Mamdani’s NYC gamble: Tax the rich or lose them?

Key Concepts

• New York City Tax Increase: Proposed 2% tax hike on high earners (effectively a 52% increase), aimed at closing a $12 billion budget gap.
• Election Integrity: The “Save America Act” focusing on voter ID, citizenship confirmation, and eliminating mail-in ballots.
• Immigration Enforcement: Discussion of Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis, ICE’s role, and concerns about non-citizen voting.
• Messaging in Political Discourse: The importance of framing and specific examples in communicating policy positions, particularly regarding immigration.
• Election Roll Accuracy: Issues with voter registration addresses and potential for fraudulent registrations.

New York City Tax Proposal & Economic Concerns

The discussion began with a proposed 2% tax increase on New York City’s wealthiest residents, framed by commie Make Mamdani as a solution to the city’s $12 billion budget deficit. However, panelists DeRoy Murdock and Brianna Lyman highlighted the deceptive nature of this figure, pointing out that a 2% increase on an existing 3.8% tax rate actually represents a 52% tax hike. Murdock argued this would incentivize wealthy individuals to leave the state, stating, “Get ready to have a lot of New Yorker neighbors” in states like Texas, Tennessee, and Florida. Lyman added that capital is “fungible” and will move to more favorable tax environments, citing California’s recent exodus as an example. She emphasized that only New Yorkers who rely on the wealth of these high earners would ultimately be harmed. Dagen McDowell noted New York already has the highest marginal tax rate in the nation, and the proposed increase continues a pattern of tax hikes rather than service cuts. A point was raised about the city’s reliance on Wall Street revenue, with Wall Street currently covering $7 of the $12 billion deficit.

The “Save America Act” and Election Security

The conversation shifted to the “Save America Act,” recently passed by the House with only Republican support. The Act’s three core tenets are voter ID with a photo, confirmation of U.S. citizenship, and the elimination of mail-in ballots. Murdock asserted that support for these measures is widespread across the political spectrum, except among Democrats in Congress. He criticized the claim that voter ID requirements are racist, arguing that showing identification is a common requirement in many aspects of life, such as air travel. He countered the argument that some individuals may lack ID, stating, “The idea that we can’t get I.D. cards we’re not smart enough is racist.” Dagen McDowell added to this point, referencing accusations of misogyny related to name changes after marriage. The panelists also discussed concerns about non-citizen voting, with Murdock highlighting reports of non-citizens admitting to voting in Georgia. A recent demand by one Democrat to ban ICE from polling places was presented as further evidence of potential illegal voting activity. Lyman emphasized the need to address faulty voter registration addresses, citing examples of voters registered at abandoned houses and closed homeless shelters.

Immigration Enforcement & Messaging Challenges

The discussion then turned to the end of Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis. Lyman questioned the extent of cooperation from local officials, noting conflicting statements from Tom Homan and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. She criticized Donald Trump’s messaging on immigration, suggesting he needs to emphasize the criminal backgrounds of those being deported, rather than portraying them as harmless individuals. Murdock strongly agreed, advocating for the use of paid advertisements featuring the faces of deported criminals – “child rapists, robbers, murderers, multiple murderers” – to counter negative perceptions. He argued that focusing on the severity of crimes committed by deportees would resonate more effectively with voters.

Concluding Remarks & Concerns about Election Integrity

The conversation concluded with a brief mention of a Katie Couric interview with Senator Rand Paul, where Couric dismissed concerns about 14% of violent criminals. The panelists expressed concern about the broader implications of these discussions, particularly regarding the integrity of the electoral process and the potential for non-citizens to influence election outcomes. The underlying theme throughout the segment was a critique of Democratic policies and a call for stricter enforcement of existing laws, particularly concerning taxation, immigration, and election security.