Christine Quinn’s Political Chagrin

Christine Quinn is leaving many people scratching their political heads and raising serious questions about her sense of decency and common sense. In her State of the City address she recognizes the looming financial hardships the city will face in the coming years, however, some of her ideas and actions lead the public to believe that she doesn’t quite understand the meaning of “fiscal crisis”.

I’m no William Jennings Bryant and lord knows Quinn is no Abe Lincoln but to use $12K in taxpayer’s money to buy a speech is criminal. Christine Quinn paying money for a speech is as productive as me hiring the New York Philharmonic to play in front of a deaf crowd. Seriously, how many New Yorkers heard what Quinn had to say? More importantly, you can’t ask the public to tighten its belt when you frivolously spend THEIR money on a speech. The best is when David Weprin (Finance Committee) defends Quinn by rationalizing that it would have cost the city more to have a full time staff member writing speeches. And David wants to be Comptroller? Lord Help Us! Hey Christine and David, here is a novel idea, WRITE YOUR OWN SPEECH! That $12k could have went a long way to feed the homeless or the elderly.

Quinn also wants to give renters a $300 rebate check costing the city millions of dollars adding to and compounding the impending deficit. I have nothing against renters but the reason homeowners are getting a $400 dollar rebate check is because the city raised our property taxes by 18%! Honestly, I would give back my $400 rebate check if the city promised to roll back the property tax increases and therefore, maybe Quinn should make an effort to control rent prices instead of creating political gimmicks disguised as rebate checks.

Even her attempt for campaign contribution reform is nothing more than a futile attempt to better position herself for her upcoming bid for mayor. Quinn wants the public to believe that she is the champion of transparency in government and the Joan of Arc of fighting special interests. However, the special interest of Quinn is to make sure any her political opponents have a hard time raising funds to mount effective campaigns. Don’t be fooled by the words “campaign reform” when they are spoken by Quinn because what those words really mean are “no cash for my opponents”

I think Christine Quinn should get her $12k back because the speech was worth about $1.25 ($2.75 in Canada). It was a self-aggrandizing mayoral stump speech disguised as a State of the City speech. The Speaker of the City Council is a dangerous political hack with lofty aspirations. Everything she does is an effort to propel her to higher office and she doesn’t care about the ramifications of her actions.

Let’s remember her shameful tactics in the mayoral elections. Go Ray Kelly!

NY Daily News Article: Council Speaker Quinn's State of City speech will cost taxpayers $12K

NY Sun Article: Quinn Positions Herself For Mayoral Race