At a recent press conference, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani cited President Ronald Reagan’s famous line: “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’”
Mamdani then responded, “It’s a good quote, but I disagree.”
Why does this matter?
His comments reflect a broader democratic socialist belief that government should play a major role in addressing economic hardship and inequality. Here’s the reality: New York City and New York State cannot afford it. The unsustainable spending by cities like New York City and states like New York is the beginning of the Civilization Collapse Cycle.
Businesses relocate for two primary reasons: taxes and infrastructure. Infrastructure is more than roads and bridges. It includes public safety, reliable utilities, functioning schools, social stability, and access to labor markets through education and skills training. Strong cities and nations are built on safe streets, reliable infrastructure, and economic opportunity. When government fails in those basic duties, productive citizens and businesses eventually leave.
Businesses go where stability exists. Families go where opportunity exists. When both disappear, crime and decline are never far behind.
A city cannot tax, regulate, and disorder its way to prosperity. Once productive people and businesses leave, the social fabric unravels. When taxes rise, infrastructure crumbles, and public safety collapses, innovation and investment flee — and without meaningful work, disorder follows.
A City and State on the Verge of the Collapse Cycle — New York City and New York State.
The citizens of New York State just allocated $4 billion to support New York City’s operating budget and social programs. In addition, New York City’s unfunded or underfunded infrastructure and capital needs exceed $100 billion. This does not even take into account NYC’s broader long-term liabilities and obligations (e.g., bonded debt, pension liabilities), which exceed $250 billion.
Here’s the kicker: New York State is projected to face a $35 billion operating deficit over the next three years, while its broader long-term liabilities are estimated at nearly $250 billion.
Despite having fewer residents, New York State spends more than twice Florida’s budget.
In comparison, both Texas and Florida, which are larger in population and economy, currently operate without major structural deficits. In addition, neither state has a state income tax, and both continue to experience rapid economic growth.
Similar to New York’s fiscal challenges, California, the nation’s largest economy and most populous state, is projected to face an $18 billion fiscal shortfall, depending on revenue performance and stock market conditions.
Back to President Ronald Reagan
Reagan did not argue for no government. He strongly supported national defense, law enforcement, infrastructure, and the constitutional functions of the state. His concern was excessive centralized control and the belief that government could solve every social or economic problem.
His broader philosophy emphasized limited government, personal responsibility, free markets, and civil society, and held that strong families, communities, churches, and businesses often solve problems better than distant bureaucracies.
Reagan’s philosophy rested on several key ideas:
- Government power naturally expands – Large centralized governments tend to grow beyond their original purpose, accumulating power, regulations, and control over daily life.
- Freedom and self-government are fragile – Reagan believed individuals and local communities generally solve problems better than distant federal agencies.
- Good intentions do not guarantee good outcomes – Government programs can create dependency, inefficiency, waste, and unintended consequences.
- Centralized systems become disconnected from reality – Washington often imposes one-size-fits-all solutions on vastly different communities.
- Liberty erodes slowly – When citizens increasingly look to government for every solution, they gradually surrender responsibility, local authority, and ultimately freedom.
Another Reagan quote captured this philosophy perfectly: “Man is not free unless government is limited.”
In Conclusion
Wake up, New Yorkers!
This should serve as a warning to citizens of other states to be cautious about electing leaders who propose social programs beyond their budgets. In my state of Ohio, we will face a similar decision in November. One candidate offers a plan aligned with states like Florida and Texas, aiming to make Ohio more appealing to businesses and to create jobs. The other candidate plans to expand social programs, raise taxes, and increase debt.
Your great-grandchildren are counting on you to become more informed, courageous, and value-based voters.
Choose wisely. There are no do-overs — at least not in our lifetime.
Sources:
NYC FY2026 Budget: NYC FY2026 Adopted Budget – Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget
NYC Budget Analysis: Citizens Budget Commission – NYC FY2026 Budget Analysis
New York State Assistance to NYC: NBC New York – State Aid / Bailout Coverage
New York State Structural Deficit: New York State Comptroller – Fiscal Reports
NYC Construction & Infrastructure Backlog: 2025–2027 New York City Construction Outlook Report
NYC Ten-Year Capital Strategy: NYC Ten-Year Capital Strategy Overview
Florida FY2026 Budget: Florida Governor Budget Announcement
Texas 2026–2027 Budget: Texas Policy Research – State Budget Overview
California Legislative Analyst Office (LAO): California LAO Fiscal Outlook / Deficit Report
Reagan Presidential Foundation: Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute
Reagan Quote Reference: Reagan Library – “I’m from the government and I’m here to help” Speech Reference
Thomas Sowell Archive: Hoover Institution – Thomas Sowell Archive
