Michael Bloomberg joined the Republican Party to run for mayor of New York City and left the Republican Party to position himself as an independent presidential candidate. Now that he has abandoned his presidential bid, our "independent" mayor is "quietly" writing personal checks to help the Republican Party maintain its control of the State Senate (AND THEREBY BLOCK ENACTMENT OF A PROGRESSIVE AGENDA IN ALBANY). Once again, Michael Bloomberg's actions do not match his high-sounding rhetorical criticism of party politics. Quite simply, the mayor is a fraud who joins, leaves and supports political parties not out of philosophical conviction and agreement with party principles but to enhance his own political ambitions. When it comes to political parties, all Michael Bloomberg really cares about is what is best for HIM. Ironically, independent Bloomberg epitomizes what is wrong with our political parties. Scott