uptowngirl

The Rent is too damn high Party

Have you heard of the Rent is too damn high Party? Founded by Jimmy McMillan,a martial arts instructor, former postal worker, Vietnam War veteran, and political activist from Brooklyn, this NYC political party is now causing a stir as it's message seems to resonate with the people of New York during these tough times.

Here's the mission statement of the party-
http://rentistoodamnhigh.org/id26.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/21/nyregion/21trailer.html?nl=nyregion&emc=ura3

http://www.boingboing.net/2010/10/19/the-rent-is-too-damn.html

The intention is great but would you take the Rent is too damn high party seriously?

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hhusted Oct 21, 2010

I don't know about taking the party seriously, but someone needs to step up and let the landlords know what they are doing and people don't like it.

Uraniumfish Oct 23, 2010

That's funny: from the title alone I thought it was the kind of party people used to throw who couldn't afford their rent: you invite over a bunch of friends as a kind of "fundraiser" and everyone contributes to the booze and makes a little donation to the host to help him...pay the rent.

hhusted Oct 24, 2010

@Uraniumfish: Hey, not a bad idea. If I get cash strapped, maybe I'll think about that for the future.

ajadedidealist Oct 25, 2010

@Uraniumfish - I've heard that...but surely the investment in booze to begin with could be dangerous - what happens if people don't chip in? You could be out the cost of a few bottles of vodka on top of the rent money!

Uraniumfish Oct 25, 2010

@ajadedidealist I guess the idea is that you invite friends who are only too happy to help you out a little and wouldn't stiff you for hosting the party in the first place.

Uraniumfish Oct 25, 2010

Also, I guess if you're really poor, part of the party could be that everyone brings their own booze to contribute--

uptowngirl Oct 25, 2010

@Uraniumfish the BYOB idea sounds like a good plan.

Uraniumfish Oct 26, 2010

Thankfully I don't need to throw such a party for now.

uptowngirl Oct 27, 2010

@Everyone here's the first single from Jimmy McMillan that of course talks of the rent in the city being too damn high. Have a listen. http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/27/a-first-look-at-the-rent-is-too-damn-high-the-album/?src=twt&twt=cityroom

hhusted Oct 28, 2010

@Uraniumfish: When inviting your guests, just tell them to pay at the door, or they won't get in. I've been invited to parties of such nature.

NeverSleeps Oct 30, 2010

@Uraniumfish I know someone with a really cool Brooklyn basement space attached to their apt - I think they made like $6,000 at one party, because they invited some relatively known bands to play and charged at the door and for beer. I don't know if I'd chip in just to pay some broke friend's rent, but I would go hang out at a party that was actually cool. @everyone Did that Jimmy character say he would marry a shoe? I really wish I'd seen that whole debate. As someone who was recently in the market for a new apt, I can tell you that people in my neighborhood were trying to get away with murder in the rent they were charging. So, yes, the rent is too damn high.