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The Recession: Boston Style

I went home to New York City for Easter and Mayor Bloomberg had commercials on all the major stations. In the commercials, the Mayor was walking the streets of New York, talking to people on the streets. He was standing next to the hot dog stand, walking past a bodega. In the voice over, he spoke to New Yorkers about how he was listening on the streets and in the subways. He used that Post-9/11-speak and said the city would pull together and get through these “tough economic times.” He never used the words “lay-off” or “recession.” He never mentions specific industries that will take the biggest hit. He explained that the city couldn’t do everything, but it would try its best to create jobs for all New Yorkers in all five boroughs.

 

I mentioned to my mother that back in Boston, Mayor Menino had no commercial. He appeared on alarmist newscasts, announcing layoffs for teachers and police officers. He did so in an almost punitive manner, mentioning that the unions would not work with him in the past, would not agree to wage-freezes, etc, so he had no choice but to start laying people off. He only mentions the teachers, police officers, and occasionally the firemen. He implied that union stubbornness, rather than a national (worldwide) recession may have caused the need for budget cuts and the subsequent planned layoffs.

 

My mother, who works for the City of New York, remarked, “Well, they are having layoffs in both cities. Bloomberg is just smoother when he talks about it.” Hmm.

 

Maybe it is just a matter of style. But what if our budget deficit here in Boston was seen as something we could work on and pull through together. What if we could support Mayor Menino and Governor Patrick in their attempts to correct and adjust the city and state budgets? And what if, instead of scolding and finger-pointing, the Mayor spoke to Boston in a way that inspired us to give a short term sacrifice in order to gain a long term budget correction?

 

Just a thought.

 

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