Or would he advise them to live elsewhere? That isn’t a liberal or conservative question. I’m open to argument on whether everyone should pay more into the community and get more out, or pay less in and expect less — although I’m more and more leaning toward the latter, moving away from a prior tendency toward the former, the more hopeless it seems. Because younger generations will be putting more in AND getting less out. And no one will say so. Not on the national level, where Medicare beneficiaries and public employees with government health care oppose universal health care because “we can’t afford it.” And not at the state level.
Back in 2006, when many were writing that Tom Suozzi should drop out of the race for Governor, I wrote that the honorable thing was for him to speak his piece, give those who agreed a chance to express themselves by voting, not be vindictive to other candidates, and if was going to lose, lose. And he did so. Now I say the honorable thing for Governor Paterson to do is tell the truth, particularly if he has little to lose. Particularly if others do not want to hear it. By doing so, he could be a better Governor in three years than others have been in twelve.