Open Thread

What;

You really want to compare Mike Bloomberg to Mayor Lindsay? Lindsay never ran a business in his life and was completely clueless. Nonsense.

The suburbs are cheap? Really? Do you have any friends who live in the better suburbs of NJ and LI? Do you know what they pay in property tax? Thirty years ago, NJ used to have ZERO income tax and ZERO sales tax. Now their taxes are higher than NYC (NJ has a lower top marginal rate, but does not allow a deduction for mortgage interest, which is a big deal).

The US still is the world’s largest manufacturer. I have spent my entire career in the industrial sector, and spend my days visiting factories. We have outsourced lower-level manufacturing, and kept the higher-value-added stuff here. Moreover, the big money today is not in manufacturing,it is in more conceptual areas that require a higher IP. Where would you rather work these days: Google (or Microsoft, or Intel, or Cisco, or Yahoo) or a textile factory? What would you propose: that we all return to stting behind a sewing machine on 35th St and crank out sweaters?

Finally, what seems to bother you most is that racial relations HAVE improved substantially in the past couple of decades. A site like brownstoner would have been unthinkable in the NYC of the 70’s, where one was not even allowed to post a “For sale” sign in front of their house, lest the “wrong” kind of people find out about it. Why does it un-nerve you that the composition of your neighborhood is changing? Hmmmmm?

It felt like it could go bad in a heartbeat… – sorry.

Yes, Benson, I think people need reminding. Some folks forget to see it.
I usually go 4-5x during the season. So far I’ve only gone once this year. I’m going again tomorrow night.

DO NOT GO XMAS EVE…it’s a zoo!!

What, I’m telling you, it’s already started! I was in Penn Sta. Saturday night just before midnight, and it was just like the old days! Not a cop in sight, and the drugged out lunatics were coming OFF the train from NJ to go clubbing and the FREAKS were in the hallways on our way out to the street. It took me a little while to recognize the ‘feeling’ it had been souch a long time – of course then I was younger and braver/stupider = your pick, this time I was incredibly aware of the fact that I am now an effing middle-aged white lady! CRAP! When did THAT happen?

“IMHO, you are mixing up apples and oranges. The New York of the 70’s was due to an unfortunate combination of factors acting in concert against NYC and all urban areas, such as: a) the poor state of racial relations at that time; b) the change in large-scale manufacturing economics that made cities no longer suitable for such activity; c) the availability of cheap, undeveloped land in the suburbs; d) low prices for gas, making those suburbs reachable by car and e) a city government that was completely tone-deaf to the needs of businesses.”

Eh, Benson. I think those conditions are back.

a) the poor state of racial relations at that time;

What until everyone finds out that Obama is black. Just like in Blazing Saddles!

b) the change in large-scale manufacturing economics that made cities no longer suitable for such activity;

Those jobs are in other countries not and going to “job heaven” now. All we do is sell “investments’ to each other. We produce nothing Benson.

c) the availability of cheap, undeveloped land in the suburbs;

There is PLENTY cheap land in the burbs now! With the implosion of the Mutant Asset Bubble developer are walking away from land now!

d) low prices for gas, making those suburbs reachable by car

Eh Benson, do you own a car? Gas is very cheap right now! I haven’t seen these prices in 9 years. 189 for regular and yes the Asshats are going back to the burbs because crime will spike in the cities!

e) a city government that was completely tone-deaf to the needs of businesses.”

Mayor Bloomberg anyone…

Yep Benson the good old days of the 70’s are back! All we need is some polyester slacks and we are good!

The What

Someday this war is gonna end…