The New York Times-20080124-In Washington- Bloomberg Says Politics Is the Problem
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In Washington, Bloomberg Says Politics Is the Problem
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York City intensified his attacks on the political leadership here on Wednesday, pointing to what he called the government's failure to fix immigration policy and other problems of immediate concern to the nation.
In a speech before a group of his fellow mayors, Mr. Bloomberg described Washington politicians as shortsighted and said their priorities often reflected crass political calculations rather than sound policy judgments.
We all know that spending decisions in Washington are driven by whatever will attract votes and campaign cash, he said in criticizing the government for running up enormous budget deficits over the last few years.
Mr. Bloomberg's comments come as he and his aides contemplate whether he should embark on a third-party presidential candidacy this year.
While maintaining that he is not a candidate, Mr. Bloomberg offered a speech before the United States Conference of Mayors that was clearly intended to reinforce the notion that he represents a more pragmatic style of leadership distinct from the partisanship of Washington.
For example, he told his audience that he had recently joined a nonpartisan coalition of mayors and governors that planned to advocate for less politically motivated federal spending on highways, roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
The problem isn't that we're not investing enough in infrastructure, said Mr. Bloomberg, who recently became an independent after leaving the Republican Party. It's that we're investing badly. It's time we start spending on the infrastructure America needs, not the pork-barrel projects politicians want.
He was also critical of the economic stimulus package that is currently being negotiated by Congress and the White House. That package is expected to include tax rebates that policymakers hope will encourage spending that would, in turn, help jump-start the economy.
But Mr. Bloomberg called that approach shortsighted and argued that the stimulus package should include help for homeowners who are facing foreclosure. The most important and immediate economic relief we can offer is to help people who are in danger of losing their homes stay in their homes, he said. What good is a rebate going to do for a family who is about to lose their home?
He also used the speech to rebuke Congress for failing to enact a new immigration policy that would secure the nation's borders and ensure that businesses have access to skilled and unskilled workers from abroad. Illegal immigration has become the pandering politician's best friend, he said.
[Illustration]PHOTO: Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, speaking to a group of mayors, said policy was suffering.(PHOTOGRAPH BY J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/ASSOCIATED PRESS)