Village Voice According to Mayor Mike Bloomberg, there’s a reason the less fortunate are staying in homeless shelters 30 percent longer than they have in the past: New York City’s homeless shelters are just too damn nice.
In response to a Wall Street Journal report that found the average length of stay for families with children in city homeless shelters has shot up by more than 30 percent during the last fiscal year, Hizzoner said the following:
“We have made our shelter system so much better that, unfortunately, when people are in it, or, fortunately, depending on what your objective is, it is a much more pleasurable experience than they ever had before.”
It’s that “pleasurable experience” part that has raised a few eyebrows (read: pissed off just about everyone).
We spoke to a few homeless people on our way into the office this morning, none of whom consider living in a homeless shelter to be a “pleasurable experience.”
It’s better than being on the street,” Rick, 42, tells the Voice. “But I used to live in an apartment in Brooklyn — had a car. So no — stayin’ at the shelter now is not a more ‘pleasurable experience,’ or whatever he called it, than I’ve had before.”
David Espinoza, 48, also has spent time at a New York City homeless shelter, and echoes Rick’s assessment that, while better than sleeping in a doorway, it’s not necessarily a “pleasurable experience.” He also had some (ahem) kind words for Mr. Bloomberg.
“Don’t that guy have, like, a bazillion dollars and a mansion?” he asks.
After we explained that “a bazillion” isn’t an actual number, but that the mayor owns 11 homes and is worth an estimated $22 billion, Espinoza said “well, f**k that guy!”
People who’ve actually stayed in homeless shelters aside, homeless advocates are outraged that the billionaire mayor of one of the largest cities in the world would make such an insensitive, out of touch comment.
“The Mayor’s assertion that homeless New Yorkers are staying in shelters longer because they are ‘much more pleasurable’ is shocking and offensive,” said Mary Brosnahan, executive director of the Coalition for the Homelessness, in an emailed statement to the Wall Street Journal.
“Mayor Bloomberg systematically closed every single path to affordable housing once available to homeless families with vulnerable children,” she said. “His failed policies are the major factor leading to the record shelter population this summer. Blaming homeless families and suggesting they are luxuriating in ‘pleasurable’ accommodations shows just how badly the mayor is out of touch.”
Inconsiderate/self centered/POS!
Why doesn’t Bloom-burger open up a couple of his 11 mansions to ‘vulnerable families’ – afterall, he can’t live in all 11 of them at the same time. Think how many families could live ‘pleasurably’ in just one of them.
Share and share alike Mikey
You posters have it all wrong. He needs those 11 homes to save his life. When the balloon goes up and they start hunting the Banksters, they won’t know where to find him.
“We have made our shelter system so much better that, unfortunately, when people are in it, or, fortunately, depending on what your objective is, it is a much more pleasurable experience than they ever had before.”
Chutzpah doesn’t even BEGIN to describe this POS clown’s sorry @ss attitude.
I’d LOVE to have five minutes alone with him in a dark alley, with no witnesses.
Can I join you? If anyone asks, I’ll say, “I saw nothing.” lol
Now that would make a decent reality show, hell we would even pay admition to join in with ya #1. I would call it anger management for myself – it already has got me smiling and fealing better #1.
Hahaha! Anger management. The most widely used psychological excuse for everything these days. If I yell at my dog, I need anger management. If I yell at my friend, I must need anger management. If I yell at a child for almost cutting another kid’s finger off with a pair of scissors, I need anger management. If I scream after a car ran over my foot, I need anger management. Whatever happened to people getting angry for a reason every once in a awhile and that it is all a part of life? We all can’t be happy all the time. We aren’t gods. When someone tells me I need Anger management because someone hit me in the face, it just piss me off even more and that’s the kind of society we have today. Everything is backwards. Sorry about my rant, Digs. However, I do agree with you. It would be good anger management. Just not the kind that the elite and their so-called psychologists advocate for the people these days. I just have to say to them, “Too bad. Anger is not always a psychological problem. It is just another part of life and being human! Deal with it!”
Yea NC, but it the ones like Bloomberg that brings out the best of anger management. Hell they are the ones that seem to know. We would see just who needs anger management if the LEO`s and the law makers had to follow and live by the same laws as every one else has to Anger manage ment?, I had enough rehab to know who needs anger management, and that is for sure. Actualy I would like to see some of those like to see bloomberg do his dirty buisness face to face with some people that need some anger management just to see Bloomberg talk his way out of some anger management therepy. I bet he would go run and hide under the rock he deservers to hide under. Those like Bloomberg always try to push the buttons of the ones that do not or cannot defend themselves and then they blame it on drug or whatever and then give rehab and other counseling. Just see who needs the anger management when ya dissagree with a cop or a lawmaker much say dissagree with a court appointed councelor. HA HA HA. I could Guarentee they would be the ones who need the anger management. Just say NO to one of theirs and see who has issues.—- P.S. Sorry about my rant on this one NC I also know you know where I am comming fron though I hope. Good rant you had though. Anger is just part of life, but just try pushing their buttons and tell them that and see who has anger probs. Take Ol` Bloombergs houses, body guards, and perhaps make him follow the same laws as every one else has to and I bet he has anger issues with life. Damn it NC you got me on a rant Geez. Any way that`s my rant – Sorry! NC.
And…welcome back with your daily dose of Bloomy’s (aka Pee-Wee) Playhouse and I’m your critical host, NC. Now, let’s review another exciting Pee-Wee article that you won’t find anywhere else:
“We have made our shelter system so much better that, unfortunately, when people are in it, or, fortunately, depending on what your objective is, it is a much more pleasurable experience than they ever had before.”
Awww, little Pee-Wee doesn’t have a mouth big enough to jam that big foot of his down into after making this ridiculous comment. Hey Pee-Wee, I hear you need a bigger shovel because the hole you are digging has now become bigger than the Mariana Trench.
“David Espinoza, 48, also has spent time at a New York City homeless shelter, and echoes Rick’s assessment that, while better than sleeping in a doorway, it’s not necessarily a “pleasurable experience.” He also had some (ahem) kind words for Mr. Bloomberg.
“Don’t that guy have, like, a bazillion dollars and a mansion?” he asks.
After we explained that “a bazillion” isn’t an actual number, but that the mayor owns 11 homes and is worth an estimated $22 billion, Espinoza said “well, f**k that guy!””
Hell, yea! I couldn’t have said it better myself. As I said before in the other article, how about Pee-Wee spread some of that fine (most likely corrupt) wealth back to society and do his job as mayor of the city by helping to stimulate the economy by creating more jobs to help the poor rather than helping to create more money and power for himself.
“People who’ve actually stayed in homeless shelters aside, homeless advocates are outraged that the billionaire mayor of one of the largest cities in the world would make such an insensitive, out of touch comment.
“Mayor Bloomberg systematically closed every single path to affordable housing once available to homeless families with vulnerable children,” she said. “His failed policies are the major factor leading to the record shelter population this summer. Blaming homeless families and suggesting they are luxuriating in ‘pleasurable’ accommodations shows just how badly the mayor is out of touch.”
Don’t worry, Pee-Wee says you’ll all be just fine after you give up all your guns and be on your way.
And that’s your daily dose of Bloomy’s (aka Pee-Wee) Playhouse for the moment. I’m your host, NC, “And now you’ve heard…the rest of the story. Good day?”
My God! The absolute greediness of the billionaire.
NOBODY is a billionaire without stepping on others.
And it’s the money from taxes that go to the Shelters. “Bloomers.” obviously, wants to divert more money to himself and his cronies!
He represents a certain people, like, the banksters. et al, with a certain reputation. No wonder they’re disliked and resented. There’s a reason!
Well . . . . perhaps if you drink less than 16 oz. of any drink, then you will be worthy enough to live in 11 homes at once . . . you need a big EGO, not a big drink! HAHAHAHAHAHA – - – Helloooo!!!!
Bloomberg working at a 7-11 store:
“Hey! No more Big Gulp for you! NEXT!” Ala Soup Nazi from Seinfeld
BLOOMBERG HAS MADE A DEAL WITH 7-11 TO SPREAD ALL OVER NYC. 7-11 IS EXEMPT FROM THE 16OZ SODA BAN DUE TO A LOOPHOLE IN THE LAW THAT CLASSIFIES 7-11 AS A GROCER. IF YOU THINK THAT WAS NOT DONE ON PURPOSE THINK AGAIN. SO YOU CAN BUY A SUGAR FILLED 120 OZ BIG GULP BECAUSE BLOOMBERG LIKES BIG BUSINESS. 7-11 DID NOT WANT TO EXPAND IN NYC DUE TO BODEGAS EVERYWHERE. BLOOMBERG HAD TO “THROW THEM A BONE” SO THEY WOULD EXPAND HERE. IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS EXPECT TO SEE 7-11 EVERYWHERE IN NYC.
True.
We’re seeing fewer and fewer Bodegas and Delis. Meanwhile, 7-11 is expanding and Starbucks is on every corner. Small businesses can’t afford the ever increasing rents, licences, permits, taxes, etc.
How can anyone take what mayor Bloomy says seriously? I agree with Espinoza. F#@k Bloomberg.
On NetFlix are a series of TED talks on Artistry and Illusion that includes Beatrice Coron’s work cutting paper. In that talk you will see that NON-PROFIT groups, builders and Charities are DONATING FOR FREE renovation work to N.Y.C. housing projects. That’s right I said “FOR FREE” so these nice-looking places don’t cost you a dime to look nice yet according to Bloomberg they are. Bloomberg believes that the poor should have nothing even charity so the rich can what…get another tax break for no reason since they are not the ones providing the charity. The definition of a sociopath.
Bloomie would have made a great slum landlord back in London 1830′s. You just need to VOTE HIM OUT and get rid of him forever. This guy has a cash register for a brain and a cash register for a heart.
Hey NYC you elected this turd. Remember how he treats the nice folks of NYC at the next election and dump this fraud. His ideas are NOT in your best interest. I lived in NYC back in the late 60′s early70′s and would never go back now. GET RID OF THIS GUY!! He’s just making MORE money off your money and not doing anything for you. May I suggest he take one of his billions and use it for the benefit of the people of NYC and build them MORE places to live instead of putting more of your money up HIS arse?
Do you really think really believe any alternatives THEY offer are any better???
SERIOUSLY????????????????????????????????????????????
Got a bridge 4 sale.
Cheap.
Sounds like Bloomberg is totally in touch with his constituency.
LOL
There is no doubt as to the constituents he courts and caters.
http://politicker.com/2012/08/bloomberg-next-mayor-will-have-to-earn-the-respect-of-the-business-community/