to the editor: Writer Josh Hammer warns of the “serious consequences” if Zohran Mamdani were elected mayor of New York City and lists all the horrendous things that can be found on Mamdani's platform (“Electing Mamdani would be a sinister turn for New York and the nation.” October 31):
Publicly owned housing units (Hammer may not be aware of the more than 3,300 public housing authorities only in the United States).
“Free” grocery stores (scary quotes are from Hammer's; what is really proposed is a pilot project of just five publicly owned grocery stores on land already owned by the city to provide lower cost food).
Universal child care through kindergarten (Hammer must think things are dire in New Mexico, where such a program has been enacted throughout the stateand really dystopian in places like Germany, Austria, Italy and much of the rest of the industrialized world, which has universal or highly subsidized child care services).
Free bus services (again, Hammer must not know that this service is already provided to residents of Alexandria, Virginia.and Olympia, Washington.among other communities).
A top corporate tax rate of 11.5% (which, according to one report Empire Center (analysis, it affects about 1,000 of the more than 250,000 businesses in New York City, and is the same maximum rate charged in neighboring New Jersey.)
Fund community safety officers to deal with social problems (which would reduce costs while allowing police officers to focus on real police work).
One could argue whether some or all of these ideas are worth pursuing, although most of them have already been successfully implemented elsewhere. However, claiming that they represent “fantasies of far-left utopianism” that will cause America to “lose its soul” is simply ridiculous.
John Hamilton Scott, Sherman Oaks
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to the editor: Hammer says Mamdani's platform is not reform. It is social transformation. I say yes.
He goes on to say, “For better or worse, New York remains America's economic, cultural and innovative engine.” At least he recognizes the “for worse.” It is time for society and, yes, the economic, cultural and innovative engine of the United States to provide more support to the less fortunate.
The most glaring oversight of our current system is the lack of universal care for children. If we want people to have children, what do we say to those who have a child who is severely disabled or cannot earn a living wage? “Don't have kids unless you can afford them”?
Dan Brumer, Encino
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to the editor: In Hammer's recent op-ed, he paints affordable housing, food stability, and accessible education and child care as a nightmare. Don't threaten us with a good time!
A 4% increase in the corporate tax and a higher tax on people with seven-figure incomes are not likely to crush New Yorkers. Capitalism will survive the surcharge. If these reforms can go there (New York), they can go anywhere.
It's up to you, New York. We wait for you with hope.
Suzanne Hambruch, Huntington Beach
