New York City has always been a stage for big ideas, but this year it’s testing one that could redefine failure: the New York City socialism experiment. At the center of it all is 34-year-old Zohran Mamdani — a self-described democratic socialist with an Ivy League smile and a college-campus economic plan. His campaign promises free buses, free childcare, and even government-run grocery stores, all paid for by raising taxes on what he calls “the wealthiest New Yorkers.” If it sounds like a utopia drawn up on a whiteboard in a sociology class, that’s because it is.
The Socialist with a Smile
On Fox News, Martha MacCallum tried to give Mamdani a chance to walk voters through the math. It didn’t go well. When asked how he’d pay for his long list of freebies, Mamdani fell back on the socialist classic: “raise taxes on the rich.” When pressed again — what if Albany says no? — he simply said, “we’ll find another way.” His calm delivery hides the chaos underneath, but make no mistake, his plan depends entirely on endless money from people who can leave New York the moment the tax bill lands. Even JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs have already moved major operations to Texas. That isn’t right-wing spin — it’s a warning label.
Cuomo’s Redemption Tour
Then there’s Andrew Cuomo, suddenly reinventing himself as the grown-up in the room. During the NBC debate, Cuomo attacked Mamdani for lacking real-world experience, reminding voters that “being mayor is no job for on-the-job training.” He’s right — and the irony is hard to miss. The same Cuomo who was once the face of Democratic power is now the moderate voice warning his party not to drive off a cliff. He’s not running on charisma or forgiveness; he’s running on exhaustion. New Yorkers are tired of ideological experiments — they just want the city to work.
Curtis Sliwa: The Only Adult on Stage
Curtis Sliwa may not win, but he won the debate. While Mamdani and Cuomo sparred over who could outmaneuver Trump, Sliwa focused on what really matters: restoring safety and sanity. He defended the NYPD, called out the “defund” nonsense, and made a clear case for law and order. But the math isn’t kind. With Mamdani dominating the left and Cuomo splitting moderates, Sliwa’s principled stand could end up guaranteeing the very outcome he’s warning against — a socialist mayor of New York City.
The Trap Conservatives See Coming
Here’s the quiet truth: some Republicans see a silver lining in all this. They know Sliwa can’t win. They also know that nothing will discredit socialism faster than letting it govern one of America’s most famous cities. If Mamdani wins, he’ll face the hard limits of ideology. The legislature won’t fund his fantasy budget, businesses will keep fleeing, crime will rise, and the “free” programs will start costing New Yorkers more than ever. In the end, his dream city could collapse under its own promises — and the national left will lose its favorite talking point. Sometimes, the only way to end an illusion is to let it run its course.
The Danger of a Well-Packaged Radical
What makes Mamdani especially dangerous politically is how polished he is. He’s not the bullhorn-and-picket-sign kind of socialist. He’s polite, articulate, and media-trained — the kind of figure who makes young voters believe socialism isn’t something to fear, but to try. He apologized to the NYPD, he talks about “safety” instead of “defunding,” and he drops the word “equity” as if it’s a budget plan. It’s all branding. Beneath the vocabulary of compassion is the same old math: spend more, tax more, and pretend productivity doesn’t matter.
The Socialist’s Ceiling
Even if Mamdani wins, his power will hit a wall fast. The city’s $115 billion budget is already stretched, the governor is against new taxes, and the economy is fragile. A mayor can’t rewrite fiscal reality. The experiment will begin, but the outcome is predictable: as businesses leave, tax revenue drops, and services shrink, he’ll blame capitalism for not funding socialism. It’s a cycle New York has seen before — but this time, it’ll be televised.
What Happens Next
If Cuomo stays in and Sliwa refuses to drop out, Mamdani walks right into Gracie Mansion. The irony? Conservatives might secretly welcome it. Let the left own the results. Let the “New York City socialism experiment” play out in full view. After a few years of collapsing budgets, higher crime, and middle-class flight, the lesson will be written in neon lights over Times Square: socialism doesn’t work, even in the city that never sleeps.
The Real Question
The real question for New Yorkers isn’t whether Mamdani is likable — he is. It’s whether the city can survive another ideological gamble. New York has survived crime waves, financial crises, and bad mayors. But this one is different. This time, the collapse would be self-inflicted, and voters would have signed the permission slip.
Final Thoughts
The coming election isn’t just about a mayor — it’s about whether the world’s greatest city becomes a cautionary tale. The New York City socialism experiment might start with free buses and idealistic speeches, but it will end where socialism always ends: with higher prices, empty shelves, and fewer opportunities. And when that happens, maybe, just maybe, America will remember that freedom, not free stuff, is what built this country.
Editor’s Note: This article reflects the opinion of the author.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS! PLEASE COMMENT BELOW.
JIMMY
We welcome open discussion and thoughtful opinions — even strong disagreements — but comments containing profanity, personal attacks, or hate speech will be removed. Keep it civil, keep it smart, and keep it focused on the ideas.
Find more articles like this at SteadfastAndLoyal.com.
h/t: Steadfast and Loyal
My God Sliwa is the only true Patriot in that threesome. He is Common Sense. Cuomo was the guy
that murdered how many in Nursing Homes during the Pandemic! Best of all here is Mamdani willing to take what used to be a Great City and turn it into “Commie town” . He truly is the last gasp of the failed Democrat Party.