Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/politics/1425317-whatever-it-is-theyre-against-it
https://studentshare.org/politics/1425317-whatever-it-is-theyre-against-it.
New York Post - Whatever It is, They’re Against It by the City Council A recent New York Post article titled What It is, They’re Against It examined a number of recent motions made by the City Council. While the article is in large part humorous in its presentation of farcical things the City Council has considered restricting in recent years, it does appear that there is some truth to the journalist’s insights. Still, one must also consider whether the City Council has valid arguments in many of its considerations and potential policies.
This essay considers the New York Post article in regards to its legitimacy and whether I agree with the City Council. In considering whether the article has merit a number of aspects point to it being credible. While the article is humorous and the New York Post is not as top-flight or intellectual a newspaper as some others, in cross-referencing its main points, it’s clear that there is considerable evidence that points to the article’s legitimacy. One such point is from Time Magazine.
In this article, Melnick notes that the City Council has continued this overly restrictive pattern of investigation, as just this year they sought measures that would ban toys in McDonald’s Happy Meals. In considering that the original article occurred in 2006 and this article is from 2011, it’s clear that this is an on-going concern with the City Council being overly prohibitive. It’s also worth noting that Time Magazine represents a much more substantial and politically credible publication than the New York Times.
In these regards, it appears that the article is credible and readers must give greater consideration to its main argument that the New York City Council is overly prohibitive. In large part I agree with the criticism the article levies at the City Council. While I believe that it is important for regional governments to ensure public safety and to develop reform methods that look after citizens, in this situation it’s clear that the City Council has gone beyond their responsibilities. The motions that the article considers all go beyond simple public safety, but attempt to implement a way of life on other people that many would otherwise not follow.
The City Council’s own webpage ‘New York City Council’ notes that one of the primary concerns of the council should be conserve money. In light of the recent economic crisis, these elements are made even more important. Rather than devoting substantial sums of money to restricting peoples’ rights, I believe that the Council should attempt to devote their energy to developing programs that proactively contribute to the city, rather than restricting people’s rights. One such example is the ‘Grow NYC’ program that contributes to developing more green spaces and living elements in the city.
Ultimately, the City Council has been too restrictive in their measures and should work to proactively contribute to the city instead. In conclusion, this essay has considered the article Whatever It is, They’re Against It. In terms of the articles legitimacy, through referencing outside evidence, this essay argues that the article is credible. The essay goes on to argue that the City Council is overly prohibitive in their restriction measures. Finally, it argues that instead of being overly restrictive, the Council should seek more pro-active measures of improving the city.
References‘Grow NYC’ (2011) http://www.grownyc.org/Melnick, Meredith. (2011) ‘Council Considers Banning Happy Meal Toys’ Time. http://healthland.time.com/2011/04/06/new-york-city-council-considers- banning-happy-meal-toys/ ‘New York City Council’. (2011) http://council.nyc.gov/html/home/home.shtml‘Whatever It is, They’re Against It’ (2006). New York Post.
Read More