Just a few days ago, sanctimonous members of the media (aka Wallace Matthews) decided to carve up Citigroup, Fred Wilpon, and the New York Mets for an early Thanksgiving meal. Today, Daily News reporters Juan Gonzalez and Greg Smith report of another City, New York City, and their predictable corrupt ways.

Gonzalez and Smith are reporting that “some of the mayor Bloomberg’s top deputies spent months threatening and cajoling to get a free skybox at Yankee Stadium. They even demanded free food and ultimately got most of what they wanted after they agreed to provide the team 250 free stadium parking spaces in exchange”.

There has been much outrage over the financing and tax breaks the Yankees have received from NYC (see Dennis Kucinich), but I doubt you will hear a peep from anyone in the city council or federal government about these recent charges. They will be arrogantly dismissed, just like the two term limit, by the Mayor.

I never support using this site as a forum to discuss politics, economics, or personal agendas. That is, unless it impacts sports or media. I am in no way saying that Wallace Matthews is off base in his criticism of the corporate exec’s at Citigroup. The one lesson we learned the last few months is that most senior level executives are out of touch, callous, and completely incapable of critical thought. Our culture rewards the corporate “command and control” approach so maybe we can’t completely blame them. That is why we are in the current economic situation. The aforementioned description doesn’t just go for corporate executives, but our friends in federal and local government. I hope Mr. Matthews is as passionate in his criticism of these “hacks” as he is with Fred Wilpon and company.

So next time you feel pressure to support congestion pricing, increased taxation, and more bureaucracy in New York City, remember this article. This is only the “tip of the iceberg” in corruption that is happening in our government. A before you point the finger, it’s both parties that are guilty. If we name Citi Field “Bailout Ballpark” could we name the free skybox at Yankee Stadium “Pork Project”?

Sometimes you have to wonder who is the bigger villian: Citi or the City.

Tags: Citi Field, Mayor Bloomberg, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Newsday, Wallace Matthews, Yankee Stadium