January 18, 2005
City Council Wonders About NYC Secession
Hmm, remember, in the throes of the Republican National Convention, last August, when political tempers flared and the weather was so so so so much warmer, New York magazine ran a story about the feasibility (and reasons why) NYC should secede? Apparently, the possibility of NYC seceding is not such a wacky idea, as the City Council is considering a bill that would propose a commission to study exactly that. The Post reports that the bill was first introduced by Councilman Peter Vallone in February 2003, but nothing has happened since. He told the Post he was surprised it was sitting there so long and added that with all that Pataki has done not to help the city "This may be our only viable option." Gothamist wonders if Puerto Rico would become the 51st state before New York City; or maybe we should be a different municipality, like D.C. or the United Nations. NYC was once the capital of the country, after all.
In one bellwhether of city-state interests in the bigger political context, Mayor Bloomberg isn't going to the inauguration but Governor Pataki is. And Gothamist loved the pretend currency that New York magazine designed for the secession article (above); yorks, heh.
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Any money with woody on it will work for me, although it should not be accepted at daycare centers. He is the origin of my pseudonymn, you know.
If it can work for Singapore and Hong Kong (sort of) than NYC can exist as it's own nation. It would be a highly-profitable and culturally unique place, that's certain. Without the US Constitution hanging overhead, they could finally clean up crime and maybe Riker's island will just be sunk entirely in the process. And maybe annoying tourists from Pennsylvania would think twice about visiting the city because they would need to go through the arguous process of getting a US Passport.
By the way, if anyone wants to be artsy/crafty and make a "Republic of New York" t-shirt, I would totally buy one.
Maybe we'd finally get the money we pay in state taxes back. From what I've read, NYC subsidizes NYS. It's not just the Schools that get short changed.
BTW: IMO, Puerto Rico becoming a State would be a Big mistake but that's a topic for another comment.
Woody Allen's image on Money?? I shudder at the thought. IMO, Repeat IMO, he's a dirty Old man.
Ben Franklin was a dirty old man too; he's on money.
Well let's not leave out Thomas Jefferson whom apparently fathered children with Sally Henning (His Wife's half sister), a slave, refused to set free said children too.
Now, I could be mistaken, But Ben Franklin didn't sleep with someone whom he had a Father-Daughter relationship with. Nor did he take explicit photo's of her (But I bet he would have had technology allowed!). Regardless of Franklin being a Dirty Old man (From what I've read he sure qualifies) he contributed to the Political lancscape of Society, was a good diplomat, and quite an inventor. I suppose that qualifies him.
What's Woody Allen Done? Help Tourism in New York? (A definate public Service) Made a stereotype which he seems to play over and over again? In any case, him on the "Republic of New York" (I'd buy a Tee shirt too!) is pure Satire, even if it makes Me Shudder.
>>>>Now, I could be mistaken, But Ben Franklin didn't sleep with someone whom he had a Father-Daughter relationship with.
SD, to quote homer simpson (on chief justice/sleazy male stripper earl warren), "now who's being naive here?"
Moi? naive?
;)
Would companies still keep their banks on wall street? Perhaps they would move to NJ for tax reasons. Besides tradition, what would keep companies here?
Also, we most certainly DON'T want to end up like DC, which has NO VOTING POWER in congress. Look at how the administration is currently bullying them with the inauguration. Also, I don't think DC is a shining beacon for anything, last I heard it was underfunded and crime riddled.
I guess statehood seems like the best option.
Proving once again, that given enough time, Norman Mailer is always right.
Companies would stay here because the money they are paying in property taxes would be used on things like the subway, which would be less prone to breaking down with more money in the system and make workers more productive and on time. Just an example.
I think the big issue with this is not that it would pass -- it soooo wouldn't -- but to put pressure on Pataki. Could you imagine Pataki trying to run for reelection with the possibility that, if elected, the citizens of New York State would have their taxes enormously increased? There's no way he would get 40% of the vote at that point, especially against Spitzer.
So? Where's the rest of the denominations, Gothamist?
The Spike Fin? The Robert "muy" Dinero?
Does Harvey Weinstein merit some face time on some gish?
I want Gilbert Gottfried's face on money!
Hop to!
Woody Allen is too upper, upper East Sidey for the money thing although he looks downtowny to me. I'd prefer pictures of things like the museums, etc., in New York City on the money.
I certainly would not like Woody Allens stuffed into any pocket of my Calvins.
Sign me up! I am sick and tired of funding the rest of this backward ass country. They suck on our teet and then tell us we have no morals. No taxation without representation! NYC'ers pay some of the highest taxes and have some of the smallest representation in our Federal government.
I suggest that Hamilton and Teddy R, as historical NY'ers, with the Met, Brooklyn Bridge and Rockerfella Center sites as potential currency design motifs.
Where is Worth1000.com when you need it?
Sorry for the BLATANT capitalist post, but I've had these shirts for sale for so long, and I've sold, oh, one . . .
I thought folks might find this interesting, what with news being what it is, and the possibility for REAL secession.
http://www.cafepress.com/secedenewyork
Thanks!
I'm game, too. Where do I get my NYC passport? Not too thrilled about the "Republic of New York" name on the bill, though. Reminds me too much of, um, the other guys. Can't we come up with something better? How about the New York Confederation? Then we can keep the familiar NYC initials. Nah, reminds me too much of those southern guys. The New York Consortium, maybe? Put City Hall on the back of the bill instead of the White House. US Treasury regulations allow only deceased people on money and there's no reason not to follow that rule, so instead of Woody, why not Fiorello LaGuardia or Peter Stuyvesant? Heck, who needs paper money? Doesn't American Express already have an NYC card?
How's about The People's Republic of New York City.
I've kinda been hopin' for a Brooklyn secession, but I can hop on this bandwagon too.
We could have people on the front of the notes, and buildings on the back. I don't think there is a shortage of either. I suppose the Statue of Liberty is kind of both. Or maybe the Lions out front of the NYC library.
We just have to ensure that we aren't persuaded to make coins for 1 and 2 of the currency like the Pound AND the Euro - such a stupid idea, give me a dollar bill anytime.
Maybe I should just make my own T-Shirt...
Yeah I'm all for this, but 2 questions:
1. Would people from Connecticut need a U.S. passport to get to the Hampton's?
2. Can we somehow pawn off Staten Island on Jersey and make it seem like a concession?
If NYC secedes, we should definitely try to stay a part of the US and become the District of NY. That way we can remain a self governing territory. As long as we are part of the US, we shouldn't have as many problems maintaining our current connections with other states including upstate NY. We wouldn't need passports either.
We should definitely give up Staten Island to NJ. Who needs the whiny little pricks anyway? We would be better off with Long Island if we can get it. They're whiny little pricks too but at least you don't have to cross a bridge to smack em around a bit. At least not from Brooklyn and Queens. And they make more money so we can at least get something back on taxes. Long Island can be the new 5th boro.