NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani released a propaganda video on Saturday gushing about his plan to bring Soviet-style, government-run grocery stores to the Big Apple, claiming it will usher in a “new era” of delivering “affordable” shopping for all.
“New York City, it is time for a grand experiment once again,” says the socialist pol, serving as narrator in the minute-long segment released by the Mayor’s Office and posted on social media platforms.
“Just as [ex-Mayor Fiorello] LaGuardia used government to respond to the challenges of the Great Depression, we will use government to respond to rising prices and unaffordable groceries.”
The video shows a shopping cart being wheeled through an immaculate supermarket, filled with fruits, vegetables, eggs, coffee, and other high-quality products — while a caption flashes: “affordable groceries for everyone.”
During his mayoral run last year, Mamdani promised to open publicly owned grocery stores in each of the five boroughs.
Earlier this month, Hizzoner announced one of the locations will be at the city-owned La Marqueta marketplace site in East Harlem, but building it will cost taxpayers a staggering $30 million—four times what rival markets spend on construction.
The mayor hopes to have all five markets operating by 2029, with at least one opening next year. The city has set aside $70 million in capital funds to build the markets.
“The city will subsidize a core set of staples: a private operator will run a store, but they answer to the standards that the city will set,” Mamdani says in the segment.
“Bread will be cheaper. Eggs will be cheaper. Grocery shopping will no longer be an unsolvable equation, and workers will be treated with dignity.
“This is what we mean by a new era. When New Yorkers are being priced out of their groceries, government will step in and deliver affordability.”
The video drew ire from plenty of critics on X, who claimed Mamdani’s plan is a disaster waiting to happen.
“This is such a f–king con on so many levels,” railed one.
“This is a cartoon for children,” said another critic.” “No person with any sense in their head is about to believe that a ‘new era’ of affordable grocery shopping is being ushered in. You don’t get something for nothing. You don’t get food for less than the cost of growing, packaging and delivering it.”
“What is the price difference New Yorkers can expect from shopping here?” said retired NYPD John Macari Jr., who co-hosts the “New York’s Finest: Retired & Unfiltered Podcast.”
“Essentially define what ‘affordable’ will look like in city-owned grocery stores in 2029. Not gonna hold my breath on that answer.”
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