Article Archive

Edward C. Sullivan

Edward C. Sullivan served in the New York State Assembly from 1977 to 2002.

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

When Rick Santorum uttered these words in a political debate last week, a gasp rippled through the audience. They were stunned, not so much at the content of what he said, but at the fact that he said it at all. The naked truth is as arresting as the naked body, partially because its appearance is almost as rare, and partially because it forces us to deal with reality. Reality is always a little unnerving.

The reality of the naked body can be, and usually is, covered over with clothes. The reality of the naked truth can be, and often is, covered over with myths, suppositions and traditions. It is a major myth of American politics that elected officials of our democratic structures, local, state and Federal, gather in the capital, discuss ideas that are presented for action, and then vote on those ideas, each according to his or her conscience.

There is also the counter myth, which is that elected officials are all bribed by those who contribute to their campaigns, and vote according to the bribers' wishes. "Team sport" is not mentioned in the myths.

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

Edward C. Sullivan

Edward C. Sullivan served in the New York State Assembly from 1977 to 2002.

Friday, February 24th, 2012

These are the words inscribed on coins of the French Republic since the 19th Century to remind the French people that their nation has a purpose, a raison d'etre - not merely to survive, but to advance the principles which those words convey.

Despite the current aversion in the United States to anything French, an aversion held mostly by my more jingoistic compatriots, the fact remains that the French and American revolutions are linked, in history and in attitude. Together our two nations dispatched the royal family as the sovereign foundation of the state, and replaced it with the sovereignty of the entire people.

The people are sovereign in the French Republic. The people are sovereign in the American Republic.

This fundamental sisterhood has united our two nations many times over the years since 1776 and 1789, and, allowing for petty quarreling as befits sisters and brothers, the sense of family persists.

Mugging in Paradise

Edward I. Koch

Edward Koch served as New York City Mayor from 1978 to 1989.

Friday, February 24th, 2012

Justice Stephen Breyer, a member of the liberal wing of the U.S. Supreme Court, has a vacation home on the Caribbean paradise island nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the West Indies. Last week the Times reported: "Justice Breyer was in his vacation home with his wife, Joanna, and guests when [a] man entered the home around 9 p.m. The man took about $1,000 in cash and fled."

I read elsewhere that the man was armed with a machete and that the Justice and his wife were playing bridge with guests.

The incident recalled for me the time I was running for mayor of New York City. The year was 1977. Crime was rampant at the time in the city as opposed to today. New York City now is probably the safest big city in America with the lowest crime rate in the country for big cities. One of the street jokes back in the bad old days was that a conservative was a liberal who had just been mugged.

The Last Yard

The Art of Finessing Differences to Reach a Settlement

Peter Goodman

Peter Goodman is a career teacher, trade unionist and educational consultant. He writes the Ed in the Apple blog.

Friday, February 10th, 2012

Labor disputes end with labor, management and the electeds standing together on the stage agreeing that the settlement is good for children, good for teachers and good for the city, unless the goal is not to reach a settlement.

Unions must convince their membership to vote for the agreement, school boards and electeds must convince the media and eventually the public that the agreement benefits the “people.”

In 1995 the teacher union in New York City, the mayor and the board of education were negotiating for months. The rumors hinted at an increase of three or four percent. In the waning days of August an agreement was announced, a five year contract with no increase in the first two years, referred to as the “double zero” contract. The membership voted down the contract. (Months later they approved the same contract.)

Longevity: Blessing or Curse?

How Does Government Pay

For Services People Want?

Henry J. Stern

Henry J. Stern is the founder and president of New York Civic.

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

One recurring problem in government is the shortage of funds needed to meet reasonable demands for services by the public.

This situation occurs for a number of reasons. One, when payment is made by a third party demand for services increases substantially; the more that is provided, the greater the level of expectation for additional services. These demands, although costly are not inherently unreasonable. But the question is where to draw the line?