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Now that there are two runoff elections tomorrow—one for Public Advocate and the other for City Comptroller—it's believed that the city will shell out over $14 million (including matching funds to candidates) to hold the elections. And only 10% of the city's 3.1 million Democrats are expected to head to the polls.
This is all because no candidate in either race received 40% or more of the vote—Bill de Blasio bested Mark Green 32% to 31% in the PA race while John Liu received 38% of the Comptroller vote to David Yassky's 30%. The NY Times begs the question, "Are Runoffs Superfluous?" and finds out from some veteran politicians that the answer is yes: Current Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, who won her 2001 runoff, said, "It’s awful. What makes it so awful is that you have to raise a lot of money in that little time," while Fernando Ferrer, who lost the 2001 mayoral runoff to Mark Green, agreed, "Fund-raising is always distracting and absolutely necessary to be able to mount an effective campaign."
One suggestion is that NYC adopt an instant runoff system: When voters head to the polls on primary day, they can rank candidates in order of their preference. Gotham Gazette explains, "If no candidate receives a majority vote, then a series of runoffs are simulated using each voter’s preferences as indicated on the initial ballot. This eliminates a return trip to the poll, saving the taxpayers money that can go toward other much-needed city services." Here's an explanation from Fair Vote.
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Draw matchsticks. 0.49 cents.
How the SHIT can this cost $14 Million?!?
Is it me or does John Liu have that "would you buy a used car from this man" look about him...
It isn't you.
yassky is garbage - he supported over turning the term limits that the people voted for and he's been a friend of land developers over the communitry for the entire time he's been in office - PLEASE go away - I hope Liu wins
Liu received more money from real estate developers. And Liu is in the pockets' of ACORN and the working Family and will bankrupt this city.
The Fukien American Association is active in human trafficking, according to police testimony cited at the 1992 U.S. Senate hearings on Asia organized crime, which was cited in the book, Global Human Smuggling, by David Kyle and Rey Koslowski.
They are also affiliated with the Fuk Ching gang which is known for human trafficking, according to a report from the NIJ International Center, United Nation Activities.
The Epoch Times reported on Sept. 3 that the Fukien American Association held an event on June 3, 2009 that was attended by John Liu, Peng Keyu, and the association’s president, who were seated next to each other. The day after the Epoch Times cited the event in a Sept. 3 article, the Web page was removed, although copies of all photos previously on the site have been retained.
You would think the Public Advocate would advocate that this usage of taxpayer money is not in the publics best interest.
Oh, but the current system allows the incestuous liason of politicians and lawyers to keep living off of taxpayer dollars.
"On August 27, 2005 John Liu said the following of my brother Craig (who was an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan)
"Jing is a victim three times over. She is the victim of an abusive ... husband who beat and raped her," Liu said.
Of course no such thing ever occurred and John knew that the whole time because he personally attended my family court hearings and he personally heard the testimony that proved that these were baseless allegations.
http://queenscrap.blogspot.com/2009/09/well-john.html
As the article notes, this is an easy fix. We just adopt instant runoff/ alternative vote, which they have in San Francisco (New York even had proportional representation at one point, but it was too much of a challenge to the machine politicians that dominate here!).
Neither of the remaining candidates for Comptroller are particularly trustworthy with the city finances, so I'm debating myself whether its worth voting.
if you don't vote then you are voting for Liu since Acorn/Working family has lined up it members to vote for LIU.
Unlike his opponent, John Liu, Yassky understands New York's need for fiscal constraints. Most significantly, he supports a new, less lavish pension tier for future city employees; Liu won't even consider anything less generous.
Indeed, he prefers to fund existing benefits by finding new "revenue streams" (read: taxes). He's also pressing for increased spending on mass transit without explaining how he'd pay for it.
We have differences with some of Yassky's proposals and expect that will continue. But he's by far the more sensible of the two candidates -- which is critical, when you're talking about oversight over a $60 billion budget and an $83 billion pension fund.
Make no mistake: This is a key race.
A victory for Liu would surely embolden the WFP and Big Labor and hand them enormous power.
We can't state it strongly enough: Democrats should turn out tomorrow and make sure to vote for David Yassky.
Machine politics? New York municipal pols are kittens. Move to Chicago...turning over term limits with the help of city council ain't nothing compared to single-handedly destroying an airport in the middle of the night. Y'all don't know graft and corruption...
if one can't see Yassky is garbage then they deserve what they get. he has developer money in his wallet and the most important thing, he voted to overturn term limits.
yeah, and developers do bad things too, felix the cat.
inhumane things.
We need more people like Liu, not less.
Vote for Liu. it's good for you.
Less liars as liu. Google epoch times liu and read about his sleezy connections