Mamdani is no threat — unfettered capitalism is
White Rock, British Columbia: I find New York City’s next mayor, Zohran Mamdani, unlike his political competition, quite ideologically and politically refreshing. Mind you, he’ll experience great animosity and resistance from a formidable American system basically based on insatiable greed for superfluous profit and wealth.
A few social/labor uprisings or revolutions notwithstanding, the superfluously rich and powerful, like JPMorgan Chase Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon, have always had the police and military ready foremost to protect their big money and power interests, even over the basic needs of the masses. Even today, the police and military can, and I believe they probably would, claim (using euphemistic or political terminology, of course) that they had to bust heads to maintain law and order as a priority during major demonstrations, especially those against economic injustices. Indirectly supported by complacent or compliant corporate news media, the absurdly unjust inequities/inequalities can persist.
I can imagine there were lessons learned from successful social/labor uprisings — a figurative “How to Hinder Progressive Revolutions 101,” maybe? — with the clarity of hindsight by big power/money interests in order to avoid any repeat of such great wealth/power losses.
We in the Far West live in a virtual corporatocracy, regardless of who’s elected prime minister or president. Leaders are elected via the first-past-the-post ballot system, which enables an insidiously covert rule by way of potently manipulative/persuasive corporate and big-monied lobbyists. Apparently, the superfluous-wealth desires of the few, and especially the one, increasingly outweigh the life-necessity needs of the many. The more they make, all the more they want — nay, need! — to make next time. It’s never enough. Frank Sterle Jr.
Earn our trust
Forest Hills: Voicer Steven Davies asked the Daily News to give Mamdani a chance. As a Jewish New Yorker, I will give Mamdani a chance when he condemns hate speech such as “Globalize the Intifada.” I am appalled at the destruction of Gaza and the lives that were lost at the hands of the Israelis. I do consider them war crimes. However, I have a problem with people who romanticize Hamas. They are a terrorist group. There’s nothing noble about them. Now that they’re no longer fighting the Israelis, Hamas has turned on its own people. They’ve been publicly executing Palestinians. Where’s the outrage? Why is it only directed toward Israel? My fellow Jews need to understand that Hamas will not shake their hands and thank them for taking up their cause. They’ll see another Jew they want dead. Libby Gurgis
Blame Israel
Bronx: To Voicer Tal Barzilai: You’re right, there have been attacks on Jews because of what Israel has done, and it’s wrong to blame Jewish people as a whole for Israel’s actions. Israel claims to represent all Jews in the world, so no wonder some people blame all Jews for Israel’s crimes. By the way, I’m Jewish and Israel does not represent me. Richie Nagan
Victimizers ain’t victims
Brooklyn: Once again, the ardent Zionist Voicer Tal Barzilai claims that Israel is the aggrieved party. I challenge his assessment. At the core of Zionism is a power-seeking element that is deeply masochistic on a massive scale. Masochism functions as a means of power by allowing some people to control the terms of their vulnerability. Usually, it appears on an individual level. But what’s fascinating about Israel is that its leaders have extended this aberration to include an entire country. This has given them the agency of controlling all moral high ground. However, as we can see from the events of the last three years, this agency is slowly crumbling. No, Tal, you are not the aggrieved party. Palestinians are. Nick Smith
One word says it all
Manhattan: There’s a word I know that describes “reaching out” best, which only Jewish people understand. It has lots of meaning to them, since this is often mentioned — one word that might change other people’s attitudes. It could change what this world is going through today: “Shalom” means hello, goodbye, peace. Alan Lehrer
Capacity for change
Itasca, Ill.: After former President Richard Nixon died, a cartoon appeared with St. Peter sitting at his heavenly cloud-framed desk. There were two over-stacked trays of documents, one labeled “Good Nixon,” the other “Bad Nixon.” A weary St. Peter, hand on his forehead, ordered his secretary to “Hold my calls. This will take a while.” No judgement here, but I wonder if the same scenario could apply to former Vice President Dick Cheney. He might be remembered as a mixed bag, or worse among conservatives, but he evolved. Conservatives should take note. So should liberals. Jim Newton
Parting vote
Kearny, N.J.: N.J. Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill has announced that she plans to resign from Congress next week to prepare to take office. Please, Mikie, don’t do so until after the House votes to release the Epstein files! And tell your colleague Abigail Spanberger, who just won Virginia’s gubernatorial election, not to do so either. We need every vote to ensure that that puke President Trump is unveiled for what he is: a creep so vile that Jeffrey Epstein himself called him “evil beyond belief.” John Woodmaska
Do better
Avon-by-the-Sea, N.J.: Tell the Jets owner to stop crying about the poor grades his team received from the NFL Players Association. Higher ticket prices for a poor-performing team; multiple years of bad decisions involving players and management. Show improvement and maybe the grades will go up. Robert Stiloski
People power over power
Brooklyn: Proponents of the Williams pipeline argue that the additional gas is necessary to power new data centers, but some electric uses are simply more important than others. Data centers that power cryptocurrency and generative AI do not improve quality of life for New Yorkers in the way that electrified buildings and zero-emission vehicles do. Before building new pipelines that pollute our water and air, Gov. Hochul must direct state agencies to prioritize energy users that serve the public interest, and require new data centers to bring their own clean energy if they want to be connected to the grid. Last week’s elections in Georgia and Virginia showed that voters are willing to punish incumbents aligned with utilities and data center developers. Pollution from data centers is a choice we can reject, and if state agencies won’t do it, voters will. Heather Falk
Answers are online
Manhattan: Voicer Simon Cohen wrote that there are questions that need answering regarding Local Law 97, which requires buildings to make energy upgrades to reduce emissions. He should look at the city’s website, NYC Accelerator. After a creaky start, the site now has multiple case studies to review, showing buildings of different sizes and types. You can see renovation costs, financing received, energy savings, project duration and penalties avoided. State legislators Brian Kavanagh and Ed Braunstein are expected to soon launch a campaign to protect the J-51 tax abatement program through 2030. This would allow more co-op buildings to reduce pollution by cutting costs of energy efficiency projects. Right now, the program is set to expire in June, before most co-ops can begin projects to take advantage of the tax credit. Eileen Leonard
Get your steps in
Brooklyn: I recommend buying a pedometer. It costs only $15 and can help you become thinner. It makes walking a lot more fun and easy, and makes it a lot easier to walk a few miles per day. I also recommend getting a phone armband for running to make it more enjoyable to go for walks while listening to music. You can buy a good armband for less than $20. It can help you walk more and become healthier. They are both great investments in your health and are a great gift for your friends and loved ones. Shlomo Klein
Non-cents
Manhattan: Ask me if I have a penny / I’ll reply I have not any / They stopped minting pennies Wednesday / Makes no cents to me, I must say / No more penny for a thought / Inflation has reared its ugly head / Now it’s gonna cost a nickel / This situation has me seeing red / We managed to live for 232 years with pennies / Filling up a jar with copper coins was for everyone / Numismatists are upset today / Collecting them was a hobby that was fun. Phoebe Celentano
