New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, in his inaugural address, said, “We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.”
That sentence captures the essence of socialism: the belief that it is simply unfair that some have more than others. To rectify this, Mamdani proposes taking from those he deems undeserving and giving to those he deems deserving. In other words, life is not only unfair but it’s government’s job to make it fair — not by guaranteeing equal rights but by promising equal results.
Think tanks on the left, such as the Brookings Institution, and on the right, such as the American Enterprise Institute, pretty much agree on the formula to escape poverty: finish high school, get married before having a child, get a job and keep it until you find another or until you start a business. I would add, avoid the criminal justice system.
Economist Walter Williams, who grew up poor, said, “You’re not responsible for the cards you’re dealt. But you are responsible for picking them up and playing them to the best of your ability. That is your duty.”
Consider the wisdom of a few nonsocialists:
“I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”
“At Hampton I not only learned that it was not a disgrace to labor, but learned to love labor, not alone for its financial value, but for labor’s own sake and for the independence and self-reliance which the ability to do something which the world wants done brings.”
“Nothing ever comes to one, that is worth having, except as a result of hard work.”
“When a Negro girl learns to cook, to wash dishes, to sew, or write a book, or a Negro boy learns to groom horses, or to grow sweet potatoes, or to produce butter, or to build a house, or to be able to practice medicine, as well or better than someone else, they will be rewarded regardless of race or color. In the long run, the world is going to have the best, and any difference in race, religion, or previous history will not long keep the world from what it wants.” — Booker T. Washington, born a slave.
“1. Pay yourself first and save a part of all you earn.
“2. Save at an established institution such as a bank or savings and loan and stay away from loan sharks.
“3. Take no chances with your money.
“4. Never borrow anything that if forced to it, you can’t pay back.
“5. Don’t get big headed with regular people. If you take care of their needs they will make you big.
“6. Don’t have so much pride and wear the same suit for a year or two. It doesn’t matter the kind of suit if there is no money in it.
“7. Find a need and fill it. Successful businesses are found on the needs of other people. Keep good books and hire the best people you can find.
“8. Never run around with people that you can’t compete with. Stay in your own class.
“9. Once you get money or a reputation for having money people will give you money.
“10. Once you reach a certain bracket it is very difficult not to make more money.” — A.G. Gaston, grandson of a slave, 10th-grade education, died at age 103 with an inflation-adjusted net worth of $250,000,000.
“Hard work wins. You get out of life what you put into it. You can’t control outcome, but you are 100% in control of the effort. When things go wrong, ask yourself, ‘What could I have done to change the outcome?'”
“No matter how hard you work, how good you are, bad things will happen. How you respond will tell your mother and me if we raised a man.” — Randolph Elder, WWII Marine Staff Sergeant, 8th-grade education, died at age 95 with an inflation-adjusted net worth of $1,500,000.
Mamdani’s declaration displays a childlike failure by someone raised in affluence to understand or accept why some have more than others. The vast majority of “the rich” achieved that status through hard work consistently applied over a long period of time. Boring, but true.
Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. To find out more about Larry Elder, or become an “Elderado,” visit here. Follow Larry on X @larryelder. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage.
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The last paragraph is spot on, as is the whole article! These words in the last paragraph , “…displays a childlike failure by someone who was raised in affluence to understand or accept why some have more than others.” really sums it up succinctly. I would add that it’s the choices that we all make in our lives that contribute to the results we get, good or bad.
Mamdani is scary enough…the people who VOTED for him are the real scary scenario. Larry Elder is great, too bad he didn’t become Governor of California.
When all the helpers and mankind savers stop telling people they are poor, deserving and in need of help, they will stop thinking of themselves as poor and will stop being poor. All the immigrants of my generation and the previous ones have done just that. Do what you must and make do with what you have, it is not permanent, only until.
Love this article about Mandani’s crooked view of success. He wants to take from the hard workers and give to the lazy as per socialist government. This would really kill the desire to do better and work hard. If there are lazy people living off the workers, the workers are going to give it up – then no one will be willing to work. I wish the younger generations could understand that NOTHING is FREE. Someone has to pay for it.
The first sentence about doing away with “rugged individualism” is enough to know this man is a full-blown Communist. If we didn’t have and celebrate “rugged individualism”, there would be no great strides in the medical, manufacturing or literary world. Who wants to live in a world where inventors and great minds are NOT celebrated? They are necessary for a society to survive. It is a shame that these radical liberals have brain-washed our people to think everyone is ENTITLED to have what hard working people have achieved. You do not get the “gold ring” by sitting back and waiting for the government to hand over other people’s earnings to you. New Yorkers are going to find that out soon enough!
I wonder if Mamdani has ever read, Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.
So does he just do the talk? Has he distributed his pay savings to the less fortunate or is he a blow hard rob from some supposedly share with others as a handout unearned? Does he live in an upscale residence while people live in a cardboard box in the winter?
“We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.” When Harris was running, during an interview, she basically said the same thing only using a different wording. It should be apparent to all, this is what the demolition crats are ALL about. Their destination in the United States is NOT to run the country,…but to run the people.
His behavior as a Social Democrat is intended to promote and extend his ideology–Islamism, which is the true danger to this nation. Even worse than the adherents of people like Saul Alinsky, cutting their hair, washing their faces, putting on decent clothing, getting certifications and infesting the educations industry with their coercive ideologies upon future populations of students. This guy and the people who elected him are the root cells of a cancer spreading acros the .nation. Patriotic citizens had best pay attention or stand by and watch it be captured by the insidious intentions of people like this guy.
Great article, Larry!! I’ll share it everywhere as it’s worthwhile to many. The people in NYC are the ones who REALLY need to see and read your article!!
MamDAMNIE, is just another ignorantly arrogant, delusional Socialist/Commie (elected by ignorantly arrogant and delusional Socialist/Commies) building his House of Cards on weaken shifting sand. And great shall be it’s fall. And the foolish supporters will flee from the evil, but it’s too late. They must share the aftermath of misery. Hence they were DEAF, BLIND IGNORANT FOOLS.
Sadly, history always repeats itself, especially for the FOOLISH IDIOTS THAT FAIL OR CHOOSE NOT TO LEARN FROM IT.
I am not sure Mamdani is more than the typical egoist. The quickest road to personal gain (power) within he modern Democrat Party is through the precepts of socialism/communism. He is not so stupid or so attached to socialist/communist dogma as he is to using others to achieve his own personal benefits. Lies, hypocrisy and the fake presentation of himself as the definition of empathy are the tools used to sell fantasies to gullible sycophants.
I WONDER HOW MANDOMI WOULD FEEL ABOUT SHARING HIS WEALTH???
Collectivism = communism
People prefer to back a proven winner. That’s why successful people keep getting richer, other people see their success and want to tag along by investing in them.
Socialism invests in losers. Now, some losers are only so due to bad luck, and they deserve 2nd and 3rd chances. But way too many losers are so because of bad character. The oversized amount of resources socialism wastes by investing in those kinds of losers are why it fails. Worse, it discourages those kinds of losers from making the necessary improvements in their character to become winners. They stay losers and keep sucking resources from society bringing everyone down.
Mamdani thinks ‘rugged individualism’ is silly and a thing of the past. What he/they/them want now are broke-down, stoop-shouldered dead-heads and non-thinkers, doing what they are told…
Outcomes are Zero for ALL
Take from the rich? Yes.
Give to the poor? Heck no. He will take it and use it for his own power. The poor will get NOTHING. They will end up poorer than when he came into office…just like is buddy Ilhan Omar. She has certainly taken care of her criminal buddies.
Mamdani’s name should be respelt as Mamdummy.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Larry Elder for composing this exceptional article. I firmly believe that Mamdani’s limited understanding of the economic agendas in one of the world’s most populous cities may stem from his potential disregard for the American Constitution, American economy, and American culture. I recently came across the work of Economist Walter Williams, and I found his insights to be both remarkable and enlightening.
When will the people who follow, Mamdani, that his “collectivism,” means they ride a free bus and he gets a luxury car with a driver? That they will live in dormitory type sub-living while he lives in a mansion? That when they go to Jones Beach or Coney Island for a day or 2 off, Mamdani goes to resorts in places like Qatar and Puerto Rico? “Collectivism” more like a king and peasants. Do they know that “Bernie” is a millionaire? Oh, yeah this is communism, which comes with no belief in Our loving Heavenly Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit
I have to wonder how his parents made their money. How much of it have they given to the collective? What is his net worth? Should be about 0, if he really believes the nonsense he spouts. I’m surprised that his campaign slogan wasn’t Resistance is Futile – Prepare to be Assimilated
As a retired White male, I’ve grown up in a mixed society from California to New York and my parents taught me respect for the individual, not color or race! Our society has long been laced with men and women of above average character and ability from every race who are what makes our country great. Until we stop seeing race and ethnicity in every Liberal moment, the Democrat party and false Socialists within it will continue sewing the seeds of hatred where there really isn’t any! We as American people need to correct our politics or suffer the same fate as all other failed experiments!
No rugged individualism? Beware the Borg! NYC has determined for itself that “Resistance Is Futile”!
Funny rugged individualism always warms my heart. This commie can take a hike.
Mamdani is a very foolish man. He is controlled by Satan himself. He is a puppet of the communist/globalists. Watch his very short reign of terror come to an end. Even the ignorant will see what he proclaims is false propaganda. Those across this country that think his philosophy is correct will reject him and his teachings as things play out. Communism has no place in a free America with individual rights and neither does he. I feel sorry for the patriots in New York state that want nothing to do with this fraudster.
Mamdani is professing to change a lot if what he cannot . He promises what he simply cannot deliver…and he does not understand the American way of commitment and love of country…This man needs to go away..sooner than later.
The promise of equality always ends up the same under Socialist/Communist control. That is that some enjoy great wealth while all others become equally as poor and downtrodden.
Oops! Sorry, the first sentence I wrote should have the word, “know” in it. “When wii the people who follow, Mamdani know…