msnbc   |  March 09, 2013

As Bloomberg targets earbuds, thousands remain homeless

MSNBC’s Craig Melvin shares his thoughts on Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s paternalistic public policies – and what might be done to help New York City’s homeless.

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This content comes from Closed Captioning that was broadcast along with this program.

>> when new york city mayor michael bloomberg came for the smokers, i don't really mind because i don't light up and hate leaving bars and restaurants reeking and then he came for the folks who like to enjoy occasional transfats or one of those gargantuan sugary drinks and i try to avoid fried foods unless my mom's frying pork chops and think the super sizes are part of the reason why so many have gotten so fat especially kids. well now the billionaire mayor has decided once again to help us help ourselves. he thinks the kids are playing their hip tee hop metal rock too loudly. this week the city of new york announced it was spending $250,000 on a campaign to raise awareness about the quote, safe use of personal music players and the risks of loud and long listening. many worry that this could just be the beginning. your ipod, by the way, gets up to 115 decibels and researchers say 85 is ideal. really? we don't think that people who blast their music think that they could be damaging their ears? why not do something about the constant cacophony of jack hammers, squealing brakes or incessant honking from cabbes. i know you tried in 2005 . if you'll champion paternalistic policies why go small? do you know how many people slept in new york city homeless shelters every night in january alone? 50,000. that's according to the coalition for the homeless . it's a record for the big apple . here's a thought. maybe we should be just as concerned about the skyrocketing number of homeless people especially children as we are about cancer sticks, fatty foods and ear