…That was lead of David Rubin’s column in today’s Syracuse Post-Standard, in which he sided with the city’s mayor, Stephanie Miner, in her ongoing verbal battle with Gov. Andrew Cuomo over the governor’s controversial pension smoothing proposal.

Tell us how you really feel, Mr. Rubin.

It’s a bit of a stretch to compare Cuomo’s borrow now, pay later pension plan to then-President Ford’s 1975 denial of federal funds to nearly bankrupt New York City. (And for the record, Ford never actually uttered the words “drop dead” – that was a moment of creative license by the Daily News).

It’s also not at all unusual for a local newspaper columist to support his mayor when she tangles with a much bigger fish, especially when almost no one else has been willing to take on the popular and powerful governor.

But Rubin’s point – basically that Cuomo’s “this or a control board” response to Miner’s public questioning of his plan was overkill – is well taken. And Rubin also doesn’t stop at this particular incident in calling out the governor for being what he calls a “kick the can down the road” politician.

“What the governor offered provides a clue to his management style,” Rubin wrote. “The Mayor’s response suggests he has met a foe he cannot bully.”

“…While he is relentless in trumpeting his successes, his record is replete with can-kicking of this sort. Where is the independent redistricting plan he promised? Where is the comprehensive ethics legislation? Where is a decision, any decision, on hydrofracking? Most important, where is the real mandate relief from Albany’s sweetheart contracts with public employees?”

“…What lessons should we learn from this sad story? Cuomo should focus on the job he has, and not the job he wants. He should realize that if he runs for president as the governor of a state whose cities are falling apart, he loses. Finally, he should recognize who his friends are – they are the independent ones with ideas, not the ones who bow and scrape.”

Ouch.

After Miner went public with her criticism of the pension smoothing plan, a whole host of people have felt sufficiently comfortable (safe?) to express similiar concerns – especially since the mayor his Cuomo’s hand-picked state Democratic Party co-chair, and no retribution has (yet) been exacted on her for speaking her mind.

We’ll see how long this lasts.

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