Is there anyone in America who doesn't feel desperate when it comes to politics?
I've never been interested in writing about politics, but this current administration has me worried that my kids will not have the same opportunities that I've had. Sure, politics have never been pretty. But how much ugly can the American Experiment handle?
Enter Zohran Mamdani, the self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist likely to be elected mayor of New York City in two days.
Zohran offers a vision of positive-sum politics. A better life for one person should not mean another must be worse off. The other side does not have to be destroyed for your way of life to be realized. We must learn to live here together. We must learn to disagree better.
I disagree with Zohran on several things: rent freezes, municipal-run grocery stores, and how to deal with crime. However, I agree with his priorities: fixing housing, cheaper groceries, fixing childcare, and safer streets.
Now, the core criticism of Zohran is that he won't be able to deliver on his promises. However, this is the wrong framing. Instead of worrying that he is going to waste taxpayer dollars, can't we agree they are already being wasted? Without a goal, our bureaucracy will inefficiently grind to a halt and perpetually waste taxpayer dollars.
We are all a product of this broken environment. Until we improve our environment, we should not place blame on people who vote for MAGA. Or for a democratic socialist. Can any American be blamed for wanting change?
In pondering why I am rooting for Zohran, I see desperation within myself. A desperation to move on from the bitter divisive politics that have engulfed our country. A desperation to break out of the feedback loop of outrage and the algorithmic cages social media herded us into.
A desperation for kindness--toward those we disagree with, and especially toward ourselves.