Socialism is rearing its ugly head once again, and this time it’s being championed by the radical Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani, who has shocked everyone with his recent victory in the New York City mayoral primary. This alarming event is a loud and clear sign that the toxic ideology, which dismantled entire societies in the past, is back in the spotlight.
As someone who escaped the clutches of the Soviet regime, I recognize Mamdani’s promises—such as city-run grocery stores and his disdain for the wealthy—as echoes of a dark past. His polished rhetoric hides a disturbing antisemitism that should alarm every New Yorker.
Since being exiled from Putin’s Russia in 2013, I have proudly called New York my home, yet the rise of socialist sentiment is a chilling reminder of what we should vehemently oppose. Back to the USSR? Absolutely not.
Mamdani may appear savvy and strategic, but don’t let his facade fool you. American resistance to socialist policies has weakened since the Cold War, and the danger is that these ideas, which once existed on the fringes, are now making their way into mainstream politics.
Consider Bernie Sanders—he’s an eloquent advocate of anti-corporate sentiment, stirring up fervor among a certain base. While his idealism may have a place in the political spectrum, it remains confined to the Senate, and there it should stay. A position like New York City mayor is altogether different and poses a severe risk when filled by a non-capitalist.
With over 8 million residents and an economy larger than most nations, electing a mayor who dismisses capitalism is akin to appointing a Secretary of Health who rejects vaccines. It’s utterly absurd.
Winston Churchill once said that a nation trying to tax itself into prosperity is like a man trying to lift himself by his bootstraps while standing in a bucket. Even the slightest socialist policies can wreak havoc in rapid succession, and to normalize them poses an existential threat.
Mamdani wants to eliminate billionaires, but his policies risk driving businesses out of the city to lower-regulation states. Be cautious of anyone claiming to eradicate poverty while focusing solely on the wealthy; the two concepts are never intertwined.
When examining socialism, look at its track record. Those who tout Northern Europe as a success story must be reminded that these nations prospered through capitalism, funded robust welfare from that foundation, and continue to value free markets over socialist gimmicks.
Meanwhile, European nations have thrived thanks to American innovation and military support. Unlike them, America can’t simply coast on the success of others. We built our legacy on hard work and ingenuity.
I’m not against regulation or taxes when there’s genuine necessity; they play a crucial part in maintaining the public good. For inspiration, I look to Theodore Roosevelt, who fought against monopolies but never sought to redistribute the results unfairly. He believed in providing everyone with a fair opportunity rather than guaranteeing identical outcomes.
The stark inequalities baked into capitalism are far preferable to the shared suffering socialism delivers. Rising inequality is indeed a challenge, but the answer lies not in oppressive government control over our greatest city.
Innovation thrives on experimentation, and failure is part of that process—something no central planner can predict or manage. While Mamdani may not intend to establish a totalitarian regime, his misguided policies may nonetheless threaten the very prosperity that New York embodies.
The notion of “socialism lite” is an illusion; it’s never as benign as its advocates claim, yet they will always insist on needing just a bit more power to make it work. History shows us that power, once granted to the government, is nearly impossible to reclaim without a fight. It’s time to engage now and stand against this rising tide before it’s too late.
