348,000 millionaires? Wait, that’s just New York City, not the entire nation . . .

Photo above - this writer recently visited NYC for the weekend. She did not purchase breakfast from a street vendor however, as costs have skyrocketed. Food permits are now changing hands at $18,000 per . . . .

I went to New York last weekend. Didn’t buy one of the those Iconic “I H8 NY” t-shirts, but was tempted. And I still might have visited even if I HAD read the article (link below) - NYC has 348,000 Millionaires, 66 Billionaires. And a trash and crime problem that just won’t stop.

Unfortunately, the article does NOT name which local politicians are millionaires. Certainly incoming mayor Andrew Cuomo is one of them (full disclosure - election not held yet). Cuomo’s rival, socialist Zohran Mandini, isn’t a millionaire. Wait, he could be, because this is NY. Bernie Sanders is a multi-millionaire, after all. Even Curtis Sliwa, the red beret wearing head of a vigilante gang called the Guardian Angels, is a millionaire. Mr. Sliwa declined to run for mayor this time, despite entreaties by other millionaires who are mesmerized by the concept of vigilante justice to keep the subways safe, even if they don’t personally use them. The current mayor - Eric Adams - purchased a platoon of robot-cops to patrol the subways. And later found out they couldn't go up and down stairs.

I spent $211 to stay at the SpringHill Suites (one night) during my visit. A two-star hotel. Plus $32 in room taxes. Yowie - 15% ! Someone must think I’m a millionaire. Actually, I got a discount from Priceline (7 bucks). There are 20 different SpringHill Suites prices at various websites. I took the 3rd offer I saw. I don’t have all day. My hidden expense? I now get 3 emails a day from Priceline urging me to travel to dozens of world destinations, buy airline tickets and rent cars. They must think I’m a millionaire. After spending $211 for one night at hotel across the street from a warehouse.

I can’t tell you ALL the taxes I paid while in New York, because the government doesn’t observe the spirit of full disclosure. But I think I paid $32 to cross the GW Bridge – twice. Somebody must think I’m a millionaire. I did not pay the new $9 admission fee to “Manhattanland”, but I might consider it in the future. Except the food concessions are so darned expensive. But then again, a city permit to operate a food cart costs $18,000 on the black market, vs the official government price of $200. What is this, are we in some banana republic with black market exchange rates? (See link below.)

The occasion for my NY visit? My grandniece graduated from kindergarten. At a church school. Tuition for 4 days a week was $5,000 annually. Ka-ching ! That does not include summer school - you have to pay extra for that. And you need a car – and preferably a nanny to drive that car – to deliver and fetch Winona from class each day. Because if you work in NY you now must return to your office. And pay that $32 bridge toll and $9 theme park entrance.

Winona got her diploma, beaming with pride. The pastor urged the parents to buy their kids bibles as graduation gifts, although he did not specify what sins these kids may have committed. They were all baptized (a precondition for enrollment - don’t ask how much THAT costs, but it isn't free). It’s only a few years later, so these tykes can’t have long rap sheets yet. How much mischief can you get into while locked in a church basement classroom about the size of a (millionaire’s) garden shed? The bibles were probably available from the church website.

I am not casting shade on $5,000 day care, Manhattan entrance fees, and $125 signed Curtis Sliwa street gang berets. Millionaires can afford these things. However, cracks in the façade are showing. The car parked next to mine at Springhill Suites was a Maybach S 680, which stickers for $240,000, before options. The options on this one include matte black paint, and a total blackout of all glass, including the windshield. A car owned by someone staying at a $211 per night two-star hotel. Well, you have to start cutting expenses somewhere, I guess.

I’m just sayin’ . . .

New York City Named the Wealthiest City in the World

Why Do NYC Street Vendors Pay $18,000 For A $200 Permit? | Nowhere Men TV