Hypocrisy Across the River

Not being from New York, I attend political commercials for NY pols with mere academic interest. But when they present such a juicy target ...

Alan G. Hevesi presently seeks your support for re-election as New York’s Comptroller. A quick look at the news reveals him to be something of a typical Hudson County pol. For three years, he used state employees to chauffeur his wife around, only to later apologize and reimburse the taxpayers to the tune of $83K. (One cannot help but wonder who he’s renting his residentially zoned property to?)

So commences the commercial, for this New York State official whom, insofar as one can tell, has nothing whatsoever to do with federal policy: Alan Hevesi opposed George Bush’s effort to privatize Social Security. (To which, one might reply, "so what"?)

But the truly interesting part follows: Hevesi brags that he, as Comptroller, made $40 billion for New York pensioners, through prudent investments.

OK, let’s get this straight: private folks investing in the market, in real estate, in bonds, etc., with money which would otherwise be spent by the Powers-That-Be in Washington, is Bad. A Risky Scheme, or whatever the Dems choose to call it this week.

But investing New York Public Employee pension funds in the market, in real estate, in bonds, etc., is a wonderful thing, for which the people should be thankful – and reelect Alan Hevesi, the mastermind of that undertaking.

So, the precise same investments which yielded such a wonderful bounty for the State of New York’s public employees cannot be trusted for the security of the rest of citizenry.

It never ceases to amaze me that the people fail to take offense at politicians who insult their intelligence.