Progressive Democrat Issue 44: NYC FOCUS

Here we go folks. Ferrer is our candidate. Ferrer is our man. Let’s build that coalition, build that enthusiasm, retake our city. We can’t wait and neither can our city.

My step-daughter calls Bloomberg “the Grinch.” He looks like the Grinch and he acts like the Grinch. I find it embarrassing that he represents our city. As I outlined last issue, in almost every way he has failed our city. Sure, he isn’t as bad as Bush. But that is a pretty damned low standard. He is adequate, no more. Do we want to settle for just adequate? Our city deserves better.

Is Ferrer the person to do better? Honestly, I don’t know yet. But one thing I DO know is that Freddy Ferrer, as Bronx Borough President, was in touch with the people, talked to the people. He won’t be the dictator that Bloomberg has been. Ferrer also is much more representative of New Yorkers than Billionaire CEO Bloomberg. Ferrer, to me, looks, acts and talks like a real New Yorker. To use a standard often used on a national scale, I would MUCH rather sit down and have a beer with Freddy Ferrer than sip cocktails with Mike Bloomberg. And, for that matter, I get the feeling Freddy Ferrer would be willing to have a beer with me while Mike Bloomberg is only interested in sipping cocktails with rich developers.

To quote the same person whose diary I quoted in the Thoughts section:

“In some ways NYC needs to see Ferrer win in order to understand why Ferrer should win.”

I think this may be true. Electing Ferrer will restore New York to New Yorkers. It will deliver us from being run by developers and rich Republicans. It will recognize the diversity of NYC. And once we have elected him, Freddy Ferrer will then have to show us how a real New Yorker runs NYC.

You and I need to work our asses off to elect Freddy Ferrer because Bloomberg is trying to buy the election. I don’t know about you, but I find it kind of disgusting when someone thinks he can buy the city I live in. Elections are supposed to be decided by the people, not bought by the rich. Let’s show America that this is still true.

Marjorie and I are in contact with Ferrer’s Brooklyn organizer, Paul Thomas. We are trying to help him build a coalition and to SHAPE that coalition. This is our chance as progressives to tell the Ferrer campaign what WE want. But to do that we also have to be OFFERING something. Paul Thomas is very open to listening to us. He asked me extensively about local politics and politicians and I gave him my view. He listened, of course, because I am offering to help organize Brooklyn. Give-and-take. That is what we have to do. We need to offer our time and money and ideas…in return they will listen to us and, we hope, let us help shape their campaign.

You can contact the Ferrer campaign through his website.

Or, contact me and I can try and put you in touch with the right person in his campaign for your Borough and/or your issue.

Or you can contact the group Boot Bloomberg Out of Town.

For those who live in Brooklyn, Marjorie and I are arranging an initial get together with Paul Thomas, Ferrer’s man in Brooklyn, to talk and strategize. It will be Thurs, 9/29 in Park Slope. Please contact me if you are interested in attending. It will be a good way to start our coalition building.

And PLEASE, everyone get active in your closest DFNYC or Drinking Liberally group and discuss in those groups coalition building and electing Ferrer.