Ron Lauder Has Zero Authority On Term Limits

Whatever credibility Ron Lauder had with the people of New York and the issue of term limits is now gone. The billionaire can profit off of all the make-up he wants, but needs to stay far away from this issue. Not only is he a sell-out, Lauder has deluded himself into thinking that his idea of extending term limits for Mr. Bloomberg and the current Council is legitimate and/or a smart thing to do.

From The NY Times:

Mr. Lauder, under pressure from friends and Mr. Bloomberg himself, said early last week that he would agree to a temporary revision of the term limits law, which would allow current officeholders to serve three four-year terms.

Mr. Lauder, who bankrolled the 1993 campaign to create term limits in New York City, pointed to the deepening financial crisis, which he said required Mr. Bloomberg’s steady hand.

But when Mr. Bloomberg, a fellow billionaire, and Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn announced last Thursday a plan to allow the City Council to revise the law, Mr. Lauder was upset to learn that they envisioned a permanent change, rather than a one-time exception.

“If there is a permanent change, I will fight it,” Mr. Lauder said in a telephone interview on Sunday night. “As far as I am concerned, it’s a one-time only exception. That is it.”

We know it is illegal, city lawyers are well aware of this and that is why Bloomberg is advocating for a permanent change. Lauder naively believes that:

“I am sure there are legal issues,” Mr. Lauder said, “but I am sure there are ways around it.”

Uh, no Mr. Lauder, there isn't a way around it. Try substituting Bloomberg for Giuliani and maybe, just maybe you'll start to understand what the big deal is here. You can't and you won't temporarily change the law for a single individual, even if his name is Michael Bloomberg, especially if his name is Michael Bloomberg.

Why you would think a man so intricately tied into the Wall Street culture would be beneficial for us is ridiculous. Millions of New Yorkers and Americans are suffering from the repercussions of malfeasance and greed do not need an insider that gives wealthy developers and real estate executives the keys to our city on a daily basis. Seven, going on eight years has been enough...and we've heard enough out of you Ron. Now go make your special deal with the Mayor as the rest of figure out how to keep some semblance of democracy in our city.