Why is Mamdani so popular with New Yorkers?
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Why is Mamdani so popular with New Yorkers? Is it because he makes extravagant promises of free ponies for everyone and looks cute in a suit?
In reality the growing popularity of the mayor is built on his commitment to doing something much less glamorous: listening to and untangling the problems government can cause for ordinary people and business owners.
Consider this collection of changes to city "red tape"
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Why is Mamdani so popular with New Yorkers? Is it because he makes extravagant promises of free ponies for everyone and looks cute in a suit?
In reality the growing popularity of the mayor is built on his commitment to doing something much less glamorous: listening to and untangling the problems government can cause for ordinary people and business owners.
Consider this collection of changes to city "red tape"
1/
Simplifying permitting processes and getting rid of old illogical laws is "low hanging fruit" there isn't any lobby or group that likes this stuff, but for decades no one could be bothered to fix it because the small vendors aren't a powerful political lobby.
The choice to take the time to explain the changes to the public and celebrate them is also significant.
This stuff is what city government work is really all about.
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Simplifying permitting processes and getting rid of old illogical laws is "low hanging fruit" there isn't any lobby or group that likes this stuff, but for decades no one could be bothered to fix it because the small vendors aren't a powerful political lobby.
The choice to take the time to explain the changes to the public and celebrate them is also significant.
This stuff is what city government work is really all about.
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People who don't live here are worrying about vast sweeping changes, but the real work is more granular.
And making the work a part of a story about a city government making a comeback as a government that serves ordinary people.
Potholes matter, too hot subways stations matter, details matter.
And each of these details are tangible proof of the larger idea.
Many will want to replicate this, but here is a hint. You can't fake it.
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Simplifying permitting processes and getting rid of old illogical laws is "low hanging fruit" there isn't any lobby or group that likes this stuff, but for decades no one could be bothered to fix it because the small vendors aren't a powerful political lobby.
The choice to take the time to explain the changes to the public and celebrate them is also significant.
This stuff is what city government work is really all about.
2/
for decades no one could be bothered to fix it because the small vendors aren't a powerful political lobby.
I don't have specific knowledge of New York in this regard, but it's quite common that big business is lobbying for this kind of regulation. Entirely sensible-sounding regulations add barriers to entry and the costs of compliance are often easier to amortise over a large business.
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People who don't live here are worrying about vast sweeping changes, but the real work is more granular.
And making the work a part of a story about a city government making a comeback as a government that serves ordinary people.
Potholes matter, too hot subways stations matter, details matter.
And each of these details are tangible proof of the larger idea.
Many will want to replicate this, but here is a hint. You can't fake it.
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If you want to convince the public you are a public servant who cares about the details you need to ... care about the details.
But if you can manage that don't forget to tell everyone that is what you are doing.
4/4
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for decades no one could be bothered to fix it because the small vendors aren't a powerful political lobby.
I don't have specific knowledge of New York in this regard, but it's quite common that big business is lobbying for this kind of regulation. Entirely sensible-sounding regulations add barriers to entry and the costs of compliance are often easier to amortise over a large business.
@david_chisnall
The extra vendor licenses required to sell ice cream, or to sell fresh fruit outside of a bodega could easily have been protectionism for someone at some point... but if that was the case the festive unveiling of these changes has made those people very quiet.Though it also possible that they are dead and gone since really no one pays attain to this stuff that causes suffering for little people.
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If you want to convince the public you are a public servant who cares about the details you need to ... care about the details.
But if you can manage that don't forget to tell everyone that is what you are doing.
4/4
Conservative president Ronald Reagan famously said “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help.”
Mamdani is making those nine words terrifying in a new way for conservatives. If he keeps succeeding more people might stop laughing along with Reagan's unpatriotic "America Can't" cynicism and we might all start to imagine that government *can* be effective, fair and trustworthy. For and by The People.
Shake in your boots, Ronnie.
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Conservative president Ronald Reagan famously said “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help.”
Mamdani is making those nine words terrifying in a new way for conservatives. If he keeps succeeding more people might stop laughing along with Reagan's unpatriotic "America Can't" cynicism and we might all start to imagine that government *can* be effective, fair and trustworthy. For and by The People.
Shake in your boots, Ronnie.
@futurebird I can't comprehend NOT wanting the government to help. I pay taxes and expect that to be used to help people. Not to bomb innocents or start stupid wars
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@futurebird I can't comprehend NOT wanting the government to help. I pay taxes and expect that to be used to help people. Not to bomb innocents or start stupid wars
Some politicians are so busy watching their stock portfolios and listening to lobbyists they just don't have time to do their real job. Conservatives have told us for years that they want to "drown the government in a bathtub" (why such creepy imagery? it's serial killer stuff...) so some conservatives will just let it break and be inconvenient on purpose. They actively work to make things like paying taxes and voting as degrading and horrible as possible.
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Conservative president Ronald Reagan famously said “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help.”
Mamdani is making those nine words terrifying in a new way for conservatives. If he keeps succeeding more people might stop laughing along with Reagan's unpatriotic "America Can't" cynicism and we might all start to imagine that government *can* be effective, fair and trustworthy. For and by The People.
Shake in your boots, Ronnie.
Most of Ronald Reagan's most famous quotes were actually written by Peggy Noonan. He is a president from a more literally time when the words of the president mattered more. Even a conservative one.
We have entered an age when we no longer even get elegant propaganda from conservatives.
Can you name a famous Trump quotation? He's not a president of words.
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Most of Ronald Reagan's most famous quotes were actually written by Peggy Noonan. He is a president from a more literally time when the words of the president mattered more. Even a conservative one.
We have entered an age when we no longer even get elegant propaganda from conservatives.
Can you name a famous Trump quotation? He's not a president of words.
@futurebird Donald's Quote : ** random rambling between two phrases **
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