New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, in his inaugural address, said, "We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism."
That sentence captures the essence of socialism: the belief that it is simply unfair that some have more than others. To rectify this, Mamdani proposes taking from those he deems undeserving and giving to those he deems deserving. In other words, life is not only unfair, but it's the government's job to make it fair -- not by guaranteeing equal rights but by promising equal results.
Think tanks on the left, such as the Brookings Institution, and on the right, such as the American Enterprise Institute, pretty much agree on the formula to escape poverty: finish high school, get married before having a child, get a job and keep it until you find another or until you start a business. I would add, avoid the criminal justice system.
Economist Walter Williams, who grew up poor, said, "You're not responsible for the cards you're dealt. But you are responsible for picking them up and playing them to the best of your ability. That is your duty."
Consider the wisdom of a few nonsocialists:
"I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed."
"At Hampton I not only learned that it was not a disgrace to labor, but learned to love labor, not alone for its financial value, but for labor's own sake and for the independence and self-reliance which the ability to do something which the world wants done brings."
"Nothing ever comes to one, that is worth having, except as a result of hard work."
"When a Negro girl learns to cook, to wash dishes, to sew, or write a book, or a Negro boy learns to groom horses, or to grow sweet potatoes, or to produce butter, or to build a house, or to be able to practice medicine, as well or better than someone else, they will be rewarded regardless of race or color. In the long run, the world is going to have the best, and any difference in race, religion, or previous history will not long keep the world from what it wants." --- Booker T. Washington, born a slave.
"1. Pay yourself first and save a part of all you earn.
"2. Save at an established institution such as a bank or savings and loan and stay away from loan sharks.
"3. Take no chances with your money.
"4. Never borrow anything that if forced to it, you can't pay back.
"5. Don't get big headed with regular people. If you take care of their needs they will make you big.
"6. Don't have so much pride and wear the same suit for a year or two. It doesn't matter the kind of suit if there is no money in it.
"7. Find a need and fill it. Successful businesses are found on the needs of other people. Keep good books and hire the best people you can find.
"8. Never run around with people that you can't compete with. Stay in your own class.
"9. Once you get money or a reputation for having money people will give you money.
"10. Once you reach a certain bracket it is very difficult not to make more money." -- A.G. Gaston, grandson of a slave, 10th-grade education, died at age 103 with an inflation-adjusted net worth of $250,000,000.
"Hard work wins. You get out of life what you put into it. You can't control outcome, but you are 100% in control of the effort. When things go wrong, ask yourself, 'What could I have done to change the outcome?'"
"No matter how hard you work, how good you are, bad things will happen. How you respond will tell your mother and me if we raised a man." -- Randolph Elder, WWII Marine Staff Sergeant, 8th-grade education, died at age 95 with an inflation-adjusted net worth of $1,500,000.
Mamdani's declaration displays a childlike failure by someone raised in affluence to understand or accept why some have more than others. The vast majority of "the rich" achieved that status through hard work consistently applied over a long period of time. Boring, but true.
Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. To find out more about Larry Elder, or become an "Elderado," visit www.LarryElder.com. Follow Larry on X @larryelder. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM
Editor’s Note: Do you enjoy Townhall’s conservative reporting that takes on the radical left and woke media? Support our work so that we can continue to bring you the truth.
Join Townhall VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member