(Daily Signal)—That people get the government they deserve is a cruel adage, too cruel if you live in dark places where a small minority with guns terrorizes an unarmed population—see “Cuba, socialist state of.” But in a democracy, the maxim holds firmly.
Which means that if the citizens of New York City vote in Zohran Mamdani as their mayor come November, and things go badly, then Gotham really can’t ask for our sympathy. That Democrats voted him as their candidate in the primary on June 24 is one thing, but if voters of all parties ratify that decision on Election Day, that’s another.
Then it’s Pottery Barn rules: If you break it, you own it. Sure, it’s only natural to spare an initial thought for our compatriots from the Bronx to Staten Island if things go south, but after that, sit back and get the popcorn. I plan to do so wearing my threadbare Yankee cap.
Let’s see what communism does to a major, modern metropolis—the world’s financial center, no less.
If it’s really as good as its wild-eyed evangelizers say—and they are wild-eyed, if you’ve ever seen one up close—then people from the rest of the Empire State and the other 49 states will be flocking into the city.
The history of communism, everywhere else it has been tried, says the contrary. People will do anything within their power to escape its clutches. Communist states have had to throw up barbed wire fences, and in the case of Berlin, a wall, to keep desperate citizens from fleeing.
God in His infinite wisdom has even given us two examples of places with the same culture, DNA, and history, where half practiced capitalism and freedom, and the other communism: Korea and Germany.
In both those places, the free half thrived, and the communist half floundered.
Why do capitalism and freedom go together? Because capitalism is freedom. It means that you own the product of the sweat of your brow or that of your ancestors, right to property, and are free to sell it to whomever you please if the price is right. That’s it.
The word is ugly because it was critics of this system, Karl Marx among them, who coined it. Adam Smith never used it, for example. According to the Liberty Fund, “The origin of the term le capitalisme can be traced back to the late 1840s when socialists such as Pierre Leroux (1848), Louis Blanc (1849), and Pierre-Joseph Proudhon (1851) began using it in a detrimental way to describe the free-market system as part of their campaign to introduce socialist reforms.”
But we’re stuck with it now, and as Shakespeare said of a rose, something smells sweet or stinks no matter the nomenclature.
Which brings us back to our man Mamdani. Asked by CNN’s Erin Burnett late last month, “Do you like capitalism?” Mamdani, 33, answered, “No, I have many critiques of capitalism.”
Mamdani means it. He wants a network of city-owned grocery stores to bring prices down, he says.
What Mamdani misses is that it’s the capitalist competition of privately owned grocery stores and bodegas that keeps prices low. Capitalists must turn a profit and thus can only price-gouge elite circles, to which Mamdani belongs, with items deemed to be luxury.
To sell to the middle class, stores must compete with lower prices and better products.
“Mamdani blames grocery stores for running up food costs when in reality, grocery stores are some of the lowest-margin businesses around, with 1-2% profit margins in good times,” wrote Yale’s Jeffrey A. Sonnenfeld and the Leadership Institute’s Steven Tian and Stephen Henriques in Time.
And Mamdani doesn’t stop there. He spouts Marxist rhetoric right and left—or left and far left. He is for “seizing the means of production,” and believes in the maxim “to each according to his needs, from each according to his abilities.” In 2020, he tweeted that a communist mayor in an Indian town would make an ideal New York mayor.
Reasonably, President Donald Trump referred to Mamdani as a “100% Communist Lunatic.” PolitiFact ridiculously tut-tutted. “Experts in political parties and movements said Mamdani’s passing remark is associated with communism, but it’s hard to say much more about Mamdani’s views,” it said.
Who on Earth are these “experts”? In the “Communist Manifesto” of 1848, Marx wrote that the workers would need to “centralize all instruments of production in the hands of the State,” while he wrote about the needs-abilities equation in the “Critique of the Gotha Programme” of 1875.
Appearing on “Meet the Press” on June 29, Mamdani was asked if he was a communist, and he answered with his patented smile, “No, I’m not.” Unfortunately for him, there is a record of Fidel Castro also appearing on the same show in 1959 and also insisting, “I am not a communist.”
I’ve seen this movie before, and it is a horror show. As a 12-year-old boy, I made it to Europe with my mother and sister, after having spent my young life in Communist Cuba, where all the stores were state-owned.
The thing that struck me first was that I finally realized why stores had shelves—to carry goods. Shelves were stocked with cans, sacks of flour, sugar, pickle jars, rice, etc. I had never seen that, ever, in Castro’s Caribbean paradise.
Good luck, Big Apple. As long as Mamdani doesn’t expropriate the Yankees …
Originally published by the Washington Examiner
Safeguarding Your American Dream: Discover the Power of America First Healthcare
In today’s economy, healthcare costs remain one of the biggest threats to financial stability and family security. Americans work hard to build a better life, yet rising medical expenses can quickly erode savings, force tough trade-offs, and even push families toward debt or bankruptcy. Medical bills continue to rank as the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the United States, with millions facing underinsurance or unexpected out-of-pocket burdens that no one plans for. Many turn to government-run marketplace plans under the Affordable Care Act, hoping for relief, only to discover that what appears affordable on paper often delivers higher long-term costs, limited real protection, and coverage that may not align with personal values or family needs.
America First Healthcare stands out as a private insurance agency dedicated to helping conservatives and families secure better coverage and better rates through customized, values-aligned options. By conducting free insurance reviews, the agency uncovers hidden gaps in existing policies and connects clients with private alternatives that emphasize personal responsibility, small-government principles, and genuine affordability—often delivering up to 20% savings while providing stronger protection for the American Dream.
The allure of marketplace plans is easy to understand: open enrollment periods, premium tax credits for many households, and the promise of “comprehensive” benefits mandated by law. Yet recent data reveals a different reality, especially after the expiration of enhanced premium subsidies at the end of 2025. Enrollment for 2026 dropped by more than one million people compared to the prior year, with many shifting to lower-tier bronze plans to keep monthly premiums manageable.
These plans feature significantly higher deductibles—averaging around $7,500 nationally—and greater cost-sharing requirements. Families who once paid modest amounts after subsidies now face average premium increases of $65 or more per month, even as they accept plans that leave them responsible for thousands in upfront costs before meaningful coverage kicks in.
High deductibles create a dangerous barrier to care. Studies show that people in such plans are less likely to seek timely treatment for chronic conditions, attend preventive screenings, or fill necessary prescriptions. A seemingly minor illness or injury can balloon into major expenses when patients delay care until problems worsen. For a family of four, a single hospitalization, cancer diagnosis, or unexpected surgery can easily exceed the deductible, triggering coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums that still leave substantial bills. One recent analysis noted that some proposed changes could push family deductibles toward $31,000 in future years, further exposing households to financial risk.
Beyond the numbers, marketplace plans often carry structural limitations. Coverage for certain critical services may include waiting periods or narrower networks that restrict access to preferred doctors and specialists. Preventive care is required to be covered without cost-sharing, but everything else—lab work, imaging, specialist visits, or ongoing treatment—typically waits until the deductible is met. This reactive model contrasts sharply with the proactive, holistic approach many families prefer, especially those focused on wellness, early intervention, and maintaining health to enjoy life rather than merely reacting to illness.
Values alignment represents another growing concern. Government-influenced plans operate within a framework shaped by federal mandates and political priorities that may not reflect conservative principles of limited government, personal freedom, and ethical stewardship. Families who want to direct their healthcare dollars toward providers and benefits that honor traditional values sometimes find marketplace options feel misaligned, forcing a compromise between affordability and conviction.
Private alternatives, by contrast, offer year-round flexibility without the restrictions of open enrollment windows. Independent agents can shop across a wider range of carriers to design plans tailored to specific family needs—whether that means lower deductibles for frequent medical users, broader provider networks, or add-ons that support wellness and preventive services from day one. Clients frequently report more stable premiums that do not automatically escalate each year, along with genuine cost savings once the full picture of deductibles, copays, and coverage depth is considered.
Take the experience of real families who made the switch. Amanda C. shared that her new plan felt “way better” than what she had through the marketplace. Johnny Y. noted his previous coverage kept increasing annually until he found a more stable private option. Sofia S. expressed delight with her plan and began recommending it to others. These stories echo a common theme: when families move beyond one-size-fits-all government marketplaces, they often discover customized protection that better safeguards both health and finances.
Founder Jordan Sarmiento’s own journey underscores the stakes. In 2021, a six-day hospitalization generated a $95,000 bill. Under a well-structured private “Conservative Care Coverage” plan, his out-of-pocket responsibility would have been just $500. That stark difference illustrates how thoughtful planning and private options can prevent a medical event from becoming a financial catastrophe.
Practical steps exist for anyone questioning their current coverage. Start with a no-obligation review of your existing policy to identify gaps—high deductibles, limited critical-care benefits, or escalating premiums. Compare total projected costs (premiums plus potential out-of-pocket expenses) rather than monthly premiums alone. Consider family health history, anticipated needs, and lifestyle priorities. Private agencies can present side-by-side options that include stronger wellness incentives, broader access, and plans built on shared values of self-reliance and freedom.
In an era when healthcare inflation continues to outpace general cost-of-living increases, relying solely on marketplace solutions carries growing risk. Families who proactively explore private alternatives frequently achieve meaningful savings while gaining peace of mind that their coverage truly works when needed most.
America First Healthcare makes this exploration straightforward through its free review process. Families and individuals receive personalized guidance to close coverage holes, reduce unnecessary expenses, and secure plans that align with conservative principles—protecting wallets, health, and the American Dream without government overreach. Many who complete a review discover they can enjoy better benefits for less, often saving up to 20% while gaining the customization and stability that marketplace plans struggle to deliver.
Ultimately, protecting your family’s future requires looking beyond the marketing of “affordable” government options. By understanding the long-term costs hidden in high deductibles, shifting coverage tiers, and values mismatches, Americans can make empowered choices. Private, values-driven insurance offers a smarter path—one that rewards diligence, supports wellness, and delivers real security. For those ready to move beyond the limitations of traditional marketplace plans, a simple review can reveal options designed to serve families, not bureaucracies. The American Dream thrives when individuals and families retain control over their healthcare decisions, and thoughtful private coverage plays a vital role in making that possible.