I have respect for Anthony Weiner and Virginia Fields and Gifford Miller and Fernando Ferrer (though his Amadou Diallo gaffe was bad) for what they have done in service to the city. None are seemingly corrupt or bad people but for the life of me I cant figure out why in a city where Dems outnumber Republicans 5 or 6 to 1 that there isn't more excitement about this race. I think it is because these candidates are dull and speak in the New York version of Senate-ese...just stultifying political talk. I am worried that the election, which should be a no-brainer for a smart Dem candidate is going to go to Bloomberg by default.
I was/am an ardent Dean supporter and believe in the little guy. So I am asking for your advice and/or thoughts on this race. More in the extended text...
So, here I am. A life long New Yorker...born in an apartment on 9th between 1st and A in June 1973 to two life long New Yorkers.
Wasn't poor by any means but a far cry from rich. Went to Collegiate School for Boys (a fancy pants private school attended by JFK jr.) and then graduated from Stuyvesant. Went to SUNY Geneseo and got a degree in Comp. Literature.
Got a job at Food Network. Worked in program development for five years. Developed hit shows like Iron Chef and Good Eats (among others). Worked for a dot com that was a five blocks north of the WTC that layed off 70% of its staff in November 2001. I have collected unemployment in this city. I have bought a brownstone with my brother (with my parents help) in Harlem. I have done improv comedy with the Upright Citizens Brigade for nine years because I like it. My wife of nearly three years is a drama teacher at a private girls school on the Upper East side. Now I work as a freelance media consultant. I love this city. It is my home.
Because I also have a wonk side to me that is into just taxation...I also have been meeting with city officials in the Comptrollers office and The Department of Taxation for the last 18 months about tax reform for the city - by gradually implementing a Land Value Tax...a tax on the value of land and slowly removing the tax on the structure(s) on the land.
The site to site/plot to plot studies are showing that for most people(over 75%) in all five boroughs, taxes will go down while people who own under assed properties or people who hold valuable properties out use their taxes will go up from their incredibly low taxes. This tax, if implemeted, will spur growth and construction and job creation while stabilizing housing and rental prices while raising more revenue for the city.
(A Land Value Tax 101 diary will be coming next week, its a progressive tax that even Republicans can and should like)
The bureaucrats are interested and keep inviting us back and keep us doing studies so I know the idea isn't ridiculous.
So, here I am still...I know the city and its people. I am smart and have progressive ideas for the city and energy and can talk like a person nad inspire and convince pretty well. I know the issues and obviously would learn more. Obvously the odds are long, but I think I could do it really well and fight for New York better than the other candidates and Bloomberg. I am hell of a lot more likeable than any of them. And my media background makes me a bit more media trained than the other guys.
Should I run for mayor?
As I understand, the process of becoming a candidate is pretty byzantine and I haven't the foggiest of how that works. But I worked hard for Dean before Dean was anything so I know that great things can come of hard work guided by, reason and principle. I am inspired bY Jeff Seeman and Richard Morrison and Chuck Pennachio (among others) who are just people who decide to do it.
Or should I turn my efforts to making a candidate better?
Thoughts?
Thanks
stillman