Damian at Stay Free! alerts us to the Rent Is Too Damn High Party, throwing a hat into the ring for the upcoming NYC mayoral race. Their campaign song (MP3) explains everything.
The party's mayoral candidate and mastermind is ex-postal worker/Vietnam vet/martial arts instructor Jimmy McMillan, who once climbed up a cable on the Brooklyn Bridge armed with a machete to demand press attention. McMillan is actually on the official NYC ballot, running against a few other goons who are far too deficient in entertainment value to be mentioned.
Unfortunately, McMillan blames his rent woes on Jews (he also accuses them of creating a state of apartheid in Brooklyn), which is sure to derail his campaign. However, his site is full of nuggets like this:
All Poor People Are Being Force Out OF New York
*** HELL NO ***
This Is Jimmy McMillan, Ain't Nobody Running Nobody Anywhere.
Although McMillan's campaign may appear ridiculous, at least he's earnest. Remember when Jello Biafra ran for mayor of SF in '79? His platform included forcing businessmen wear clown costumes and banning cars within the city limits.
Don't forget Biafra's best idea, Maximum Wage. I know, I know, commie blah blah, but it sure would even everything out quick if you levelled what American CEO's take home every year and increased the wages of teachers and others who desever it.
Technically he suggested it when he was runnign for prez on the grenn ticket, but it is a fine idea nonetheless.
Posted by: Sam | October 27, 2005 at 07:17 PM
Ed Forchion is a candidate for governor in NJ. His one and only platform is to tax marijuana sales. http://www.njweedman.com
Posted by: Krys O. | October 28, 2005 at 10:07 AM
I've been all over the site and see no mention of the Jews. Can we back this up with a link?
Posted by: MarkSW | November 05, 2005 at 02:12 PM
http://www.rentistoodamnhigh.org/page30.html
Posted by: Anonymous | November 09, 2005 at 10:38 PM
Well it is true that poor people are being driven out of New York. Gentrification they call it. Of course one won't notice if it doesn't happen to one self.
However, if one has walked the streets of Manhattan since the mid 1980s it is clear that the shopping-mallization of the city has killed countless neighborhoods for big business (GAP was early on in this).
A political party for lower rents sounds like a great idea.
Posted by: Olafur Thordarson | October 17, 2006 at 11:52 AM