when it’s available–as in the Phipps Plaza case, for example.

On the issue of term limits, of course every politician wants to be re-elected to his or her current position or go higher. But again, there has to be a bottom line: where, as here, the people have voted twice on no third terms–and someone discards that vote–s/he has crossed the rubicon as far as I’m concerned.

I think you’re mistaken when you think that either Quinn or Gerson or any of the others agonized over their votes–their interests were perfectly aligned with bloomberg’s — you said it yourself when you asked rhetorically

:But honestly, do you really think ANY politician is not out for himself? Of course - that’s the career he chose. No matter who you wind up supporting, that’s the foundation.

Neither Quinn or Gerson had to be scared into submission or feel pressure from others–the point is the one you make__they didn’t give a damn what we voted.

Vindicating the meaning of our vote is the transcendent issue in this campaign. Even if Gerson were a great city council member–which you and i agree he is not–it would not matter one whit. and let me just say that city council members operate at the margins of government power. They have little leverage on the mayor or his agencies. I’ll write about that in future posts.

Finally, as for the various records of the candidates. I don’t know any of them. I did many years ago at someone’s request, meet Chin, but I actually voted for Gerson the first time around. I didn’t know him and hadn’t had any dealing with him. I didn’t look at the link for Chin but someone did send me something that claimed she was a communist. E gads! We’re back to the red menace–the better dead than red days. How silly that seems.

I have the same problem with Gleason that you and others have, and I did get an unpleasant phone call from him when he ran the first time around.

As for Kim, he has little support. I’m not sure that he won’t simply divide the asian-american support for Chin, and allow Gerson to slip through. I’m sure Gerson is counting on something like that happening.

So there it is–I can’t say it isn’t personal–but vendetta is too strong a word. I’m generally speaking a happy man who loves his wife and kids and has a good time in life.

However, when it comes to the next City Council Member, I have other thoughts…..

We still need a good city council rep. The people running downtown are:

Margaret Chin: She simply has a very questionable past.
http://www.city-journal.org/article02.php?aid=1606
I’m not saying this is the absolute truth, but I do believe some of it because I’ve heard about her associations before, years ago, when it was happening. Wouldn’t trust her or her intentions.

Pete Gleason: I suppose this man has too much time on his hands and would like to be somebody. His own website shows he’s done nothing. Just talks a lot. Has friends on the lower east side because he defended their rights. His own fellow fire fighters don’t think much of him - but anyway, they can’t vote downtown because they don’t live here. No track record, fights dirty.

A Gerson: I think Gerson’s fault is that he overextends himself. I was disappointed because he originally was against term extending. Don’t know what happened. Maybe he felt the pressure of his other city council members.

P.J. Kim: Now this guy might be the most innocent of them all. His
school record is basically all he’s got; plus some job experience. He’s young and he’s fed up. He’s also had experience with his family suffering by being immigrants. His education, according to his website is quite extensive and impressive. He wants to help the underprivileged.
Can he be strong in City Council?

I am not sure whether I will vote for PJ Kim or A. Gerson. Living downtown means we need someone good to confront all the issues going on here. I have seen Gerson face up to the LMCCC, the DOT, the people who put tons of dangerous explosive fuel into a building on Hudson Street, endless builders converting offices to residences. I’ve read his Right of First Refusal legislation; and I don’t think he’s just out for himself.

But honestly, do you really think ANY politician is not out for himself? Of course - that’s the career he chose. No matter who you wind up supporting, that’s the foundation.

I like your comments but sometimes I think you get too personal in your judgements. You seem to be judging each candidate you are opposed to by some personal experience, rather than also looking at the bigger picture of what he or she has accomplished.

In the end, that’s why it’s hard to use this interesting website as a basis for who to support. Sounds sometimes like personal vendetta’s. Just being candid. I’m not saying I don’t get a lot out of it. I do.

Neil Fabricant