Socialism promises a lot. As Margaret Thatcher said, "but sooner or later you run out of other people's money." NYC has a pretty harsh economy - high taxes and a high cost of living (housing, food, amenities). To give money and benefits to the poor people, the social democrats are going to have to tax the middle and upper classes a lot (the upper upper classes will move to NJ or FL).

AOC and Mamdami bring more to the table than tax/spend policies. They want to cut the police force, do away with jail, let people jump pay gates on the subway, allow people to steal from stores without penalty, foster and support Hamas, Antifa, etc. (who become vicious tyrants wherever they ascend to power).

Most gullible leftists see socialism as pulling the downtrodden up, when in reality it is the pushing of the prosperous down, or ( I’m paraphrasing as I do not know the exact quote)
An equal share of misery.

One of my coworkers as a youngster escaped Castro’s Cuba- he can probably give people a great lesson on this!

From my foxhole I think they have a very good shot; what I see are equal parts:
- Straight up buying votes
- More over-the-top than ever globalists/marxists agenda
- Taking advantage of the "Vote Dem, no matter what" plus Never Trumpers voter base

Hopefully, there are enough people with common sense to realize this MF and his ilk are just a terrible idea.

Thank God, my company has almost no managerial presence there anymore. I'd quit or take a demotion before moving there.

Thread drift: We tax paying Americans need to put our foot down; these crazy states and cities are free to tax, spend and give away all the shit they like, but they get zero of our Federal tax dollars.

quote:

Originally posted by Speedbird:

Thread drift: We tax paying Americans need to put our foot down; these crazy states and cities are free to tax, spend and give away all the shit they like, but they get zero of our Federal tax dollars.

I'd love to see this sentiment stated by the Trump administration frequently. They aren't prohibiting anything, they are only removing federal dollars from subsidizing it. Too many people equate removing federal funding with prohibiting something.

It is a very libertarian concept, whereby you are freed from both government interference and some taxation. Very much un-fascist. Put it right in front of the leftists' faces.

quote:

Originally posted by Speedbird:
From my foxhole I think they have a very good shot; what I see are equal parts:
- Straight up buying votes
- More over-the-top than ever globalists/marxists agenda
- Taking advantage of the "Vote Dem, no matter what" plus Never Trumpers voter base

Hopefully, there are enough people with common sense to realize this MF and his ilk are just a terrible idea.

Thank God, my company has almost no managerial presence there anymore. I'd quit or take a demotion before moving there.

Thread drift: We tax paying Americans need to put our foot down; these crazy states and cities are free to tax, spend and give away all the shit they like, but they get zero of our Federal tax dollars.

I have often said someone could offer me a million a year for life, with the caveat I had to live in NY for the remainder of my years, and it wouldn’t even take a blink to say no

quote:

Originally posted by captain127:

One of my coworkers as a youngster escaped Castro’s Cuba- he can probably give people a great lesson on this!

Probably a quick, simple lesson:

Do this- X
And you land up like Cuba, North Korea or Venezuela.


But people aren’t that bright, they believe that they can do it better than everyone else in history.
“That version of communism/socialism is wrong! If we do it THIS WAY, our communist/socialism is going to be BETTER!!! Yayyy us!”

What’s that saying about history? Something about “… bound to repeat it.”?

My whole conundrum is- you want communism/socialism? You know there’s places where it exists. Instead of moving from NY to Fla, just keep moving an extra 90+ miles and ya gots communism! AND, AND!!! As an added bonus- NO SNOW!
If the snow is what you’re looking for, little fat fuck Kimmy and his hip haircut will probably welcome you with open arms! Probably some nice ski resorts north of the DMZ too.

It’s funny, when they are offered a one way ticket to one of those garden resorts, they quickly refuse.

https://www.breitbart.com/poli...tm_campaign=20251008

Exclusive – Poll: Stefanik Surges in New York After Kathy Hochul Endorses Mamdani

House Republican Leadership Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) is nipping at Gov. Kathy Hochul’s (D-NY) heels after the embattled governor endorsed Democrat nominee Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor.

The statewide poll obtained exclusively by Breitbart News, conducted on behalf of E-PAC, Stefanik’s Leadership PAC, shows Kathy Hochul in a “deeply vulnerable position” with Stefanik within five points of Hochul heading into the 2026 election. Among the 1,250 likely voters surveyed, Hochul leads only 48% to 43%.

Once voters contacted by the polls are aware of their positions: Stefanik leads Hochul by 1 point, 46.4% to Hochul’s 45.9%.

“The data is clear that Kathy Hochul, the worst Governor in America, is a deeply embattled and historically unpopular failed Governor who is struggling to even gain support from her own party,” Stefanik said in a statement. “It is now crystal clear why Kathy Hochul bent the knee to the Communist Antisemite running for Mayor of New York City because she desperately needed to shore up her own party.”

Hochul’s endorsement of the radical Mamdani shocked many political prognosticators, including President Donald Trump.

“Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has Endorsed the ‘Liddle’ Communist, Zohran Mamdani, running for Mayor of New York. This is a rather shocking development, and a very bad one for New York City,” he posted on Truth Social. “How can such a thing happen? Washington will be watching this situation very closely. No reason to be sending good money after bad!”

Hochul’s stunt does not appear to be working. Mamdani did not endorse the unpopular Hochul after she endorsed him.

The polarizing Mamdani has little reason to quickly endorse Hochul. Her popularity since her election has plummeted as her stewardship of the state has earned little praise, including from her own party.

“Kathy Hochul has destroyed New York State creating an affordability crisis with the highest taxes in the nation, and the highest energy, utility, rent, and grocery bills,” Stefanik said in her statement. “Kathy Hochul’s single-party Democrat rule affordability crisis, coupled with the crime crisis from failed bail reform, combined with the sanctuary state policies, putting criminals and illegals first and New Yorkers last, is a political disaster for Hochul.”

Alex deGrasse, Team Elise Executive Director, called the poll “devastating for the Worst Governor in America,” adding that “Hochul’s dismal record of failure and bending the knee to Commie Mamdani is causing her already weak support to crater across New York.”

“Voters want change and a Governor who will fight for them, which is why they will resoundingly reject Kathy Hochul for new leadership in Elise Stefanik if she decides to run for Governor,” he said.

Stefanik’s support comes despite her not yet entering the race.

“What is truly remarkable about this poll is that this is before Elise has even formally announced her campaign,” deGrasse said. “There is a reason why Kathy is running scared.”

quote:

Originally posted by Speedbird:

Thread drift: We tax paying Americans need to put our foot down; these crazy states and cities are free to tax, spend and give away all the shit they like, but they get zero of our Federal tax dollars.

Unfortunately, that is not the case.
We subsidize New York and other crazy states and cities in many ways. The latest "Big Beautiful Bill" included a HUGE subsidy in the form of a big SALT deduction which just encourages big spending cities. Welfare programs are largely federally funded.

I wish we (the rest of the country) could just cut off the big-spending Democrat run cities.

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
Stefanik Surges...

"Who?"- New York voter

U.S. Rep for the northern half of your state. The (mostly) conservative area.

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:
The latest "Big Beautiful Bill" included a HUGE subsidy in the form of a big SALT deduction which just encourages big spending cities.

SALT should either be nothing or unlimited. Any arbitrary limit is a "soak the rich but not me" psyop.

Fwiw, I believe there should be no SALT deduction. Since the federal government operates in perpetual deficit, every state and local government is being subsidized by the SALT deduction. The burden is being deferred onto future tax payers.

Keep in mind those who pay such high taxes live in locations, which can be just a city, that require higher incomes to afford living there. So those people are paying more in federal taxes already.

Alternatively, long term homeowners in some locations who were of upper middle class earnings found their property taxes increased above the $10k SALT limit. They are further taxed out of their homes by caps on the SALT deduction.

Caps on SALT are just another way to bend the curve whereby many pay no federal income tax, while higher earners pay progressively more.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
U.S. Rep for the northern half of your state. The (mostly) conservative area.

Like I said, who? I think if Zeldin couldn't pull it off last time, it's unlikely to happen at all.

You know, assuming we've had any fair, honest elections in the last 50-125 years.

The Democratic Socialists of America — the organization backing New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani — denounced the “conditional” cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas and called for continued resistance against the Jewish state in a statement released Monday.

The DSA declaration titled “Until Palestinian Liberation” came days after Israel and Hamas agreed to halt fighting and begin exchanging hostages and prisoners under a US- and Arab-brokered deal.

The far-left group said the truce “will not end Israel’s assault on the Palestinian people or the theft and occupation of Palestinian lands,” describing it as a “conditional cease-fire” that “does not wash the hands of the ruling class that … continued to fuel and arm genocide while stoking regional war.”

While acknowledging “the relief that may be afforded to Palestinians under the agreement in humanitarian assistance and cessation of Israeli military operations,” the DSA said it harbors “no illusions that Israel will honor any negotiated agreement that preserves Palestinian life or self-determination.”

https://nypost.com/2025/10/14/...estinian-liberation/

I believe at this point, New York UHaul and Ryder need to offer an “Escape From New York” ad campaign.

I just found out that the small department I retired from recently had a hiring process. Out of 35 applicants six were from New York City and five were from Chicago, all current police officers.

I hadn't paid much attention to the NYC election beyond the standard news stories.
So I did a quick search for his resume (I know, it's Wikipedia) and just can't understand how anyone, even a leftist, could consider this guy in any way qualified to run one of the largest and most important city's in the world.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zohran_Mamdani

Mamdani Facing Allegations
In the final stretch of New York’s mayoral race, a fresh scandal has broken open—and it’s one that would, under normal political conditions, send shockwaves through a campaign. But this is New York. And this is Zohran Mamdani.

According to records unearthed by The New York Post, the socialist mayoral frontrunner has accepted nearly $13,000 in illegal foreign donations, including one from his mother-in-law in Dubai. Federal, state, and city campaign laws are crystal clear: only U.S. citizens and permanent residents can contribute to political campaigns.

And while $13,000 may seem like a drop in the ocean compared to Mamdani’s $15.3 million war chest, this isn’t about numbers—it’s about the law. Or at least, it should be.

As of now, Mamdani’s campaign has not returned 88 of those foreign donations, totaling $7,190. That’s not just oversight—that’s inertia. And with the Campaign Finance Board launching a citywide audit, this should be a moment of reckoning. But here’s the uncomfortable reality: it probably won’t matter.

Why? Two reasons. First, Mamdani holds a double-digit lead in the latest polls. RealClear Politics averages place him at 38.2%, trailed distantly by Andrew Cuomo (23.2%), Curtis Sliwa (16.6%), and the limping Eric Adams (10.4%). Theoretically, if the opposition unified behind Cuomo, there might be a path to stopping Mamdani. But we’re just three weeks out from Election Day, and that kind of last-minute alliance is, frankly, fantasy.

Second, money talks—and Mamdani’s campaign has been shouting. With $15.3 million raised and over $6 million still on hand, his financial machine dwarfs every other candidate. Cuomo has $9.3 million. Adams has $6.8 million.

Sliwa trails at $4.2 million. In a city that rewards aggressive ad buys, digital outreach, and ground-game operations, that kind of cash provides not just visibility—but momentum.


Yes, it’s disturbing. Yes, it’s potentially illegal. But in a political culture where rules bend beneath ideology, and where enforcement moves at the pace of molasses, Mamdani may well cross the finish line before accountability even ties its shoes.

The Mamdani campaign did release a statement claiming it would return “any donations that are not in compliance,” but tellingly, they’ve refused to explain why the funds haven’t been returned yet. Transparency, it seems, is a post-election promise.

https://redrightdaily.com/mamdani-facing-allegations/

^^^

"Literally Never Had A Job": Highlights From Fiery NYC Mayoral Debate As Cuomo, Sliwa Bash Socialist Candidate's Record

New York City mayoral candidates Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, his primary opponent Andrew Cuomo, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa squared off on Oct. 16 in a bid for the seat that current Mayor Eric Adams is vacating in 2026.

Adams dropped out of the race on Sept. 28.

The debate, co-hosted by POLITICO, NBC 4 New York, and Telemundo 47, took place at 30 Rockefeller Center in Manhattan.

Socialist New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani denies being a "communist," yet his limited job track record and history of promoting Marxist ideology raise alarm bells. He has long pushed nation-destroying policies, echoing the globalist agenda pushed by dark-money-billionaire-funded NGOs such as all things 'woke', and of course, the “defund the police” movement, made famous by the Marxist rioters BLM that helped trigger a nationwide crime wave in recent years. That’s one of the key reasons President Trump has deployed federal officers and National Guard members to certain progressive cities plagued by out-of-control crime because of police shortages.

And yet, after left-wing Democrats pushed toxic social and criminal justice reforms that sparked nothing but chaos, the democratic socialist still has strong odds of becoming the next mayor of New York City.

Here are the top five moments from the debate (courtesy of Fox News):

1. Mamdani flips on Hamas

During the debate, Mamdani appeared to backtrack on his position about Hamas laying down their arms, saying, "Of course I believe that they should lay down their arms."

Mamdani was responding to a question from a moderator who said his previous answer, which was made to Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum, was "confusing," after he dodged questions when she asked if he believes Hamas should lay down their weapons and leave leadership in Gaza, according to the cease-fire agreement they entered into.

"I'm proud to be one of the first elected officials in the state who called for a ceasefire," Mamdani said.

"That means all parties have to ceasefire and put down their weapons. And the reason that we call for that is not only for the end of the genocide, but also an unimpeded access of humanitarian aid. I, like many New Yorkers, and I'm hopeful that this ceasefire will hold."

Mamdani was also pressed by Cuomo on his refusal to condemn the phrases "from the river to the sea" and "globalize the intifada," both of which are widely seen as calls for the extermination of Jews. Sliwa pressed on this issue as well, telling Mamdani, "Jews don't trust that you will be there for them when they are victims of antisemitic attacks."

Mamdani answered that he will be a mayor for all New Yorkers, saying, "Jewish New Yorkers who have told me about their fear in living in this city, and I will be a mayor who finally addresses that, not through the theatrics of the politics on the stage, but through action."

2. National Guard not welcome

President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to major American cities also loomed large over Thursday night’s New York City mayoral debate.

Candidates were asked about the "threat hanging over the city" of National Guard troops being sent to New York City. All three candidates indicated they would oppose troops being sent to the city.

Mamdani asserted that "What New Yorkers need is a mayor who can stand up to Donald Trump and actually deliver on that safety."

"When Donald Trump sent ICE agents on people in Los Angeles, Andrew Cuomo said that New Yorkers need not overreact. That is the furthest answer that New Yorkers are looking for. They are looking for someone who will lead, someone who will say that they will have their back, someone who will actually fight for the people of this city," said Mamdani.

Cuomo, meanwhile, said that "the answer in the subways is not more National Guard" but rather "more NYPD is the answer."

3. ‘Literally has never had a job’

Cuomo attacked Mamdani’s thin resume, saying, "He has no experience."

"This is not a job for someone who has no management experience, to run around 300,000 people, no financial experience to run a $115 billion budget," said the former governor.

"He literally has never had a job. On his resume, it says he interned for his mother. This is not a job for a first timer. Any day you could have a hurricane, God forbid, a 9-11, a health pandemic, if you don't know what you’re doing, people will die."

Mamdani immediately shot back, "If we have a health pandemic, then why would New Yorkers turn to the governor who sent seniors to their death in nursing homes? That’s the kind of experience that’s on offer here today."

"What I don’t have in experience I make up for in integrity, and what you don’t have in integrity you could never make up for in experience," he added.

Cuomo dismissed the nursing homes dig as a political investigation that "went nowhere."

4. Defund the police continues to haunt Mamdani

Cuomo also knocked Mamdani for previous calls to defund the police and statements denouncing law enforcement.

"Respect the police. They’re not racists as the assemblyman calls them, they’re not a threat to public safety as he says, they’re not anti-queer, they are here to protect New Yorkers, work with them, fortify them," said Cuomo.

Sliwa jumped in at this moment to deliver a jab to Cuomo, saying, "That’s ironic that you say that now … your parole board released 43 cop killers back into the street. Your father, when he was governor, released none. I knew Mario Cuomo; you’re no Mario Cuomo."

In response to Cuomo’s attack, Mamdani said, "As much as Andrew Cuomo wants to bring up tweets from 2020, which is around the same time that he was sending seniors to their death in nursing homes, I am looking to work with police officers, not to defund the NYPD."

Mamdani again touted his plan to have "dedicated teams of mental health outreach workers" deployed to the top 100 subway stations with the highest levels of mental health crises and homelessness.

5. No love for Hochul

In a debate filled with candidates interjecting and talking over each other constantly, the room suddenly went silent when a moderator asked, "Show of hands. Who supports [New York Gov.] Kathy Hochul for re-election?"

Not a single candidate raised their hand.

Cuomo, who picked Hochul as his lieutenant governor, said, "We have to know who’s running."

Mamdani said, "It’s a decision that should be made after this general election."

He noted, however, that he believes Hochul is "doing a good job, and not only delivering for New Yorkers but also standing up to Donald Trump."

"Then endorse her!" Cuomo interjected. "Why don’t you endorse her?"

Mamdani noted, "I appreciate her support, and I appreciate her work," but said, "I’m focusing on November."

Sliwa signaled his support for the gubernatorial campaign of Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., saying, "a Republican Mayor Curtis, a Republican Governor Stefanik … save this city."

Hmm.

https://www.zerohedge.com/poli...y-nyc-mayoral-debate

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfr...dkt_nbr=010502t0rxom

RNC: Mamdani Will Make NYC 'Communist Hellhole'

The Republican National Committee blasted New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani following his shaky debate against Republican Curtis Sliwa and Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent.

Mamdani is a "far-left extremist" that threatens public safety and the city's economy, the RNC warned in a memo.

Mamdani, a New York city assemblyman, has represented Queens’ 36th District since 2021.

"Democrats nationwide rallying behind Mamdani and his communist agenda, leaving hardworking Americans behind, and turning the largest city in America into a communist hellhole," the RNC wrote in a statement.

The memo outlined the most damning moments from Mamdani's debate against Sliwa and former Democrat Gov. Cuomo:

Mamdani called for decriminalizing prostitution: We need to "provide an economy of opportunity."

Raising taxes by $9 billion to make buses "free," because fare jumpers are assaulting bus drivers.

"Lying about his record on defunding the police — but New Yorkers know the truth," according to the RNC's memo.

Being exposed for literally never having a job, as his opponents pointed out.