New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has reached an interesting conclusion about his tenure as the leader of the nation's largest city: He is indispensable.
That's why Bloomberg, who has served two terms but is barred by law from seeking a third, is asking his city council to extend the limit on years in municipal office from eight years to 12 years.
Bloomberg maintains that his continued leadership of New York City is vital because of the ongoing financial crisis that is affecting the city's financial-services industry. Apparently no one else is capable of handling that challenge. …
Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who rescued the city from crime and degradation, was forced from office by term limits not long after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the city. An indisputably great mayor, Giuliani felt he was indispensable to helping the city recover and sought an extension of his term of office from state legislators. But Giuliani's request was denied, and he was followed in office by Bloomberg, who now is claiming that he's even more indispensable than Giuliani thought he was. … Bloomberg's request may ultimately be granted. … But no one should vote for it on the grounds that Bloomberg or any other egotistical politician has to remain in office for the city to survive. - The News-Gazette (Champaign, Ill. )
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