After winning the election for New York City Mayor, Zohran Mamdani declared, “[He] can see the dawn of a better day for humanity.” The mayor-elect ran on a platform designed to move power from the few to the many by making New York more affordable. While he is a Democratic Socialist, Republicans and Democrats alike have called him a “Communist” threat.
Attempting to prevent Mamdani’s election, several politicians have unjustly threatened to take serious action against the city if he wins. Gov. Greg Abbott stated that he “will impose a 100% tariff on anyone moving to Texas from NYC,” and asked for “a moment of silence for NYC” following the election.
At this point, all that separates Abbott from an infant is his diaper size. The governor cannot seriously claim to defend the Constitution adamantly while actively disregarding it. States do not have the power to tax citizens from one state moving to another. His declaration signifies nothing more than childish political signaling.
Before the governor gave his “thoughts and prayers” to NYC for Mamdani’s election, he should have taken a look inward at what his policies have done for Texas. Republicans have controlled the Texas Governor’s office for over 30 years, but have yet to implement positive change.
Texas ranks sixth worst in the nation for affordable housing, only slightly lower than the national average for overall cost-of-living and nearly last for healthcare, with no indications of improving. Many of Mamdani’s policies would benefit Abbott and Texas.
In large Texas cities like Austin and San Antonio, poverty-stricken residents are continuously priced out of their neighborhoods. While Abbott is the boy who cried “Communist,” Mamdani has promised to make NYC more affordable by building 200,000 housing units over 10 years, freezing rent in rent-stabilized apartments and changing the city tax system to combat gentrification.
The state also had the opportunity to care for its poorest residents in the latest election. Instead, it elected to prioritize tax issues that more predominantly affect wealthier Texans. While Abbott has sent the Texas Guard to arrest immigrant families in other states, Mamdani promises to fix NYC’s cost of living issues by making buses free, creating city-owned grocery stores and regulating corporations with abusive practices.
The only thoughts that should be sent to New York are thoughts to move there.
It is truly a wonder how politicians have failed to move past calling any progressive a “Communist.” Rather than actually addressing progressive policies for what they are, an immature label is slapped on them. After over 100 years, the practice has proven tiring and unproductive.
Hopefully, Mamdani’s victory can inspire Abbott to finally dare take a seat at the grown-ups’ table. Until then, his low-effort comments will spoil, letting Texas and his party fall behind.
