There's no getting around the fact that people like free things and will vote for whomever promises them the most free stuff. I call it the Schnorrer's Dilemma.
With that in mind, Cuomo's strategy should be to out promise and outbid whatever Mamdani offers:
Free buses? Heck, how's about free subways.
Rent freeze? Not good enough. Rent freeze and rent subsidies.
Free childcare for every New Yorker? Add in free health care for every New Yorker.
Once Mamdani asks how Cuomo will pay for all this, let Cuomo answer in the same terms as Mamdani did when asked that question. Expose the farce for what it is.
Note: I know this will not happen but it would be great if it did.
I spent two weeks in USSR in 1973 and remember the government food stores with mostly-empty shelves.
One reason Mandani’s support skews younger is that his supporters are too young to remember the USSR.
There's no getting around the fact that people like free things and will vote for whomever promises them the most free stuff. I call it the Schnorrer's Dilemma.
With that in mind, Cuomo's strategy should be to out promise and outbid whatever Mamdani offers:
Free buses? Heck, how's about free subways.
Rent freeze? Not good enough. Rent freeze and rent subsidies.
Free childcare for every New Yorker? Add in free health care for every New Yorker.
Once Mamdani asks how Cuomo will pay for all this, let Cuomo answer in the same terms as Mamdani did when asked that question. Expose the farce for what it is.
Note: I know this will not happen but it would be great if it did.
Regarding the choice New Yorkers face. It reminds me of what my grandmother used to say: "Experience is a hard teacher, but fools will have no other."