It’s almost 2014, which means New York City’s #1 nanny will be out of office at midnight. Not one to waste a chance to sign overbearing restrictions into law, Mayor Michael Bloomberg put his John Hancock on his final pieces of legislation Monday, including a ban on the use of e-cigarettes indoors. The legislation had opponents furious — but it was just one of many times Bloomberg has outraged constituents and much of the American populace this year.
From restricting painkillers and hiding cigarettes in stores to encouraging residents to use the stairs and advising them to keep their music turned down, Bloomberg attempted to do it all in 2013.
So to wrap up the year and usher Bloomberg out the door, here are the worst hits from New York City’s nanny Mayor this year.
5. Donating $350k to anti-gun politicians in Colorado
Colorado state Senate President John Morse (D-Colo. Springs) and state Sen. Angela Giron (D-Pueblo) faced recall elections after supporting harsh gun control legislation. The two lost their recall elections, but not before Bloomberg — outspoken gun opponent and co-founder of the group Mayors Against Illegal Guns — donated $350,000 of his own money to support them.
4. Proposing fingerprinting for public housing residents
Bloomberg suggested the strategy during his weekly radio appearance, justifying the practice by saying that the 5 percent of New York City residents who live in public housing account for 20 percent of the city’s crime.
“What we really should have is fingerprinting to get in [the buildings],” he said. “And of course there’s an allegation that some of these apartments aren’t occupied by the people who originally have the lease.”
Big Brother Bloomberg is watching you, New York.
3. Golfing in Bermuda after deadly train wreck
According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg was golfing in Bermuda for hours after the Metro North train crash that killed four people and injured more than 60. #priorities
2. Attempting to ban large sugary drinks
In what became his trademark issue, Bloomberg pushed for a ban on large sugary drinks in the city, while claiming the government wasn’t actually trying to ban anything. Riiiight. The restriction was criticized for having loopholes and being ambiguous — not to mention overreaching. Thankfully, an appeals court struck down Bloomberg’s ban.
1. Openly admitting he believes Americans’ freedoms should be infringed upon
“I do think there are certain times we should infringe on your freedom,” he said on a Sunday morning show earlier this year.
No. Words.
