WHO SAID THIS, AND WHEN: “This government will begin today the painful, difficult, imperative process of learning to live within its means.”

WHO SAID THAT? A RABID RACIST RIGHT-WING TEA PARTIER?

NOPE.

THE LATE HUGH CAREY, FORMER GOVERNOR OF NY (A DEMOCRAT AND A LIB) - WHO HELPED SAVE NYC IN THE 1970'S.

HE JUST DIED.

HIS WORDS HAVE A NICE RING TO IT, DON'T THEY?

I DIDN'T AGREE WITH ALL HIS POLICIES BUT HE LED AND ACTED.

NYT OBIT EXCERPT (S):

The governor engineered more than $1 billion in state loans to the city and $200 million in new city taxes. He persuaded banks to refinance city debts and accept a moratorium on some debt payments, and he got municipal unions to invest their pension funds in Municipal Assistance Corporation bonds.

Despite those measures, New York City at one point came within hours having to file for bankruptcy.

On Oct. 29, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford vowed that he would veto “any bill that has as its purpose a federal bailout of New York City.” The next day, the front page of The Daily News famously proclaimed: “Ford to City: Drop Dead.”

A fierce backlash ensued, and a chastened Mr. Ford was persuaded that the governor had the situation under control. The president agreed in early 1976 to $2.3 billion in federal loans to the city. The greatest peril had passed.

In all, Mr. Carey wrought profound changes, curtailing the entitlements that had been a defining element of New York government.

PERHAPS ALL GOVERNMENT UNIONS - LIKE THE SEIU AND AFSCME SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO BUY ONLY T-BILLS?

PERHAPS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OUGHT TO CURTAIL ENTITLEMENTS, TOO?

SIGH.

SADLY FOR US, OBAMA ISN'T 1/100TH THE MAN CAREY WAS.

NOT IN ANY WAY:

[CAREY]... fought with the 104th Division in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, helping to capture Cologne and liberate prisoners at a concentration camp at Nordhausen. At his discharge in 1946, he was a lieutenant colonel, wearing the Bronze Star, the Croix de Guerre with Silver Star and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

RIP YOUR HONOR.