Key Facts
- Author
- Victor Davis Hanson
- New York Mayor
- Zohran Mamdani
- Homeowners warned
- 17,000
- Surtax range
- $40,000 to $350,000 per year
- Spain amnesty
- 600,000 illegal aliens
- Ceuta incident
- 60,000 Muslim men from North Africa
Background
In a commentary published on Zero Hedge, author Victor Davis Hanson argues that the Democratic Party's socialist wing is increasingly comfortable with being called communist. He points to statements by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who said 'capitalism as we know it doesn't work either,' and to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's policies.
Hanson claims that many Democrats have long called for abolishing the Electoral College, and that socialists now openly advocate destroying the Senate, the Pentagon, prisons, police, and borders. He also cites Kamala Harris's promises to pack the court, admit two new blue states, end the filibuster, and junk the Electoral College.
The commentary asserts that these leftists show a lack of principle, citing hypothetical reversals on issues like the filibuster and the Supreme Court's size.
Current Situation
Hanson focuses on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's actions. According to the commentary, Mamdani published a list of nearly one million New York homeowners and sent official warnings to 17,000 property owners. The warnings state that if they cannot prove they have lived full-time in their properties within four weeks, the city will levy a huge surtax.
The surtax could add from $40,000 to $350,000 a year to tens of thousands of homeowners' taxes, on top of existing property taxes that often range from $5,000 to $150,000. Hanson claims the aim is to dox second-home owners and force a fire sale that would crash home values.
Hanson also cites Spain, where Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has given amnesty to 600,000 illegal aliens. He claims that 60,000 Muslim men from North Africa swarmed Ceuta, a Spanish outpost on the Moroccan coast, demanding amnesties and free passes into European Spain, while looting and attacking Spaniards.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Homeowners warned | 17,000 |
| Surtax range | $40,000 to $350,000 per year |
| Existing property taxes | $5,000 to $150,000 |
| Illegal aliens amnestied in Spain | 600,000 |
| Men from North Africa at Ceuta | 60,000 |
Impacts
Hanson argues that these policies could affect New York homeowners directly, with tens of thousands facing new surtaxes that might exceed the value of their homes in a few years. He also claims that publishing the list of homeowners could expose second homes to potential squatters and criminals.
In Spain, the amnesty and the influx at Ceuta could affect border security and public order, according to Hanson. He suggests that European socialists and American leftists import a 'victim class' to create a permanent underclass and bind them with welfare-state assurances.
Hanson further claims that leftist projects like mail-in ballots, no-ID voting, and same-day registration are designed to enroll as many illegal voters as possible, potentially affecting election outcomes.
Future Outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
Hanson predicts that if socialist candidates are elected, they may hide their agendas during elections but once in office could 'go full communist,' destroying borders, institutions, and traditions. He suggests that America might become similar to the countries that immigrants fled.
If Mamdani's surtax is implemented, it could lead to a significant number of homeowners selling their second homes, potentially crashing home values in New York City. However, the actual impact remains unclear and depends on legal challenges and public response.
In Spain, if the amnesty continues and border controls remain weak, further mass arrivals at Ceuta could occur, but this is speculative. The long-term effects on Spanish society and politics are uncertain.
Source: zerohedge.com
