Posted on 06/23/2004 8:26:09 PM PDT by Steven J. Shaw
Over the coming weeks and months, we are likely to hear several ideas for honoring Ronald Reagan’s presidency: from putting his likeness on the $10 bill to adding that famous smile to Mt. Rushmore. While these are all thoughtful symbolic gestures, the best way for Americans to honor his legacy is to continue the economic policies he championed. Here in New York City, that means lowering taxes and limiting regulations on businesses so we can create jobs, grow our economy, and enable New Yorkers to build better lives for themselves and their families.
President Reagan once said, “Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.” He was referring to a bloated federal government in 1986, but he may just as well have been talking about New York City’s government today, as Mayor Bloomberg has turned our City into his own high-tax, high-regulation fiefdom.
Since entering office a little more than two years ago, Mayor Bloomberg has increased the real estate tax, income tax, sales tax, and cigarette tax, not to mention every fine and fee in the book. Further, he wants to regulate everything that moves, from the Mister Softee ice cream truck to the decibel level generated by an air conditioner to an ashtray in a private office.
New York City is already one of the most expensive places in the world to live and do business. Piling on misguided tax increases and regulations only exacerbates this problem. Is it any wonder that from June 2002 through April 2004 New York City lost more private-sector jobs than it created?
President Reagan believed in the power of people, not government. He believed that, by limiting taxes and regulation, people would make America great again. Remembering this philosophy and, better yet, implementing these policies here in New York can make our City great again.
Like President Reagan and many New Yorkers, I believe money is more powerful when put back in the hands of people. I further believe we need to create a business environment that limits government involvement and permits business owners to operate their businesses so they can build better lives for themselves and their workers. These are the economic principles that guided Ronald Reagan, and they are the same principles I will use to guide New York to a brighter future during my mayoralty.
As we debate the myriad options for honoring Ronald Reagan, let us remember that the highest honor we can bestow upon his legacy is to continue to live by the principles that enabled him to lead the United States to prosperity during his presidency.
Steve Shaw is a Republican candidate for Mayor of New York City in 2005. His website is www.shawformayor.com.
fyi
I lay ultimate blame on the New York GOP. Had they not been dazzled by republican-of-convenience Bloomie's millions, NYC could have had Herman Badillo as mayor, the former CUNY Chancellor, immigrant (legal), self-made man, true conservative and if anything, an even better mensch than Rudy. I will never forgive them, never.
Actually, they're going to build a wall, to keep NYC residents from going to Jersey to buy cigs.
Why not replace the Statue of Liberty's face with Reagan's?
Sounds good to me. After all, the model for this national symbol was a French woman...
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