The Rude Pundit: Zohran Mamdani's Radical Refocus of the Left Is What We've Needed

[babylonsister]

https://rudepundit.blogspot.com/2026/01/zohran-mamdanis-radical-refocus-of-left.html

The Rude Pundit
Proudly lowering the level of political discourse
1/04/2026
Zohran Mamdani's Radical Refocus of the Left Is What We've Needed

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But what got me practically cheering on my couch was when Mamdani went directly at a couple of the shibboleths of contemporary politics, the kind of bullshit that Republicans have been slinging since at least the FDR era, ideas that have become so ingrained in American rhetoric that Democrats often find themselves saying much the same or having to react to them. Mamdani's approach was to take back a version of progressivism that hearkens to the early 20th century and through the time of the New Deal: a sense that we're all in this together and we better fucking act like we are and the clearest expression of that is the government that we elect and demand action from.

snip//

Then, in something that has pissed off all the right people, Mamdani went right at the foundation of conservative ideology when he said, "We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism. If our campaign demonstrated that the people of New York yearn for solidarity, then let this government foster it." Now that's some socialism that walks the motherfucking walk right there.

The great lie of America is that the only way to succeed is by placing the individual self above all else, looking out for #1 and all that bullshit. It's been the cement shoes on the workers' rights movements since the 1980s, when we moved from the collectivist dreams of the 1960s and 70s to the "Greed is good" era of amped-up capitalism. We thought we'd shift back during the Obama years, but that was beaten to death by the greedy fucks in the GOP and their complicit media. What was the Tea Party movement but a conglomeration of avarice and ignorance masked as freedom from the government? "The American dream" has long been a sucker's bet, a way to make one's own advancement the only the thing that matters, not the idea of living in a country, a state, or a city, even, where everyone's needs are the business of everyone else and that helping the least makes life better for all people. Mamdani did indeed campaign on how New York City is almost uniquely positioned to demonstrate how this can actually work.

It's extra important for young people especially to hear that. They have been inundated with the venality and treachery of the Trump administration, where government doesn't give a shit about you and fuck you if you think it should. I'd implore them (and everyone) to learn the goddamn difference between democratic socialism and communism because the motherfuckers are coming after Mamdani hard, invoking Soviet gulags and Chinese oppression. Mamdani isn't a communist. He doesn't believe that all people should be equal in property and wealth. He doesn't believe in the government owning all housing and controlling all industries so that it gives out homes and jobs. Thinking that the ultra-rich should pay higher taxes so that poor people can ride the buses for free does not equal enforced food rationing and the imprisonment of dissidents. In fact, those who keep bringing up that shit should be treated like the fucking morons or despicable liars that they are.

And it's also important that the Democratic Party watches how this all goes down and learns. Take this radical refocus, this return what used to motivate the left and the center-left and, hell, even the center politically, and use it. It's time to put Clintonism on a raft and set it on fire. It's time to assert that government can be a force for good. It's time to promise to do things on a national level that Mamdani is already doing, like shitcanning everything the corrupt and compromised former mayor, Eric Adams, did after he was indicted. Promise to reverse everything Trump has done and raze his golden ballroom. Talk about immigrants like they are welcome additions to the country, not invaders or criminals. Jesus, this shouldn't be hard.

I don't know how this will go or what Mamdani will be able to accomplish. But, goddamn, it's a good start. And as we reach new levels of fucked as a desperate Trump tries to cram in every terrible thing he wants to do before the midterms change the equation, I'll take whatever glimmers of light I can.

[zentrum]

1. Right on Rude!

Stay Rude.

[ABC123Easy]

2. Yes, yes, and hell yes!

More of this!

Hopefully other elected Dems will follow Mamdani's lead on this.

[GiqueCee]

3. I wish the best for Mamdani...

... and hope he doesn't tire of having to beat back the cascade of malicious lies that are conservatism's only weapons.
I liked his reference to "Rugged Individualism", which is just a shopworn euphemism for pathological selfishness.
As I have observed before, the concept of socialism was given a bad name by the USSR, but it is, in essence, putting the best interests of people ahead of the best interests of corporations and billionaires. I was recently attacked for voicing that definition by a DUer I shall not name, but that individual had no argument beyond the classic McCarthy-era sloganeering, such as "control of the means of production", etc.
I stand by my belief in the definition I expressed, which was qualified by, "in essence", because nothing is simple; there is nuance in every interpretation of philosophy, particularly political philosophy.
Mayor Mamdani is on the right track, and I hope that the good people of New York City will help him implement his policies for the benefit of everyone, not just the politically connected few.

[Seinan Sensei]

4. Outstanding and well-said, RP

Personally, I would like to see way more discussion about why I pay more taxes than the top 1%

While we’re at it,
1) let’s keep talking about Minimum Wage
- AND -
2) let’s add to the discourse, a discussion of Maximum Wage

[intheflow]

5. "It's time to put Clintonism on a raft and set it on fire."

Yes indeedy. I have said this for years, that Bill Clinton helped set the stage for redistributing wealth from the people to the oligarchs, and also opened the door to invading Iraq by starting bombing campaigns on Iraq.

I am a Boomer who absolutely feels that Boomers in the DNC sold out the American people by chasing wealth at the expense of economic and social stability. Glad some are waking up, but far too many have taken that neoliberal to the opposite end of the political spectrum and become MAGA, who want wealth for themselves and nothing for anyone who is the "underserving poor" (aka, Black people, immigrants, GLBTQ+, etc.). Nearly 60% of men over 50 voted for Trump this time around. That's a lot of mostly Boomers.

[FakeNoose]

6. Well that stage was set by Ronald Reagan back in 1980, but you do you

I'm in agreement that Bill Clinton was awfully accommodating to those greedy one-per-centers back in the day, however he didn't have much of a majority to work with in Congress.

Bill did get some good things passed in the early days. It's because of Clinton and the Fannie-Mae that I was able to purchase my house on a 30 year mortgage. I was a single woman, with a steady job and paycheck, but no husband in sight. Couldn't qualify for a mortgage until Fannie-Mae cleared me in 1995. That mortgage is now paid off and I'm a homeowner free and clear.

Some BabyBoomers did sell out, you're right about that. It's probably why we have the idiot in the White House right now. Shame on those Boomers who voted for Chump! Their children and grandchildren will bear this horrible burden for the next 50 years at least ... along with the rest of us who have always vote D.

[questionseverything]

8. Bill c proudly ended "welfare as we know it"

Twas the beginning of the end for our safety net

[leftstreet]

7. +1