So, Michael Bloomberg, to quote Teddy, is tossing his hat in the ring, and I for one am glad.
He was my neighbor for many years before and after he became Mayor of New York, so I got to observe Mike, up close and personal.
I liked how he went into the Nectar Coffee Shop same as every day before elected to get his own coffee, leaving his security detail outside. He knew the cook and waiters by name, and tipped appropriately, never flaunting his wealth.
He helped a lot after September 11th, opening up office space for what was left of Cantor Fitzgerald who lost 658 workers, 68% of its workforce, and did it quietly.
When a young man working in the neighborhood was killed during a random robbery, a memorial fund for aspiring writers was set up in Nick’s name. If it didn’t meet its annual quota, Mr. Bloomberg always made up the difference.
He underwrote a little mom and pop shop whose landlord tripled their rent they could ill afford after losing all their retirement savings during the financial crisis. They never knew it was him, but some of us did.
When Pat, the local window washer, was fatally struck by a car, Mike held a little service in Central Park where he memorialized Pat with his name on his favorite bench. We had Pepsi, pretzels and donuts, because it was Pat’s favorite fare.
They say God is in the details, and I’d say Mr. Bloomberg is his ardent representative.
Unlike our present president, he extends himself to others without boast nor swagger, swapping them for kindness and humility.
Which brings me to why Mr. Bloomberg decided to run. He said, Donald Trump is simply not fit for the office that he holds and represents an unprecedented threat to our nation.
That statement was enough for me since, not as politically articulate as my former Mayor, I think Trump treats the Oval more like a squash court, having no respect for his predecessors.
Teddy sat there, and FDR, and who could forget JFK’s iconic remark during the 1962 dinner honoring Noble Prize Winners...I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent of human knowledge at the White House, with the possible exception of when Jefferson dined alone.
Occupying that space is a grace and a privilege, and the person who sits behind that noble desk, is there strictly for us.
It’s not about you Mr. Trump.
When they asked John Quincy Adams, our 6th President, son of John, our 2nd, after he went back into the House of Representatives, the only president to do so, what party he belonged to, Mr. Adams said…
I belong to no party. I represent the people.
Michael Bloomberg isn’t perfect, because no one is, but I’ll gladly toss my hat in the ring next to his, over another four years of embarrassing leadership come this November.
Long may she wave…NO MATTER WHAT! 
SB
I have always admired Mike Bloomberg for his abilities and willingness to serve. I wish him well, but don’t think his party is going to give up the socialist agenda for his obvious qualifications. It is clear to me that the very people being vilified by several candidates will have Mike in their sights. He is, after all, the consummate capitalist. I agree he would return the office to a dignified position and hope he fairs well.
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I’m simpler in my views I guess, and feel more desperate. I can’t bear what’s happening as apolitical as I claim to be. My knowledge of history humbles me as I witness the Trump Dog and Pony show. MB at least comes with some gravitas rather than just pure mean spirited tendencies. It shouldn’t just be about winning, but serving, and if that makes me sound like an asshole John, so be it.
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I like what you have to say, Susannah. I guess I’m an asshole too. 😊
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I’m not political. Like you’d never see me in a protest line, however, I am patriotic to a fault and feel kindness and altruism could change the world. Those little personal stories I shared about him (Bloomberg), speak of the kind of person he is beneath all that wealth and privilege. He’s a worthy opponent for our 49th Leader of the Free World, well, it was last I knew.
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I think he deserves a shot. It may be a long one but it would be nice to see him in office.
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There’s no telling what will be. No one ever thought Mr. Trump would get elected.
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It may be wise to reserve a holiday wish for the eventuality.
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No Reservations. That was a great show.
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Thanks for sharing your sincere and eloquent perspective. Good stuff!
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Kindness means a lot to me. Makes a huge impression. 🙂
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In many ways, we are cut from the same cloth. For me, that’s a good thing. 🙂
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I know very little about capitalism so if Mike Bloomberg practices that, I still feel he’s an improvement from what we have. They’ve trashed everyone else. Bloomberg is a worthy opponent on many levels. He and our president know each other pretty well. He’ll stand up to all the shenanigans with a whip and a chair. I feel so sorry for Biden. They’ve shredded him. And Warren is so angry. I don’t know Frank, I just want to feel good about our country again. No one is reading this, so I’m graced that you have. Thanks.
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The country is so partisan now, I’m not sure (and sadly so) that it can be patched. The mindset seems to be “our way or the highway” .. scary and depressing … so I see your point. Meanwhile, good people have to stick together!
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We need to be the change we want to say, to quote dear Mr. Gandhi.
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Having been one who helped put Mr. Trump into the Oval office, I feel I have a right to speak out when I find that my hopes, though well-based, were not met – at all. Mr. Trump has not, in my humble opinion, done anything he said he would, at least, not in the way I thought he should – if that. I still do not feel we are worse off than we would have been under Hilary. That future still scares me more than this one. However, I am so glad to hear that, whatever party he runs under, we now have someone who sounds and acts like the President I have always hoped to have. Perfect? You are right, no; however, his election appears to present a breath of fresh air to a people who have come as close to a dictatorship as I ever hope to see.
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I didn’t want Hillary either and I too am sorry T is such a disappointment. The world is just spinning too fast for me. I want to feel protected. I want to know honesty prevails. Maybe those examples of Mike Bloomberg’s largesse seem silly, but they speak to me. Always have, and I’ve had issues will him since, he likes knocking things down, doesn’t regard the old with the respect it deserves, often thinking of him as the Robert Moses of our time who, in his era, razed so many structures that bleated history like 110 Columbia Heights, where The Roeblings lived, masterminding the building of our majestic Brooklyn Bridge, along with The original Brooklyn Eagle where Walt Whitman served as editor. So my point is, Mike’s not perfect either, but he does have more integrity and we are so down a quart across the board. Thanks for reading and commenting. It’s doing poorly. I’m going to change the title.
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Perhaps doing poorly is more the state of the readers and not a true reflection of your post. I just tagged you in my latest post, spawned from reading this one.
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Thank you. That was nice of you.
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I believe it. You write very well.
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Trump was supposed to be that populist anomaly who swept in and took a scissor to all that red tape. Instead, he’s an autocrat who seeks more power through division. And I’ll get off my soapbox now by saying simply . .
I’m with you on this!
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Of course all I see here is red tape in true anal mode, needing to coo its origins. During the Civil War when soldiers and their families went to Washington to see about back pay, all their records were wrapped in red tape. Of course some say it originated in England but, I like to think it came from us. 🙂
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I think we perfected it.
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I’ll accept that.
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Thanks for sharing your perspective on Bloomberg. I’m rather tired of old white guys in the White House, personally. But if he should become the nominee, he’ll have my vote. I hear there was combat in Berkeley. As my hubby said, “Trump isn’t the Messiah or the devil. How can it be we’ve come to this?”
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I don’t know, but we need help. I only shared what I know of MB. He’s a decent sort of man. Again, he’s not perfect, but he’ll go toe-to-toe with Mr. Trump who he knows quite well. Who else is there? I feel for Biden who’s lost one son and has had another dragged through the mud. And Bernie, though likeable, just doesn’t cross the finish line for me. Ms Warren? You could light candles with her anger. The election at the very least, will be very interesting. Thanks for commenting. I’m sure I’ve pissed off quite a few Trumpets.
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I wouldn’t worry about that. There’s plenty of anger going on out there already. I’m pretty much sitting out this horse race for now. No one is lighting me on fire.
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Pausing is good. You get to see the whole field that way in its truth and entirety.
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That’s a very interesting perspective, Susannah. I never knew you lived that close to him. It will be interesting to see how things shape up with the primary in the next six months.
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His townhouse was right around the corner from me. One minute he was just a neighbor, the next the Mayor. He’s very smart and takes no prisoners. I remember him boycotting some event because they were rude to Loraine Bracco when she was on the Sopranos. Some type of Italian slur. He stands up. We like that.
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After reading this, he will have my vote.
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I just shared those stories to show if nothing else, he does have humanity which seems on the lam these days. sigh
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I’m trying to keep a balance and hold on, watching what takes place. The frightful thing to me is this; there are some good candidates out there…but the parties turn everything into a war with no holds barred. Parties have lost their sense of what is good for the country rather than what is good for the party (or for each individual party member with power) and it’s totally revolting. Bloomberg has great credentials but he will have no say-so…nor will anyone else. A most sad state of affairs and who carries enough weight/power to change it? Integrity seems lost in politics. We, the people are losers as is the United States of America. I just read Sweden handles their leaders just like the ordinary citizens.
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We will just need to hope for the best.
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