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To the editor:
Is capitalism here to stay?
Some say it will never die
But was it meant to be that way?
Now we don’t know why
Mamdani whipped Cuomo’s hide
“Affordability” was his mantra
Young folks cheered progressive jive
Rich folks are having a tantrum
Mamdani, Bernie and AOC
They're not afraid of socialism
Many right-wingers have one way to see
And it’s very close to fascism
Critics scream the Democrats’ flaw
They have no message or theme
But when the president mocks the law
His effigy is Dems' angry meme
All men are equal is the rule
But how is that applied?
For some it’s moral to be cruel
Don’t good and evil collide?
The greed of the right is crystal clear
The poor must survive on their own
Socialism isn’t something to fear
When comparisons are shown.
Go, Zohran Mamdani!
Michael J. Gorman
8 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
0000
Your verse discusses the current political climate, highlighting the rise of progressive figures like Namdani, Bernie, and AOC. Your verse mentions the fear of socialism among the right. You question the application of equality and the morality of cruelty, contrasting the greed of the right with the potential benefits of socialism.
The Benefits of Socialism
Socialism often fails because it relies on central planning, which can lead to inefficiencies and a lack of incentives for innovation and productivity. Historical examples show that socialist systems struggle to meet economic needs and often result in economic decline and shortages.
Why Socialism Has Historically Failed
Socialism has historically failed due to its reliance on government control over the economy, which often leads to inefficiency, lack of innovation, and economic stagnation. Additionally, many socialist systems have resulted in authoritarian governance, which suppresses individual freedoms and can lead to widespread suffering and oppression.
Socialism and Human Suffering
Socialism has been associated with significant historical atrocities, including famine, mass murders, and the rise of totalitarian regimes, leading to the deaths of over 100 million people worldwide. Critics argue that socialist ideologies concentrate power and often result in oppressive governments, as seen in countries like the former Soviet Union, China, and North Korea.
Is this the utopian state you envision, Mr. Gorman?
Thursday, July 3 Report this
reenjoe
The happiest people on earth - the populations of Nordic countries Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Netherlands and Norway ranked first through fifth and seventh, respectively - all of whom live under Democratic Socialism. Why? They appreciate a government that looks out for their citizens. Costa Rica, ranked sixth, provides its citizens with free education, healthcare and guaranteed state pensions.
U.S. ranks 25th and dropping fast!
Thursday, July 3 Report this
namrogm
When questioned about his views on the Spanish Civil War Aldous Huxley said he believed communism was worse than fascism because (paraphrasing) it’s harder to overthrow a bad communist regime than it is to remove a fascist leader. However, many of us consider the Trump Republican Party to be a fascist party. Socialism is an extreme solution, but it is not communism and it is the best and most powerful strategy to fight the fascists in power under Trump.
Thursday, July 3 Report this
0000
The Nordic economy is a market economy!
The Nordic model features a " market economy" characterized by high levels of private ownership and a comprehensive welfare state, combining elements of capitalism and social benefits. This model is evident in countries like Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland.
Thursday, July 3 Report this
reenjoe
Wikipedia on the Nordic Economic Model - "a comprehensive welfare state and multi-level collective bargaining based on the economic foundations of social corporatism, and a commitment to private ownership within a market-based mixed economy".
Capitalism governs some businesses like restaurants, retail and hotels, but not industries like healthcare, education, law enforcement, water and power supplies and others. Nearly one-third of all workers are Civil Servants and over half are Unionized. Everyone gets healthcare and a pension funded by a progressive tax system. These countries also have low wealth inequality and low gender pay gaps.
Wikipedia also contains this "economists have referred to the Nordic economic model as a form of "cuddly capitalism", with low levels of inequality, generous welfare states, and reduced concentration of top incomes, contrasting it with the more "cut-throat capitalism" of the United States, which has high levels of inequality and a larger concentration of top incomes, among other social inequalities".
In short, the Nordic economic system is exactly that advocated by Democratic Socialists like Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, AOC and now Zohran Mamdani.
Mr. Gorman is right - "Socialism isn’t something to fear"
Friday, July 4 Report this
0000
Politics, Law & Government
Economics & Economic Systems
state capitalism
economics
Written by
Sanat Pai Raikar
Fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last Updated: Jul 1, 2025 • Article History
State capitalism can also be defined in terms of how much a state disrupts the smooth functioning of private enterprise, the extent of state ownership across all enterprises, and the extent of statism.
Countries such as India and Argentina have a low level of state ownership but a high risk of state-caused disruptions due to government inefficiencies and bureaucracy. China has a high level of state ownership, as well as a complex bureaucracy, which can lead to the state crowding out the private sector. Market-oriented states, such as the United Kingdom and the United States, traditionally exhibit a more laissez-faire approach, characterized by low statism and limited state ownership.
Countries typically classified as welfare states, such as Norway and Denmark, utilize central banks and state-owned companies extensively while exercising minimal controls over (and posing little threat to) private initiatives.
( This system, known as the Nordic model, thus merges high taxation with “free-market capitalism to run social welfare systems for citizens. ")
"Socialism is based on force and demanding what you want. Capitalism is TRUE altruism. Because it asks you to give something to get something
The Democratic Party is imploding, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) hitting the road with their ridiculous “Fight Oligarchy” tour, Sanders suddenly sounding supportive of Donald Trump on the border, AOC downplaying the pitfalls of socialism.
Sunday, July 6 Report this
wpeakes
@0000 (aka J Donne)
Even if you only look at socialism as a concept and not yet a practice, it would seem to be something to really consider given the current state of affairs under long-term, practiced, and, as @reenjoe says, cut-throat capitalism. At the very least, maybe a combination of both might set this country on a path towards balanced prosperity and awareness of societal needs. Nordic countries seem to have figured it out very well; accumulation of wealth isn't the end all, be all.
The Democrats are not imploding and it's not uncommon for Republicans to try and advance that theory. Their message is finally gaining traction and with the passage of the recent budget bill and its analysis, Democrats have plenty to use to highlight the real harm being done to our most vulnerable communities and show contrasting approaches to our nation's challenges.
Monday, July 7 Report this
reenjoe
Quad-Zero, opinions, theories and articles like the one you cite from Sanat Pai Raikar are just that opinions and theories. The Nordic Model has been real-world tested and practiced for decades.
The people are HAPPY - one of the unalienable rights our Declaration of Independence promised would be provided our new nation 249 years ago.
Capitalism is the antithesis of altruism; give something to get something is transactional, not altruistic. Capitalism is based upon the tenet that self-interest works best for an economic system.
Altruism definition: "selfless concern for the well-being of others, without care for one's own interests; unselfishness"
Tuesday, July 8 Report this