What Congress Owes New York

New York Times ^ | 4/24/03 | JASON MAZZONE

[spny]

Operation Atlas, New York City's plan to protect itself from terrorist attacks, is likely to cost $700 million a year, much of it in overtime pay for police officers and firefighters. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has asked the federal government for money that would offset the costs of the program. While Congress has offered some $200 million in security spending, it has no intention of footing the entire bill. A close reading of the Constitution, however, suggests that it should.

Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution says, "The United States . . . shall protect each of [the states] against Invasion." Unlike other provisions that merely authorize governmental action, this article imposes on Washington an obligation to defend states — and their cities — from foreign attacks. If New York City needs Operation Atlas, the federal government must pay for the program.

[spny]

Thoughts? Sounds like an interesting textualist perspective. From the NY Times of all places...

[ECM]

It's always good to see that the Times is for a literal interpretation when it benefits them directly...

[cars for sale]

NY is gonna lose that warm and fuzzy earned in their heroic
recovery of terror.....

[rmlew]

I have a better idea: lower federal taxes.

New Yorkers have both higher than average wages and cost of living. Thus they are hit hard by the income tax. New Yorker's are more likely to own stock and Wall Street is one of 3 main industries in the city. Finally, New Yorkers get little return for their taxes as opposed to over areas which either break even or gat more than $1 back for every dllar in taxes.

New Yorkers should demand that the Bush Tax plan be passed and that Hillary Chucky Schumer stop their obstruction int he Senate.

[RS]

"Operation Atlas, New York City's plan to protect itself from terrorist attacks,

Make a plan, then expect someone else to pay for it - Sounds like Democrats in action alright !

[Clemenza]

You are correct. All my life, I've heard time and time again "what New York makes, the yokels take" or words to that effect. Instead of whining about pork that they will never get from the likes of UpChuck and the Hildebeast, my fellow New Yorkers should insist on IMMEDIATE tax reduction and or reform.

BTW: You've got to love living in a place where $100,000 makes you "middle class" in terms of standard of living and $220,000 will get you into a two-family in East Flatbush (thats the ghetto for you folks in Rio Linda).

[CFC__VRWC]

If the Congress had proposed sending that $200 million to Texas, Arizona and California to help slow down the actual invasion of our nation taking place on the southern border, the New York Times would be hammering away at that as yet another example of Republican racism.

[Blue Screen of Death]

NY should ask their two senators, Chuckie and Hillary to sit down with Bush and ask him for a favor because of all they have done for him and the country.

[cksharks]

Thke Constitution does not say anything about buying condoms,prescriptions,abortions,and on and on. I dont think they want to go there.

[TopQuark]

"The United States . . . shall protect each of [the states] against Invasion."

Invasion is not an attack.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

...I really wonder how much CHELSEA's lie about how she was nearly killed on Sept. 11th while sitting watching the Attacks on TV in her girlfriends apartment one mile from the World Trade Center...

...has ended up costing New York..?

...Don't you..?

[tahiti]

"Invasion is not an attack."

This is an interesting distinction.

Article I, Section 8, Clause 15, the Powers of Congress, states,

"15. To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions:"

However, I would not support such wordsmithing. "Attack" or "invasion" the result is the same.

For too many years socialsit and communist judges and regulators have used this wordsmithing technique to diminish, disparage, and deny your rights enumerated in the constitution.

The issue is, it has been New York's decision to use their personnel and resources to unconstitutionally search, seize, and restrict the freedom of movement within their state boundaries.

It is the citizen's of New York's financial responsibility.

Otherwise, New York will have to ask the Congress to "...call(ing) for the militia..." then it would be a federal financial responsibiltiy.

And in addition, the rest of citizens, through their representation, will have a say whether they support such a financial responsibility.

[DocJ69]

I think New York should have a $25 a year security tax on every individual who lives in the city and $50 for every commuter. That would take care of the problems and the rest of America wouldn't have to pay for New York and it's crooked Union thugs.

[Alberta's Child]

Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution says, "The United States . . . shall protect each of [the states] against Invasion." Unlike other provisions that merely authorize governmental action, this article imposes on Washington an obligation to defend states — and their cities — from foreign attacks. If New York City needs Operation Atlas, the federal government must pay for the program.

How idiotic. New York City has been "invaded" by illegal aliens on an ongoing basis for the last several decades, and the city government has a policy that prohibits city employees from turning people over to the I.N.S. when dealing with them during the normal course of their work.

Hey, New York -- Go f#ck off.

[Nick Danger]

What Congress Owes New York

Nice word trick... what "Congress" owes New York.

Congress has no money that it didn't take from somebody else. So let's title this piece "What the other 49 states owe New York."

[kcvl]

Operation Atlas is designed to beef up safety and security throughout the metropolitan area during a time when there is an elevated risk of terrorist attack. The plan is estimated to cost $5 million per week -- mostly overtime pay for police officers. Mayor Bloomberg has vowed to maintain the elevated level of security, regardless of budget issues and is pursuing federal assistance to help offset some of the expenses. Despite the increased security measures of Operation Atlas, New Yorkers and visitors are encouraged to go about their regular business and schedules.

I should help pay for the security of New York because?

[CurlyDave]

Well, when the NYT, the State of NY, and NYC read further along in the constitution ands come to the 2A they just ignore it and keep on going.

When all of New York decides to stop preventing their citizens from defending themselves, we should re-evaluate the cost of the defense of New York. The federal government is then obligated to defend the State and the City.

But, that defense is what the federal government decides is necessary, not what New York City decides to bill the federal government.

[Polybius]

If New York City needs Operation Atlas, the federal government must pay for the program.

The only problem is that "Operation Atlas", according to the article is "New York City's plan to protect itself".

The Constitution does not delegate national defense to municipalities. That duty is given by the Constitution to Congress and the Commander-in-Chief.

The bottom line is, if the plan was not approved by Congress and passed by the President, the U.S. taxpayers are under no obligation to pay for it.

If I am wrong, please let me know so that I can lobby our local mayor and City Council to pass my multi-million dollar plan to protect our fair little city from terrorism with U.S. Federal dollars.

[spny]

"I should help pay for the security of New York because?"

Ummmm......because as Americans we should all pay to safeguard our *country* from terrorism.

[TopQuark]

Even if you disregard the distinction:

If it is indeed the federal responsibility, then it should be given to the federal government completely --- in both financial and operational terms.

It is not consistent for NY to make decisions as to what is necessary and simply send the bill to Washington. The one that pays the bill must decide on the measures (in particular, it may CHOOSE to delegate to NY some of the decisions and even "hire" the state to do certain things).