Great article! Written in a way that explains American socialism sensibly. Of course the status quo is visciously opposed. They seem to want everyone but them to pay and pay for things of common good.I certainly want to share this article. Thank You.
I think what makes Zohran special too and how his example can help other left wing movements, organizers and hopefully electeds: he seems happy! And fun to be around! While he calls out the corruption and wealth and greed he also wants to include anybody willing to come Join him. People are more likely to put aside misgivings for a shared goal if they don’t feel like they’re being shamed or ostracized if they don’t align on every tiny thing.
I didn’t know you were there Saturday! I was, too (just happened to be in town and couldn’t miss it). When they came out on stage together I was on the verge of tears; this essay just summoned that same feeling. You have such a gift for making these ideas feel so fucking obvious that opposing them looks genuinely absurd
Interesting that New York City in the '50s and early '60s, when the City University system was free to public high school graduates, playgrounds were funded, libraries were funded, unions were common, an adult working full-time at a job that did not require a college education could support a family on a single income, and apparently (I'm too young to remember this kind of information) the national tax rate on high earners was 85% (read this in the Nation, I think), and the country as a whole were considered the triumph of capitalism, but their values were socialist.
It’s either a people-oriented system or a money-oriented system, regardless of what it’s called. Or, as it was said some 2000 years ago, "You can either serve people or money. You can’t serve both."
It's a good question. What are people afraid of when someone says "Mamdani is a socialist!" I mean yeah he is but what does a regular person fear? (I know what rich people fear, they fear a 3-5% tax increase and they would slash their own mother's throat to avoid that) I suppose even the poor and normal people fear the 3-5% tax increase? But the benefits to them are so obvious whats he deal?
Speaking of the fear-mongering, the dumbest thing I saw somebody try to ding him on was the fact that he owns four acres of land in Uganda. BUT ZOHRAN WHY AREN’T ALL YOUR ASSETS IN AMERICA ARE U NOT AMERICAN?? Four acres and he’s a sleeper agent. This was some real bottom of the barrel shit.
I don’t know if his plans will work or not, and lord knows he’ll have enough obstacles in his way with both party establishments firmly opposed. But I think it’s amusing how quickly the smug admonitions to “vote blue no matter who” dry up with the quickness when the shoe is on the other foot.
The word "socialism" has become a catch-all, fear-triggering word that is used to make valuing, honoring, respecting, and helping people a bad thing.
When will people realize that when the government applies money for social services, it does not hurt anyone else. It does not detract from government money used elsewhere. In fact, it adds money into the economy in a way that results in serving more people than when money is inserted into upper investment levels. Consider, "Trickle-up" ands cash-flow to the economy, whereas, "Trickle-down" does not.
This is fantastic and so uplifting no matter how many people actively fight against this thinking. Got me fired up in the best way.
Beautifully said, and so effing sensible.
Great article! Written in a way that explains American socialism sensibly. Of course the status quo is visciously opposed. They seem to want everyone but them to pay and pay for things of common good.I certainly want to share this article. Thank You.
Your best essay.
I think what makes Zohran special too and how his example can help other left wing movements, organizers and hopefully electeds: he seems happy! And fun to be around! While he calls out the corruption and wealth and greed he also wants to include anybody willing to come Join him. People are more likely to put aside misgivings for a shared goal if they don’t feel like they’re being shamed or ostracized if they don’t align on every tiny thing.
So well written, and so many excellent points.
In addition, this is one of the best love letters to NYC I have ever read!
I didn’t know you were there Saturday! I was, too (just happened to be in town and couldn’t miss it). When they came out on stage together I was on the verge of tears; this essay just summoned that same feeling. You have such a gift for making these ideas feel so fucking obvious that opposing them looks genuinely absurd
Yes, indeed. One of the many reasons I miss it so much. All power to Bernie and Zohran. People who actually CARE.
Interesting that New York City in the '50s and early '60s, when the City University system was free to public high school graduates, playgrounds were funded, libraries were funded, unions were common, an adult working full-time at a job that did not require a college education could support a family on a single income, and apparently (I'm too young to remember this kind of information) the national tax rate on high earners was 85% (read this in the Nation, I think), and the country as a whole were considered the triumph of capitalism, but their values were socialist.
Run and read Joshua Freeman's Working-Class New York, in which he describes NYC of that era as a "social-democratic polity."
Great writing. I love this line; because everyone else is right here, next to you, and if they are having a bad time, you soon will be too.
It’s either a people-oriented system or a money-oriented system, regardless of what it’s called. Or, as it was said some 2000 years ago, "You can either serve people or money. You can’t serve both."
Another great article. Exciting to imagine that NY could become more affordable and vibrant for everyone. Enjoyed the digs against Bill Ackerman.
Simply a GREAT article! Hopefully Zohran will win!!! And God Bless Bernie Sanders!
It's a good question. What are people afraid of when someone says "Mamdani is a socialist!" I mean yeah he is but what does a regular person fear? (I know what rich people fear, they fear a 3-5% tax increase and they would slash their own mother's throat to avoid that) I suppose even the poor and normal people fear the 3-5% tax increase? But the benefits to them are so obvious whats he deal?
Great essay, Hamilton.
Speaking of the fear-mongering, the dumbest thing I saw somebody try to ding him on was the fact that he owns four acres of land in Uganda. BUT ZOHRAN WHY AREN’T ALL YOUR ASSETS IN AMERICA ARE U NOT AMERICAN?? Four acres and he’s a sleeper agent. This was some real bottom of the barrel shit.
I don’t know if his plans will work or not, and lord knows he’ll have enough obstacles in his way with both party establishments firmly opposed. But I think it’s amusing how quickly the smug admonitions to “vote blue no matter who” dry up with the quickness when the shoe is on the other foot.
The word "socialism" has become a catch-all, fear-triggering word that is used to make valuing, honoring, respecting, and helping people a bad thing.
When will people realize that when the government applies money for social services, it does not hurt anyone else. It does not detract from government money used elsewhere. In fact, it adds money into the economy in a way that results in serving more people than when money is inserted into upper investment levels. Consider, "Trickle-up" ands cash-flow to the economy, whereas, "Trickle-down" does not.