Mayor Bloomberg has been very busy ramrodding his term limits extension through the Council in the last couple of weeks. However, he's had some extra time to go campaigning for his favorite candidates running in other races that will be decided this year. The ex-Democrat, ex-Republican and now "Independent" Mayor Mike tends to favor Republicans, especially those that like to give lots of money to the rich (a favorite hobby of our Mayor). So no wonder that Monday night he showed up in Fairfield County, Connecticut for the lone Republican Congressman in New England, Christopher Shays.
From The Huffington Post:
Wow that sounds delicious, though not worth one single penny that goes to helping Shays. Though there is something important here to notice.
Westport, Conn. -- "I will say it's nice to know that all of his constituents live well, have great views, good food. I had a beer inside, it was very good. Thank you. A number of you I've met, actually. I've met a number of people here I used to work with years and years ago, so it was fun to catch up with some old acquaintances and people I met at the last event for Chris -- and people I will meet again two years from now at the next fundraiser for Chris Shays." New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's opening remarks to the laughter and amusement of the crowd at a Westport fundraiser for U.S. Congressman Christopher Shays.[...]
The setting of the fundraiser was classic New England: cocktails by the pool overlooking a great expanse of manicured lawn and the Long Island Sound. The attendees supped on a dinner of Grilled Salmon, Lemon Chicken, Roasted Butternut Squash, Orzo Salad and cookies for dessert served to 200 attendees who paid between $250 to $2,300 per person. The Shays camp expects to raise more than $100,000 to help fund its race against the Democratic Candidate Jim Himes.
Christopher Shays' judgment is Rock Solid, said Bloomberg. "Chris works across the aisle in a non-partisan way and is well equipped to deal with the financial problems of today. With the Wall Street crisis we will not be able to get out of this crisis easily, it will be hard work and non-partisans have been able to appeal on the facts and reason, instead of partisan politics. Some days I don't always agree with everything that is said or sometimes anything that is said..." Bloomberg waxed philosophical about expecting people to fail. He expects his own employees to fail, and learn, and wants people who are able to take risks. He spoke of Shays not always voting the party line, how Shays looks out for his constituents and voted with Bush only 52% of the time (the Himes Campaign has it more like 80% with Republicans, but who is quibbling with Mike).Christopher Shays stated that if New York City doesn't do well, Connecticut won't do well either, referring to the Tri-State NYC area that is dependent on the stability of the financial markets. After the podium speeches, the New York press corps asked about Bloomberg's attempt to extend the term limits set by the voters.
This evening had some jarring differences from a press event recently held by Shays' Congressional competitor, Jim Himes. He and US Congressional Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi hosted an event with a family which was struggling financially with a job loss and high medical bills. They focused on the difficulties of living paycheck to paycheck, and how Obama and Democratic legislators would work in particular for people without health insurance.
I'm picking this great article apart (so go read it in full) for good reason. You see, Chris Shays and Mike Bloomberg have a lot in common. Both give generously to the wealthy despite only one being a billionaire. Both favor economic policies that pull the rich and the poor further apart. Both think that their way of doing things is going to help Americans, while both New Yorkers and the country at large is hurting ever more so as the pro-corporate agenda is religiously followed (Fairfield County is a different matter altogether). And most importantly, both are completely full of shit.
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