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.

Lauder Falls In Line For Bloomberg's Attempt At 3rd Term

Ron Lauder, who's family name is better known for make-up, decided to flip sides on the issue of term limits. He had donated his time and money towards the cause of keeping term limits they way they are for most of this month. Now that Wall Street is in a panic and we are in a new year (L' Shanah Tovah everyone) the wealthy Upper East Side billionaire is backing another wealthy Upper East Side billionaire that also happens to be the current Mayor.

From The NY Post:

Mayor Bloomberg geared up to seek a third term after the path to four more years was cleared yesterday when billionaire term-limits advocate Ron Lauder vowed to support a change in the law that would allow Hizzoner to run again, The Post has learned.

In a surprise move, Lauder said in an exclusive interview with The Post that he would back a one-time extension from eight years to 12 years because he feels the city needs Bloomberg to help steer it through these perilous fiscal times.

Lauder's stunning move comes at a time when Bloomberg, according to sources, has told top aides he intends to seek a third term.

"I've been reading that Mayor Bloomberg might be interested in serving a third term," the cosmetics heir said.

"Because of the unprecedented times, this is welcome news. To me, Mayor Bloomberg's brilliance in the financial sector, particularly Wall Street, would be invaluable."

Invaluable to whom Mr. Lauder? Seriously, spare me the excuses of turning your back on the will of the voters in NYC that put these limits in place. Just like when people like you recommended that Rudy stay in past his term because of 9/11, it is ridiculous that we circumvent the rule of law simply because Wall Street screwed up. On top of that, it is people of Bloomberg's ilk that put us in this mess to begin with. What New York needs is a leader, not more of this media manager that favors corporatism over the people of the city.