Ruben Diaz on Fear, Faith and Term Limits

New Yorkers need to recall that when Michael Bloomberg came into office without prior elected experience and right after the 9/11 attacks on New York City, we had confidence that a new Mayor could rise to the occasion with the support of the electorate to govern this City.

Why should we, like frightened children, abandon faith in our democratic system now? Was it not our democratic system that expressed the will of the people when we voted, by referendum in 1993 and in 1996 for term limits? That faith in the democratic ideals should require the term limits to stand as it exists.

Why should we run – every time there is a crisis – to the sanctuary or comfort of an already elected leader who will stay longer than the democratic process permits – now from an economic crisis?

Why should we view Mayor Michael Bloomberg as the financial “Savior” of New York City’s economic crisis when these problems have all occurred during the past 7 years – on his watch?