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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMayor Bloomberg Has Eleven Homes, We Can Still Barely Pay Rent
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2012/05/mayor_bloomberg_47.phpA few months back, Runnin' Scared covered what seems to be the biggest conundrum of the Big Apple: the fact that rents are higher than ever (averaging a solid $3,418 a month) yet no one is leaving the island. Actually, recent years have shown a huge increase in Manhattan newcomers, raising the question of whether the island will go the way of Venice.
These facts stand in huge contrast to the life of the Hozziner, the highest representative of all things related to New York City and shunner of Gracie Mansion. It seems like old news to say that Bloomberg is the King of New York: whether he's riding his helicopter over the East River late night or boosting the sales of Bloomberg Media, it's evident that Mayor has solidified his empire both in business and in city politics.
But to compare and contrast the lives of normal New Yorkers and that of the Mayor is a job that must be done every so often just to remind us where we're at as a City. And, if his recent tax records and buys are any indications, the wealth is still pouring in while we're scrounging together pennies to satisfy our landlord come the first day of the month.
The Post reported yesterday that Michael Bloomberg now has eleven places to call home after recently picking up two more properties, each with MegaMillion price tags.
His first new buy is in North Salem, an exclusive village up in Westchester. Home to David Letterman and many other members of the super-rich (is the One Percent still being used?), Bloomberg already had a $3.65 million ranch up there. But, hey, the more, the merrier: his recently acquired property maxed out somewhere around $4.55 mill. And that stands in awe compared to his other home.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)I've often wondered why more isn't said about Mr. Bloomberg and his wealth since wealth actually comes with a certain mind set. He certainly doesn't have to think about what he needs to sacrifice in order to make ends meet. Why in the world would he bother to think about it at all or in conjunction with other other people's problems? Empathy?
I don't think so.
SammyWinstonJack
(44,130 posts)TBF
(32,062 posts)this is what we are seeing worldwide really. As more and more normal folks are forced into austerity (job cuts, foreclosures, debts coming due) the very richest capitalists are running things. They live in unbelievable luxury.
The billion dollar house built in India in 2010: http://www.forbes.com/2008/04/30/home-india-billion-forbeslife-cx_mw_0430realestate.html
Contrast with a recent story in the NYTimes regarding slums in India: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/29/world/asia/in-indian-slum-misery-work-politics-and-hope.html?pagewanted=all
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)Must be nice....
badtoworse
(5,957 posts)gratuitous
(82,849 posts)Michael's a simple public employee living in government housing a fixed income, and you're all over the guy about his 11 mansions! Give him a break, fer goshsakes.