Copyright New York Daily News
Fear of democratic socialists is mere hysteria Dumont, N.J.: To Voicer Eric Noreen: Democratic socialism does not scare me, a lifelong Democrat born in Scotland who arrived as an immigrant to NYC as a young child, and who does not need to “do some soul searching and self-education.” Critical thinking and a lifetime of self-education on history and economics do not allow me to succumb to right-wing propaganda about democratic socialism. You falsely equate Bernie Sanders and Zohran Mamdani with brutal, authoritarian dictators in countries like North Korea and Russia — who happen to be on friendly terms with our wannabe authoritarian dictator, President Trump. An accurate assessment of governments that can be described as democratic socialist are Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and The Netherlands, the top five happiest countries in the world, which enjoy longer average life spans and higher education levels than the U.S. Why is that, Mr. Noreen? Those countries use their tax dollars, which include fair rates of tax applicable even to the wealthy, to support education, health care, retirement, medical and family leave and other amenities. Your advocacy for unrestricted capitalism without government oversight is absurd. If you assess Trump and his cabal of sycophantic, corporate-billionaire oligarchs, you’ll realize that our system is warped in favor of those oligarchs at the expense of average Americans, millions of whom are poised to lose affordable health care coverage and nutrition benefits. I can only surmise that you deem average Americans necessary victims of a free-market system. You declare that we’d experience societal collapse if our government supported a livable minimum wage, affordable health care and education, which would improve quality of life — like in the happiest countries on the planet. Josephine Kay Hard-hitting victory Queens Village: Wham! Bham! Thank you Mam(dani)! It’s a new day for NYC and the nation. Zohran said, “Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: ‘Turn the volume up!’ ” My four words for President Trump, unfortunately, you can’t print! Lawrence Krasner Mindless movement Central Islip, L.I.: The communist won! What a bunch of braindead voters. Now NYC is in trouble! Thomas Sarc We’ll be OK Brooklyn: I may not be pleased about the outcome of the mayoral election, but I also believe that New York City will endure. Doomsayers from inside and outside NYC are both wailing about and laughing at our supposed future, but NYC is no flash in the pan. And true New Yorkers can’t be pushed around. New York is eternal. Ellen Levitt An air of flair Hamden, Conn.: Many fear Mamdani. But recall the odd people who’ve worked as New York mayors. Fiorello LaGuardia, John Lindsay, Ed Koch, Rudy Giuliani and Mike Bloomberg all acted outside the norms of politics. New York needs odd mayors! Petra Peter Gardella Fanfare before the fall Hubertus, Wis.: A century ago, a socialist-communist with his fist in the air stood up in a Russian square, and the people cheered and rejoiced. In the 1930s, the German people elected a National Socialist leader of their failing country, and they cheered and rejoiced. Now in NYC, the people have elected a communist-socialist mayor, and they too cheered and rejoiced! We all know how the first two turned out, and now the good people of NYC will find out just what they have done. I was one of the lucky ones who had the foresight years ago to get while the gettin’ was good. I’m sure that as the weeks progress after inauguration, the rabid policies of the far left will take hold, and the conga line outta the city will begin. I’d invest in U-Haul and Mayflower before the New York Stock Exchange pulls out, too. Robert W. Lobenstein Already heard that one Bronx: I’m an 85-year-old optimistic democratic socialist, just like Bernie Sanders — not afraid — who voted for Mamdani in this New York City mayoral election. There were myriad reasons not to vote for Andrew Cuomo, but the expression that made me decide not to cast my vote for him was that he was going to do this and that “from day one,” which sounded pretty hollow to me. Trump also used that phrase, and day one never came in regard to lower prices. Virgilio Carballo All the best Bellerose: Mamdani has just been elected mayor of NYC. As a Republican, I didn’t vote for him, but I do wish and pray that he accomplishes all or at least some of what he promised. To begin with, we need cheaper rents, cheaper groceries, lower crime and more police officers, and the promotion of kindness for all citizens of this great city. I also hope Mamdani will promote love, kindness, respect for and understanding of our Jewish neighbors. Also, as a senior citizen of 76, I implore Mamdani to help our senior citizens and do right by them. As a proud New Yorker, I hope the new mayor makes NYC a great city again. Frederick Robert Bedell Jr. Motorhomes Yonkers: We’ve had the very commendable Meals on Wheels program for many years. If Mamdani, the incoming mayor, introduces free buses, it can be labeled “Homes on Wheels.” Besides the regular commuters, a full house is guaranteed once the destitute and a medley of disreputable characters get on board. Frank Brady Unlimited influence Easton, Pa.: All this concern about Trump running for a third term — what’s the big deal? Didn’t Barack Obama finish his third term a year ago? Just saying. Barbara Cusano Tyranny of the self Boca Raton, Fla.: I’m 83, and never in my lifetime have I heard a sitting president blame a previous administration for their problems to the extent that King Trump does. All of his failures so far are because of the Democrats, democratic socialists and, of course, his very favorite, crooked Joe Biden. Never Trump’s fault. I have no medical background, but it doesn’t take a doctor to see that he is an egomaniacal, self-obsessed individual who cares only about himself and how being president can benefit him, financially and otherwise. Most people who voted for him are now finding this out. His empty promises worked in his favor, not theirs/ours. He thinks he is a monarch, with no regard for the people. Sadly, this is an administration of retribution and revenge! He’s an embarrassment to this country. Rosanne Gordon Just end it Bronx: We don’t care whose fault it is (hint: it’s the Republicans. They have the man in the hot seat — the buck stops there). Stop this stupid government shutdown already! Sharan Porper Out with the old East Meadow, L.I.: To Voicer John M. Corbett: I agree with you 100%. I’m tired of seeing all of them — Obama, Joe Biden and Trump. Jeff Tuck Ups and downs Whiting, N.J.: I wish the Daily News would please stop playing games. Every other day, you print the comics and the Jumble nice and large, and then the next day you print them so small I need a magnifying glass to read them. What gives? John Brandenburg Capitulating on climate Whitestone: Microsoft chief Bill Gates has recently softened his outlook on climate breakdown, to the point of saying it won’t bring on the end of civilization. Tell that to the citizens of three independent island nations — Kiribati, Tuvalu and the Maldives — all about to be submerged by the breakdown’s rising sea levels, their civilizations gone. These nations serve as the canary in our mineshaft. If we fail to respect what their sinking tells us about our own precarious future, like Trump with his defunding of safe, clean replacements of destructive fossil fuels, and Gov. Hochul with her foot-dragging on cap-and-invest and misguided acceptance of the ghastly gas pipeline, it will mean that we too, despite reality, are singing Gates’ tune. Daniel Salamon Publicity hound Forest Hills: To Voicer Ken Ferber: Thank you for saying out loud what I’ve always thought about Al Sharpton! The only thing he’s ever accomplished is getting his name in the paper. Again, thank you! Dori Strassman
