Edward Helmore
Sun 29 Jun 2025 13.06 EDT
"Mamdani said he was inspired by the US civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr, who once remarked: āCall it democracy or call it democratic socialism. There has to be a better distribution of wealth for all of Godās children in this country.ā
He then reiterated his intent to raise taxes on New Yorkās wealthiest as part of a campaign pledge āto shift the tax burden from overtaxed homeowners in the outer boroughs to more expensive homes in richer and whiter neighborhoodsā.
āI donāt think that we should have billionaires because, frankly, it is so much money in a moment of such inequalityā¦ "
Iām not sure how youāve gotten the idea Iām disparaging him. I think itās fucking great he won the primary, but itās just not so significant that it warrants this severe of a reaction. Itās a nomination for a local office.
There is never a reason for a president to issue an ultimatum to a guy who hasnāt even won his race, nor for large swathes of the national democrat party to be flipping out about his supposed āantisemitismā. Theyāre acting like his influence is far greater than the office of mayor (which he, again, must stress, has not even won yet!) would grant him.
I believe the outrage just shows that they are afraid, and that people shouldnāt downplay his momentum as evidenced by said fear via comments such as yours. Sure nothing substantial has been gained (as he hasnāt even won yet), and the fight against capitalism as a whole is still an uphill battle; but when hasnāt it been? I hope I may live to see the fall of capitalism but it is a faint hope at best; and I believe every little bit counts if for nothing more than to spread awareness among people. Thus by publicly airing your frustration on such trivilaties as news coverage of a socialist running for such a political position (valid as they are) you might inadverdantly cause more harm than good regarding spreading awareness. I may be wrong though, but I personally know people who see through capitalism and how shit it is, but are too blinded by propaganda from earlier in their life to commit to embracing socialism and the belief in communism.
My frustration isnāt because theyāre covering him in the news. Itās confusion about why all these forces are aligning this hard against a guy who wants to give free bus rides to people in a single city they probably donāt even live in. Iām expressing exasperation at the degree to which this has been blown so wildly out of proportion.
Socialists winning seats is fantastic, every wretched politician and mainstream media outlet fixing their baleful glare at him for daring to reach for the barest crumb of power is just maddening.
Thatās just the fear of the establishment.
Also I think I may have really, really misread your intent in your original comment, and just started screaming about my own truths. I truly have become all that I despise.
Donāt worry about it. Itās pretty easy to get worked up about this stuff and Iād be lying if i said I didnāt do the same sometimes when I get started ranting about politics. I hate this shit so much.
thanks, internet person.
Domino Theory!