OPINION:
Chicago and Los Angeles, with their liberal progressive leadership failures, should have been a warning to New York voters. So why did the city’s Democrats select as their mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a man with extreme socialist policies?
Learning more about Mr. Mamdani’s antisemitic, hate-fueled rhetoric reminds me of the stories my grandmother and mother used to tell about Ku Klux Klan members holding public office positions while openly calling for the death of African Americans. It is shocking that we seem to be going back in time, rewarding hatred with paid public office positions. How could voters fall for a candidate who said “intifada” means different things to different people, so it’s OK? Democratic voters need to stop being deceived by candidates who rely on social media posts and hostile public outbursts.
There is no free lunch. Everything comes with a price, and raising taxes isn’t the only option. Voters should focus on candidates’ policy accomplishments. What Mr. Mamdani is offering ands supports — such as open borders and financial assistance
to illegal immigrants — ignores the plight of legal immigrants and registered voters. These people need a candidate who demonstrates leadership, courage and accountability. The Trump administration is setting a good example. Our president’s courage and leadership
in stopping the Iranian nuclear program were necessary because the Biden administration refused to hold Iran accountable.
Furthermore, Mr. Mamdani’s ideals cannot reverse the number of closed businesses in cities. How can the city provide public services without tax revenue from businesses? The man’s obviously empty and unfeasible promises suggest a total lack of understanding of finances and criminality. Theft and other illegal activity often thrives when legitimate companies relocate.
We used to teach business development and civics in our schools to establish a basic understanding of these subjects among our young people, so that fast-talking individuals could not deceive them. At this point, however, the Democratic leaders lack the courage to call out its numerous poor candidates, so many cities are in turmoil — and they won’t improve unless they abandon their socialist ideology.
Mr. Mamdani’s victory could explain why the dismal 2024 election results for Democrats will persist and why their young voters will continue to face economic frustration and social misguidance.
GREG RALEIGH
Washington
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