What on Earth does he propose to do that we haven't already done, anyway? Strip search stations on every street corner?
Also, Bloomberg is still in office because he was able to change the term limits, which New Yorkers were against.
It's hard to beat a politician with a personal net worth of $27 billion.
personal note: I do not support the abolition of term limits or the imposition of soda taxes; but I do not think he is in power simply because he is wealthy.
He certainly isn't in power simply because he's wealthy, but having a bottomless war chest and a large media empire makes it much easier.
That still doesn't explain that if the people of New York are so against his policies why he can make them happen. I'll assume that New York is just like any other city and the mayor can't just do something because they want to. Don't they have city councilmen? Aren't they beholden to the masses? Can't they be elected out if the people don't like what is being passed? As for term limits, if he can get re-elected what does that matter? The people are still voting him in!
In any case it's still the fault of the people of New York.
Overall you're right, New Yorkers don't hate Bloomberg, he's done quite a bit that lots of people like. I certainly don't hate him, but I do have many problems with him.
But there's probably some other factors at play.
So, if you elected a guy that clearly is going to strip down your rights don't be surprised or outraged when it happens.
Then again, with generalizations like "that New Yorkers say" and assumptions like "if you elected a guy", I suppose my comment also applies to you.
The hard truth is that in an expanding security bureaucracy, the weak point becomes the bureaucracy; no need to sneak past security if you can sneak people into the security role who are on your side. Subversion is harder to do when the security bureaucracy is smaller.
The mayor of a major city like New York has influence far beyond his authority. His statements on a matter like this make a contribution to setting the tone and framing the debate nationally, and therefore have an effect on all of us, whatever we may think the people of New York "deserve."
Don't give him any more ideas. Be it sodium, sugar, tobacco, or terrorists, Mr. Bloomberg's first response is always the same: limit freedom.
...like Stop and Frisk?
In 2012, New Yorkers were stopped by the police 533,042 times
473,300 were totally innocent (89 percent).