My socialist mayor

Union Leader ^ | August 8, 2025 | John Stossel

[Angelino97]

I LIVE in New York City. “Proud Democratic Socialist” Zohran Mamdani is likely to be my next mayor. I’m not happy about it. But I am outnumbered. Mamdani is popular. He won more primary votes than any other candidate in the city’s history.

Minneapolis may also elect a socialist mayor. Why?! How deluded can voters be? In my new video, I explain why their socialist ideas are destructive.

Mamdani mocks those of us who fear socialism. He says socialism just means that the state “provides whatever is necessary for its people to live a dignified life.”

Sounds nice. But socialism doesn’t bring a dignified life. It never has. It’s wrecked lives wherever it’s been tried.

Mamdani says socialism isn’t a threat. It just means “seizing the means of production.” For example, to provide more housing for the poor, government should take over apartment buildings.

“Whether you call it the abolition of private property,” said Mamdani, “or you call it just a statewide housing guarantee, it is preferable to what is going on right now.”

No! It’s not! This idea has failed, again and again! Socialism, in various degrees, was tried and abandoned in the USSR, China, Vietnam, Mongolia, Cambodia, Afghanistan, South Yemen, Myanmar, Angola, Mozambique, Benin, Congo, Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia, Ghana, Madagascar, Nicaragua, Guyana, Chile, Israel, Sweden and India.

Countries that didn’t abandon socialism, like Cuba, Bolivia and North Korea, stay poor. Venezuela was once the richest country in Latin America. Now it’s the poorest.

“Socialism destroyed Venezuela,” says Venezuelan-born economist Daniel Di Martino. “No government has the capacity to run thousands of businesses.”

People need capitalism — a profit motive — to do that.

Yes, China and Vietnam have done well economically, but that only happened because they mostly gave up on “owning the means of production.” Only then did they begin to prosper.

Leftists claim Scandinavia is an example of “successful socialism.” Sen. Bernie Sanders shouts, “Look to countries like Denmark, like Sweden and Norway, and learn from what they have accomplished for their working people!”

But Scandinavia is not socialist! Today, Denmark, Sweden and Norway are capitalist countries with big welfare systems.

Denmark’s prime minister was so annoyed by the ignorance of American politicians, he traveled to Harvard to say, “Denmark is far from a socialist planned economy! Denmark is a market economy.”

Yet Mamdani says he’ll “create a network of city-owned grocery stores ... whose mission is lower prices, not price-gouging ... we’ll pass on those savings to you.”

“No profit motive” appeals to people. But the profit motive is exactly what keeps stores stocked and groceries relatively cheap. It’s why Americans spend much less on food than we did 100 years ago.

Capitalism works because businesses must compete to get your dollars. Compare your experience at profit-seeking stores to waiting in line at your state’s DMV. Even if Mamdani’s state-run groceries work well, they’ll still consume tax dollars while taking customers from businesses that pay taxes.

Mamdani says he’ll cover those losses by raising taxes on the rich even more. But that’s never worked either! Economist Art Laffer is known for illustrating that at a certain level, higher taxes stop bringing in more money. That’s because people work hard to escape high taxes.

“They’ll change where they earn their income,” he told me. “Change how much they earn, when they receive the income. They’ll change all those things to minimize taxes.”

Maryland found out he was right. Democrats raised taxes on the rich. They expected to bring in $106 million. The state lost $257 million. Europe axed its wealth taxes for the same reason. Millionaires just left. Even NPR called it an “exodus.”

In America, it’s even easier to escape high-tax states and cities. Millions have already left California, New York and Illinois. Mamdani once acknowledged this: “Our tax base growing smaller and smaller each day with New Yorkers leaving.” He doesn’t talk about that now.

Mamdani has so many bad ideas, I can’t fit them in this column. Next week I’ll write about his other feel-good ideas, like raising the minimum wage to $30, rent control and free buses.

[Red Badger]

“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.”......Winston Churchill

[Freee-dame]

I remember when Maryland raised taxes on people who made more than $1 million. The amount of revenue from millionaires that was less than the previous year was made public. That was probably the law to reveal that information. The number of millionaires who left the state never to pay another penny in taxes to Maryland was hidden.

[Carriage Hill]

Governments & Politics easily explained:

LIBERALISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both cows, slaughters them for their own food,
and taxes you to death for worthless social programs, for having
the animals originally.

PROGRESSIVISM
You have 2 cows.
Progs advocate for advancements in science, technology,
economic development and social organization, but they’re so full
of bullshit, nothing ever changes.
You still have 2 cows.

SOCIALISM
You have 2 cows.
The State forces you to give one to your neighbor, shoots the neighbor
and forces you to milk them both, giving all milk back to the state.
The State gives you a cup of sour milk.

LEFTISM
You have 2 cows.
The State terrrorizes the animals until they can’t produce milk,
beats you and your wife to death, and puts your daughters & sons
into the Pedophile Nation, for the Epsteins, Weiners, Clintons etc.

MARXISM
You have 2 cows.
The government takes both and tosses you into a hog pen, where you’re
devoured and never found.

COMMUNISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both and gives you nothing.
They shoot your family and put you in a gulag.

DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both, promises more free cows, lets you vote and gives you sour milk.

FASCISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both and sells you some milk.

NAZISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both and shoots your wife and kids.

ANARCHISM
You have 2 cows.
The State shoots the cows, you and your family.

CRONY CAPITALISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both, milks, slaughters them, and makes a tidy profit from the sale
of choice meat cuts and fresh milk.
You get some lousy hamburger and a jar of sour milk.

BUREAUCRATISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both, shoots one, hires a sub-contractor to milk the other, and then throws the milk away.

CONTEMPORARY WALL STREETISM
You have 2 cows.
You sell one, bundle the other with a goat, a mule,
and two dry cows.
You pile into the derivatives market, buy a Gulfstream
and when it all comes down around your ears...
You go to the government for a bailout.

TRADITIONAL CAPITALISM
You have 2 cows.
You sell one and buy a bull.
Your herd multiplies, and the economy grows.
You sell them and retire on the income.

SURREALISM
You have 2 giraffes.
The government taxes ever penny you get,
and then gives you a government grant,
from your own money,
but only if you take harmonica lessons.

[Resolute Conservative]

“How deluded can voters be?”

That’s easy: state education, God out of schools, social media, empty lives in need of belonging and affirmation for starters.

[Freee-dame]

I wonder if Mondawmi has any idea of what happened to the pilgrims the first year they were in America. Probably not. It was complete socialism with everyone “owning” everything in common. About half of the people died.

The second year each family was given a small plot of land for themselves. No longer did people say… It’s not my job. For example, if a crop had to be brought in before a heavy rain would have ruined it, the whole family got out there and helped.

[AZJeep]

In some way, I think, it may be great for America, if he takes over.
It will be just another demonstration of problems with socialism! New Yorkers will get what they deserve!
Being far away from NY and not planning to ever visit there again, I will just sit back, watch, and enjoy!

[Rummyfan]

Minneapolis may also elect a socialist mayor. Why?! How deluded can voters be?

They can be pretty damn deluded! Promise the underclass / do-nothngs that everything will be free et voila! Elected! Of course things only get worse for everyone.... 'cause there is nothing so expensive as free where government is concerned.

Of, oh course Mamdani will get filthy rich and walk away unscathed no matter what happens. Just ask Mrs DeBlasio about that half-a-billion $ she administered.

[JimRed]

Rearranging a few letters in Mamdani’s name results in I Madman.

[Freeleesy]

Desoite liberal lobby claiming fake "polls".

Fact is:

Jacob N. Kornbluh @jacobkornbluh

Latest Siena Research poll — NYC mayoral candidates among Jewish voters in New York State:
Mamdani 75% unfavorable / 15% favorable
Adams 61% unfavorable / 25% favorable
Cuomo 54% unfavorable / 37% favorable
Sliwa 38% unfavorable / 29% favorable.


Aug 12, 2025.
on X

Leaders of terror-linked charity bankroll Democrats.
Board members of a terror-linked nonprofit organization have cut dozens of checks to Democratic politicians over the past decade, campaign finance records show.
Aug 12, 2025.

On Oct. 15, 2024, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated Samidoun as “an international fundraiser for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine terrorist organization.” Employees and board members of Samidoun’s U.S. parent organization, the Alliance for Global Justice, have been frequent donors to high-profile Democratic politicians, including Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI). Employees of Defense for Children Palestine, which the Israeli government has linked to the PFLP, have also cut checks to notable Democrats.

Samidoun, which exists on paper to advocate the rights of those detained by the Israeli government, was determined to be “owned, controlled, or directed by, or having acted for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the PFLP” by the Treasury Department in late 2024. Part of the Treasury Department’s case against Samidoun rested on Khaled Barakat, a PFLP member who serves on Samidoun’s board and has been involved in “fundraising and recruitment efforts support[ing] the PFLP’s terrorist activity against Israel.”

The United States has designated the PFLP as a foreign terrorist organization since 1997, with the Palestinian organization having hijacked planes, carried out suicide bombings, attacked synagogues, and bombed civilians, among other violent acts, according to the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Samidoun’s ties to the PFLP and the Alliance for Global Justice’s sponsorship of Samidoun were known long before the Treasury Department’s designation. For instance, the Washington Examiner reported on the link between Samidoun and the Alliance for Global Justice as early as November 2022. The Alliance for Global Justice provided Samidoun with donation processing, health insurance administration, and payroll services. It is unclear if the relationship between the two organizations is ongoing following the Treasury Department’s designation.
WashingtonExaminer

[Leaning Right]

Might be time to get out of Dodge, Mr. Stossel.

[Faith65]

bkmk

[Leaning Right]

> It will be just another demonstration of problems with socialism! <

True that, but only if the mainstream media honestly reports on what’s happening there.

But they won’t.
🙁

[Texas Eagle]

Why?! How deluded can voters be?

Unionized Government run schools is the answer to both.

They don't teach kids about Communism because they would be teaching themselves out of lucrative jobs.

School vouchers and tax cuts for private schools tuitions are very popular ideas. I don't know why Republicans don't run on those ideas.

[ridesthemiles]

GOTTA MAKE HAY BALES WHILE THE SUN SHINES

[nickcarraway]

He doesn’t mention it, but since he’s ethnically Jewish, Mamdani may be even worse for him.

[steve in DC]

I would like to see a “national(ist)” Socialist Party.

Let Bernie, AOC, Feaucahontas, Mamdani and all the rest, embrace the roots of their political philosophy.

It is, after all, a catchy and evocative name for a party.

And I would really love the optics.

[steve in DC]

BTW, the first time socialism was embraced in North America, it was the Pilgrims in Plymouth Colony.

They nearly starved to death.

Soon enough “private” property (individual ownership of private farm plots) was tried....

...And then a miracle happened!

[Mr Ramsbotham]

I wonder if Mondawmi has any idea of what happened to the pilgrims the first year they were in America.

I'm sure he does, just as I'm equally sure that he uses socialism in order to gain power and money for himself.

[sauropod]

bkmk