Lexicus
Deity
Comparing Norway to New York City in this regard simply shows that you do not understand New York City or its rich people.
-
📚 A new project from the admin: Check out PictureBooks.io, an AI storyteller that lets you create personalized picture books for kids in seconds. Give it a try and let me know what you think!
Zohran Mamdani
- Thread starter Voidwalkin
- Start date
Comparing Norway to New York City in this regard simply shows that you do not understand New York City or its rich people.
Zohran Mamdani’s Proposals to Help New Yorkers Are Surprisingly Affordable
Despite the frantic tone of mainstream media coverage (and the revolutionary overtones of the phrase “democratic socialist”) most of Mamdani’s agenda could be accomplished at minimal cost to the city. The only exception is his plan for free universal childcare—whose costs may have been overstated by his own campaign.
Grocery Store Pilot Program
As for cost, $60 million is a tiny fraction of the city’s budget. Furthermore, New Yorkers—like the rest of us—are already paying an “invisible tax” on food, as consolidation and corporatization of the grocery business increases prices for everyone.
Free, fast bus service
First, it’s important to recognize that 48 percent of the city’s bus riders board without paying their fares, according to the Transit Authority. Or, to put that another way: the city’s bus system is already half “free.” We’re just talking about the other half.
$600 million is a large number to most of us, of course. But it’s roughly one-half of one percent of New York City’s 2026 budget, for something that makes life more affordable for millions of New York City residents. And the increased ridership will make the “fast” part more popular, laying the political groundwork for more dedicated bus lanes.
Rent Freeze
Mamdani is proposing a freeze on rents, which would apply to roughly 30 percent of the city’s rental units. That would not cost the city anything, although a case could be made that it could reduce high-end spending in the city. That’s highly speculative, however.
Free Universal Childcare
This is the expensive part of the program. The Mamdani campaign estimates that the free childcare program will cost $6 billion. Another group, the Fiscal Policy Institute, estimates that it would cost a much lower $2.5 billion. Either way, however, there’s no denying that it’s a lot of money.
There’s no space here to review Mamdani’s revenue proposal in detail but it would cover the cost of the childcare program if passed, with another $4 billion left over. As many observers have pointed out, any increase to the state tax would have to be passed in Albany.
It’s possible that the state legislature will pass the tax hike, but there are ways to handle the shortfall even if it doesn’t. Mamdani’s plan also raises $4 billion from a city tax increase on annual income over $1 million (which, if passed, would still leave most of those affected paying less than they did before Trump’s tax cut). It would also raise approximately $1 billion (estimated) from procurement reform and improved collections. That’s $5 billion, which is less than the Mamdani team estimates its childcare plan would cost but double the Fiscal Policy Institute’s estimate.
Despite the frantic tone of mainstream media coverage (and the revolutionary overtones of the phrase “democratic socialist”) most of Mamdani’s agenda could be accomplished at minimal cost to the city. The only exception is his plan for free universal childcare—whose costs may have been overstated by his own campaign.
Grocery Store Pilot Program
As for cost, $60 million is a tiny fraction of the city’s budget. Furthermore, New Yorkers—like the rest of us—are already paying an “invisible tax” on food, as consolidation and corporatization of the grocery business increases prices for everyone.
Free, fast bus service
First, it’s important to recognize that 48 percent of the city’s bus riders board without paying their fares, according to the Transit Authority. Or, to put that another way: the city’s bus system is already half “free.” We’re just talking about the other half.
$600 million is a large number to most of us, of course. But it’s roughly one-half of one percent of New York City’s 2026 budget, for something that makes life more affordable for millions of New York City residents. And the increased ridership will make the “fast” part more popular, laying the political groundwork for more dedicated bus lanes.
Rent Freeze
Mamdani is proposing a freeze on rents, which would apply to roughly 30 percent of the city’s rental units. That would not cost the city anything, although a case could be made that it could reduce high-end spending in the city. That’s highly speculative, however.
Free Universal Childcare
This is the expensive part of the program. The Mamdani campaign estimates that the free childcare program will cost $6 billion. Another group, the Fiscal Policy Institute, estimates that it would cost a much lower $2.5 billion. Either way, however, there’s no denying that it’s a lot of money.
There’s no space here to review Mamdani’s revenue proposal in detail but it would cover the cost of the childcare program if passed, with another $4 billion left over. As many observers have pointed out, any increase to the state tax would have to be passed in Albany.
It’s possible that the state legislature will pass the tax hike, but there are ways to handle the shortfall even if it doesn’t. Mamdani’s plan also raises $4 billion from a city tax increase on annual income over $1 million (which, if passed, would still leave most of those affected paying less than they did before Trump’s tax cut). It would also raise approximately $1 billion (estimated) from procurement reform and improved collections. That’s $5 billion, which is less than the Mamdani team estimates its childcare plan would cost but double the Fiscal Policy Institute’s estimate.
Gori the Grey
The Poster
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2009
- Messages
- 14,085
Lexicus
Deity
Joij21
🔥It's Joever!🔥
amadeus
rad thibodeaux-xs
Joij21
🔥It's Joever!🔥
people here should post trigger warnings when relating to work... or job applications 
PhroX
Deity
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2009
- Messages
- 2,907
Well, I'm usually at work when on CFCOT....
Seattle's Mamdani finally won!
Katie Wilson Wins Seattle Mayor’s Race After Insurgent Campaign Demanding Affordability
In Seattle, first-term mayor Bruce Harrell has conceded defeat in his reelection fight against community organizer Katie Wilson, who campaigned on a message of affordability in a city where the cost of living has soared. Wilson’s platform calls for progressive taxation to raise revenue from the wealthiest households and corporations to pay for affordable housing and social programs benefiting families. Wilson spoke to reporters Thursday after mayor Harrell conceded.
Katie Wilson: “I want everyone in this great city of ours to have a roof over their head. I want universal child care and free K through 8 summer care. I want worldclass mass transit. I want great, safe public spaces where kids can run around with abandon. I want stable, affordable housing for renters. I want social housing. I want much more land and wealth to be owned and stewarded by communities instead of corporations. I want a robust economy with thriving small businesses, great living wage jobs, and strong rights for workers.”
Katie Wilson Wins Seattle Mayor’s Race After Insurgent Campaign Demanding Affordability
In Seattle, first-term mayor Bruce Harrell has conceded defeat in his reelection fight against community organizer Katie Wilson, who campaigned on a message of affordability in a city where the cost of living has soared. Wilson’s platform calls for progressive taxation to raise revenue from the wealthiest households and corporations to pay for affordable housing and social programs benefiting families. Wilson spoke to reporters Thursday after mayor Harrell conceded.
Katie Wilson: “I want everyone in this great city of ours to have a roof over their head. I want universal child care and free K through 8 summer care. I want worldclass mass transit. I want great, safe public spaces where kids can run around with abandon. I want stable, affordable housing for renters. I want social housing. I want much more land and wealth to be owned and stewarded by communities instead of corporations. I want a robust economy with thriving small businesses, great living wage jobs, and strong rights for workers.”
Right, so Chuck Schumer might be on the way out as the leader of the Senate Democrats now, but he had a really impressive run. (He will have to run for re-election in 2028)
20 years as a Representative and will serve 30 years as a Senator by 2029.
That is 50 years in Congress
He also scored a perfect 1600 on the SAT, was the high school valedictorian, and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard back in the 60's and 70's when all that meant something.
It feels like politics was easier 45 years ago.
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2007
- Messages
- 9,374
This is interesting to me, living in a city where on the local train line, only one or two stations actually have turnstiles where you have to show you paid fare. I could easily believe that 48% of train passengers here don't pay fare.
Bus? I think you generally have to pay when you board here. I'm sure a few people skeeve off and avoid paying, but I'd be surprised if it's 48%.
I have always sort of wondered, farebox collections tend to be 15-20% of transit system revenues in the States. It's not a lot, but its also not quite negligible. But the fare is an impediment to the truly destitute. The homeless guy with a cat? Can't afford the fare. The guy who just got out of prison for drug dealing and has a new job that's across the city? Able to afford the fare in two weeks when the first paycheck arrives, but not now. I guess I've never quite been able to reconcile why public transit is a "required fare, if you are caught three times without paying, you go to jail" system. Sometimes being able to get from A to B is what is required for someone to re-establish their life, and at most it seems like they should have a credit line that they can pay off once the paychecks start coming in.
That former drug dealer? One of the few people I've helped out on the street who I'm confident was telling a true story, given how appreciative he was of what was left of a week's transit pass. He didn't have to worry about getting back in trouble so soon after getting out.
We had a Social Democrat win by 7 votes in one of our city council elections (pending a recount), and another get over 40%. I don't think Mamdani is smart to so openly pick a fight with Trump, but a lot of the general goals? I tend to support them. I didn't for for my ward's Social Democrat, but that was largely due to lack of differentiation from the establishment candidate, and the establishment candidate being more specifically pro-transit, and having a life story that very much supported why he was pro-transit. Also, I think the "establishment", with its young mayor, is doing a pretty good job. But I'm not disappointed about Mamdani. After all, Trump endorsed Cuomo (D-NY); Cuomo can't be that good with that endorsement.
Klaus Hergersheimer
Emperor
Trump says he and Mamdani will meet Friday in Washington, setting up clash of political opposites
President Donald Trump says he will meet with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in Washington later this week.
apnews.com
better count all the silverware afterwards, Donnie.
(or should I say gold...)
i don't get it
Lexicus
Deity
Trump says he and Mamdani will meet Friday in Washington, setting up clash of political opposites
President Donald Trump says he will meet with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in Washington later this week.
better count all the silverware afterwards, Donnie.
(or should I say gold...)
If I didn't know any better I might think this was a crudely racist remark.
Last edited:
Zardnaar
Deity
Somewhat plausible deniability. Democratic Socialism=theft.
I lean more towards your comment or a mix of both tbh.
danjuno
Cole Phelps, Badge 1247
What the hell is wrong with you?Trump says he and Mamdani will meet Friday in Washington, setting up clash of political opposites
President Donald Trump says he will meet with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in Washington later this week.
better count all the silverware afterwards, Donnie.
(or should I say gold...)
r16
not deity
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2008
- Messages
- 12,432
communists to take over the wealth by rebellion , not simple theft . Also it is widely reported that some Israelis think it is to their advantage if no dialogue could happen across the political divide in the West , as they do stuff in places . Who would want to talk to Commies who would hang you for your silverware ?
I've seen people call left-wing policies theft from the deserving hard-working job creators, but I don't think I've ever seen anyone assert that socialists are actually going around stealing everyone's kitchenware.
Gori the Grey
The Poster
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2009
- Messages
- 14,085
. . . until now.
Anyway, if Trump serves McDonalds, the utensils will be plastic, so no worries.
Anyway, if Trump serves McDonalds, the utensils will be plastic, so no worries.
Last edited:
Zardnaar
Deity
I dont associate stealing with Islam/Arab though so thats how I took it. Taxes=legalized theft or some variant sure.
Different countries and stereotypes I suppose.
