Editor’s Note: Welcome to new subscribers. Day 149 of the Great Con II. I am out of the country this week, “sharpening the saw” as Stephen Covey would say. I’ve still prepared fresh content for you, and a t-shirt inspired by this week’s essay. In the meantime, if this administration breaks another norm, I’ll catch it next time. On to the piece.
Over a decade ago, I ran for the local city commission. It was one of the best educational experiences I ever put myself through. I covered thousands of homes, knocking on doors, walking the streets, and attending forums. I made new friends, heard a few racial slurs, noticed how birds of a feather tend to flock together in similar neighborhoods, experienced a few slammed doors, and had a couple of signs stolen and burned.
It was worth it.
I gained around 10% of the vote and won four precincts, but ultimately lost the election. Months later, I had lunch with one of my opponents from the other side of the table, who also failed to advance in the primary. We lamented that we didn’t quite fit into the box of either of our political parties. We were either not conservative enough or too liberal.
Wealth plays quite a part, too.
Ironically, the person who won our race (from my party) ultimately went to prison, a sign of the caliber of party candidates, the dysfunctional political process, and the whims of the electorate.
The concept of parties in politics has led to a loss of individualism and, frankly, to getting the best candidates in office. As a member of the dysfunctional Democratic party, I’ve watched with interest how all sides have perceived Zohran Mamdani’s victory as the presumptive Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City. I’m especially piqued by the combination of old party democrats and deep-pocketed billionaires who are now siding together against him. One of the biggest Democrats in New York, Mario Cuomo, lost in the primary, but like the ghost of Christmas past, he has now decided to get back in and run as an independent. He has recently said that he will leave New York for Florida if Mamdani wins!
This is shaping up to be an interesting spectacle of what wealthy people want, party politics be damned.
So let’s take a look and see what the big deal is about Mamdani’s candidacy.
As a self-described democratic socialist (think Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez), Mamdani’s platform is built on viewing the role of government as “filling in the gaps”. He has stated his priorities as affordability, equity, and the needs of working-class New Yorkers.
In order to get away from the use of labels, I’m going to list his signature proposals, and as I do that, I want you to think about this from the standpoint of where you live. Would these proposals work for you? Would they address a problem you know of? Are they the proper role of government? If not, how would these proposed issues be addressed?
Here we go.
Rent Freezes: Mamdani wants to freeze rent for the city’s two million rent-stabilized apartments, providing immediate relief to families struggling with skyrocketing housing costs. This is not a new tool, and if demand outstrips supply, we could see more of it in other parts of the country. This would also directly benefit the working class of a city, where research shows that oftentimes, workers must travel farther to work due to the cost of housing.
Free Child Care: Universal, no-cost child care for children from six weeks to five years old, aiming to liberate parents—especially women—to participate fully in the workforce. Childcare is hugely expensive (especially in places like New York). This would also ensure universal pre-K, which has been shown to give kids a head start on their education journey.
Free Public Transportation: Expanding fare-free city bus service, coupled with congestion pricing (paying more to drive through the city at the busiest times) and making cities more walkable, is not a bad plan to make better use of public services already being subsidized.
City-Owned Grocery Stores: This is to establish municipal grocery stores to combat food deserts and price gouging, making healthy food accessible and affordable. Food deserts are a common problem in many American cities so a direct effort like this where the private market is not providing may be a tool seen more in the future. Right now, many food deserts are being filled by Dollar General type stores where the selection of healthy and fresh foods is negligible at best. Results have been somewhat mixed if not coupled with other investments such as crime patrol and life skills training.
Higher Minimum Wage: Raising the city minimum wage to $30 per hour by 2030, with enhanced protections for gig workers. This is the most provocative measure until you consider two things. One, the highest number of newish jobs are service industry jobs, and the inflation-adjusted minimum wage should be much higher than it is today. Still, this is a tough one that Mamdanni may have put in more to attract voters to the issue of a fair wage as we ready for more AI-related job upheaval.
Taxing the Wealthy: A 2% surtax on those earning over $1 million and increased corporate taxes to fund these ambitious programs. Here, Mamdani strikes at the heart of the matter, not just in New York, which is economic inequality.
Mamdani’s vision is rooted in the belief that government should serve as a guarantor of basic dignity—that no one should be priced out of living in the city they call home.
Now, let’s consider what people have been fearful of in these proposals. Opposition to Mamdani comes from several angles, both ideological and personal.
Economic Anxiety: Business leaders and more moderate voters worry that his tax increases and regulatory proposals will drive away the wealthy and corporations, destabilizing the city’s economy and tax base. Some economists warn that if the city becomes “too expensive” for its largest taxpayers, the resulting exodus could undermine the very programs Mamdani seeks to fund.
I don’t see a mass exodus of wealthy individuals from a place like New York City, but that’s the argument.
Political Polarization: Republicans and some establishment Democrats see Mamdani as a “boogeyman” of the far left, a symbol of what they fear is an overreach of progressive policy. His candidacy is seen as a liability for Democrats in more moderate districts, where the “socialist” label remains toxic.
This is the old attack the messenger instead of the message, which is the problem with labels (and the reason to know the policies mentioned).
Feasibility Concerns: Critics, including former Mayor Eric Adams, dismiss his proposals as unrealistic or “snake oil,” arguing that many of his plans—like free citywide buses or universal child care—are beyond the mayor’s direct control or would require unprecedented political will and fiscal discipline.
If Mamdani isn’t countered on his proposals alone, attention is being brought to his ethnicity and his outspoken criticism of Israel. However, Mamdani has repeatedly pledged to combat antisemitism and protect all New Yorkers from hate crimes. We should also not forget that Israel is now in an unjustified state of a war, where many innocent civilians have been killed and many Israelis themselves have expressed a desire to end it. And at a time when immigration is being used as racial bait, Mamdani has entered the ring as a Muslim American of Indian descent, born in Uganda.
His success so far has blown some people’s minds.
Right-wing commentators and politicians have circulated baseless claims that Mamdani seeks to impose Sharia law, is a “jihadist,” or has ties to extremist groups. These accusations are entirely unfounded and have been debunked by fact-checkers. Some of you may recall that this cartoonish method of slander was tried during candidate Obama’s run for the presidency. Republican lawmakers have also demanded that Mamdani be stripped of his citizenship and deported, a move that is not only legally baseless but also rooted in xenophobia.
The rise of Trump has normalized such rhetoric at the highest levels of American politics and created a climate where attacks on Mamdani’s identity are seen as politically expedient.
In more normal times our good sense and character would question the person saying such things as an obvioius idiot.
Zohran Mamdani’s candidacy is a litmus test for American democracy.
Why?
Because he would not be seen as different or unusual in a healthy, functioning democracy.
It exposes the tensions between those who see government as a force for a better union and those who fear change.
The backlash against him is fueled not only by legitimate policy disagreements but by racism, Islamophobia, and xenophobia. While his proposals are ambitious and not without risk, they are grounded in a vision of a city that works for everyone—not just the wealthy or the powerful, and some economists have backed them.
In a nation wrestling with its identity, Mamdani’s New York efforts could become a beacon of what is possible when we dare to imagine a more just and inclusive future. Take special note: Mamdani’s win is also a result of Rank Choice Voting, a method of supporting the consensus best candidate I mentioned way back in Issue 38.
Ultimately, the debate over Mamdani’s candidacy needs to move from the labels to the policies. It is a question of what voters see as the role of government in their lives when a market-driven system is tilted toward a status of great wealth and great debt (another piece of irony is that millions of dollars will be spent against Mamdani, when individuals could choose to put that money into paying their fair share of taxes).
It’s hard to make a democracy work when we rely on law to tell us the right way to act and the right things to do. And with any candidate, do your homework, and don’t rely on labels either.
NO BS HITS FROM THE VAULT
A historic news piece that really opened my eyes to structural problems we are not dealing with. The percentage hasn’t changed.
I’ve tried to be mindful of this throughout my career. I see it all the time. Recognize it and it’ll make you a better manager and person.
A reminder of how important the love of a teacher is for their students (plus the importance of continuing education).
I’ve written about the concept of public space and how to make areas more appealing. Everywhere you look, we have underutilized public areas via a lack of public art, the tragedy of the commons with graffiti and trash, minimal public investment, and so on. If we treat the places we live as places only to move through as quickly as possible, we devalue our communities and miss so much of what it is to be alive.
Now that more places are heating up from changes in climate, there will need to be a lot more beautification efforts like this one, to offer more natural and artificial shade and places to get out of the sun. The author mentions something else I routinely see:
“When we make spaces uncomfortable for some, we make them uncomfortable for all.”
Whether it is benches, bus stops, or rest stops sitting in the baking sun, sidewalks exposed and disconnected, blank walls, open ditches, fenced-off stormwater ponds, and busy roads through the heart of neighborhoods, it all serves to devalue the human experience.
We can do so much better if we choose to.
This is about a 30-minute video from journalists that’s worth watching. They are individuals who have been on the frontline of working to ensure the truth is not lost, that facts matter, and that the role of journalism remains entrenched.
Their role is not to make one man happy.
When they are again considered “mainstream”, I’ll know we have turned the corner on this McCarthy era Fox News age of obnoxious and false stories passing as truth and journalism.
This is the way to do it. Where much is given, (or much money is made), much is expected.
Changing lives.
There are two ways to do it.
Right now, the US has decided that the proper way is to depend upon the good graces of those who do well to give back to communities of their own accord. If we have enough Americans like this, then maybe that works.
But it’s not happening now.
We must have a fairer taxation system that doesn’t depend upon the good grace of the well off.
However….
There's always going to be a need for people to simply care about their communities and other people's kids, and give back beyond taxes.
A stable government of the people, for the people, and by the people needs both.
And Now….
I’m exploring the world with my family. I feel humbled. I feel proud. I hope you have the opportunity to do the same with yours.
Always work to be a good human.