OPINION:
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced in a press conference the appointment of Lina Khan as chair of the Economic Development Corp. and Anthony Shorris as its president. The appointments are remarkable in that both actors are supposed to now go forth and multiply business and financial investments in the city, but instead, will focus on spread-the-wealth, tax-the-wealth, drive-the-wealth-ouf-of-the-city programs.
They are of the same mindset as Mamdani, who said during this same press conference that it’s both possible and preferable to have economic development that promotes economic justice.
That’s a lie.
It’s either free market or it’s not.
And it’s supposed to be the government’s job to let the free market do its thing, and not meddle — and by meddle, it’s meant regulate, fee, fine, tax, take, seize, redistribute resources. That meddling? That’s the way of economic justice.
Economic justice is when government entities take from Peter to pay Paul because these government entities decide that Peter has made too much, and that Peter’s prosperity is unfair to Paul, and that Peter’s resources actually only came on the back of Paul’s work, and therefore, Peter owes Paul. Economic justice says that Peter may earn what he wishes, but that if Paul feels bad he’s not earning the same amount, well then, Peter must offer up solace to Paul by way of sharing his own resources — and that since Peter probably won’t do the right thing and voluntarily give to Paul, then it’s government’s rightful role to seize Peter’s resources for redistribution to the less fortunate.
Economic justice relies on the belief that poverty is rooted in unfair societal factors and discriminatory fiscal policies — like capitalism — and that it’s incumbent on government to level the playing field by redistributing resources.
Economic justice knows no phrasing like “individual responsibility,” or “self-determination,” or “work hard for what you want.” Rather, it relies on anger and jealousy and blame and casting eyes at the Haves as the evil ones who have stolen all from the Have Nots.
“With 2 Hires, Mamdani Blends Economic Development With Economic Justice,” The New York Times wrote.
This is a blending that’s about as achievable as the blending of socialists with the Constitution. That is: They don’t blend.
Mamdani’s socialist attacks on the free market may win him points with his low-information voters — the Have Nots who simply want a free ride through life — as well as with the far leftists and antisemites who see his leadership as a key opportunity to turn the Democrat Party ever further toward communism. But redistribution of resources’ policies only work so long as those in the camp of providing, of creating, of producing are willing to do so, knowing their efforts are being exploited by the political class. Sooner or later, the doers will stop doing; some will even flee the city.
Driving out business is akin to driving out employment opportunities.
And dwindling business revenues only put the onus on citizens to close the coming budgetary gaps in government funding.
Economic justice — it’s the Marxist way of using the markets and money to divide society into angry, warring classes, and then seize control of the means of production and distribution. ‘Cause only government can make sure the economy’s just and fair for everyone.
“Mr. Mamdani,” The Times reported, “speaking at a news conference at City Hall, said that he believed ‘that economic development and economic justice must go hand in hand. This is no radical concept.’”
Yes. Yes, it is. The only way of introducing economic justice into economic development programs is to seize hold of Marxist ideas. And that is exactly what Mamdani is doing.
• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on Twitter, @ckchumley. Listen to her podcast “Bold and Blunt” by clicking HERE. And never miss her column; subscribe to her newsletter and podcast by clicking HERE. Her latest book, “God-Given Or Bust: Defeating Marxism and Saving America With Biblical Truths,” is available by clicking HERE.
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