R&E Political Discussion 2026

R&E Political Discussion 2026
[ R&E Political Discussion 2026 ]

NY City’s Democrat mayor is going to open government run grocery stores.

Posted by Arwen on August 4, 2026, 7:50 am

Of course, it will cost NY taxpayers north of $70 million dollars just in capital costs and then he wants to dictate that prices for some randomly chosen products be sold at a 30% discount, again subsidized by taxpayers.

There is no means testing (like there is for food stamps), so the government-mandated pricing will result in increased demand and subsequent short supplies, and long lines. Secondary markets will develop based on forced pricing and mandated discounts further eroding supply. Since the government dictates the price, there are no valuable market signals sent and therefore no way of avoiding shortages. Food and other products aren’t produced by grocery stores. Most are produced by farmers who need market signals to guide their decision making.

Democrats are going off the deep end by embracing socialism. We don’t have to guess. Just look at history. How many Americans are risking their lives on flimsy rafts to escape to Cuba?

So Very True, Arwen!!!

Posted by Deanna on August 5, 2026, 9:21 am, in reply to "NY City’s Democrat mayor is going to open government run grocery stores."

The big chain grocery stores only make 2-3% profit on everything they sell......AND they buy the product from the corporation that is selling....like potato chips, canned goods, etc.....so take 2-3% off of the product you buy and see how much the grocery store paid them for their product..... A thinking person will understand that....one that is jealous....will not be able too....sadly!

Mom and Pop grocery stores disappeared long ago...as they had to charge 5% or more per product....as corporations like Wal Mart have buying power and awesome people working for them to do so.....

Cuba is not a democracy. NY is a democracy.

Posted by Ken C on August 4, 2026, 12:30 pm, in reply to "NY City’s Democrat mayor is going to open government run grocery stores."

If things don't work in NY, they can vote for a different leader.

It will be interesting to see how well his ideas work.

Not for long.

Posted by Arwen on August 4, 2026, 12:56 pm, in reply to "Cuba is not a democracy. NY is a democracy."

As history has shown, socialism requires authoritarian rule over time. Free people refuse to be controlled. Therefore tyrants rise up and seize control. But “don’t worry”, they say. It’s all in the best interest of THE PEOPLE.

Walter Williams once said:

“People who denounce the free market and voluntary exchange, and are for control and coercion, believe they have more intelligence and superior wisdom to the masses. What's more, they believe they've been ordained to forcibly impose that wisdom on the rest of us. Of course, they have what they consider good reasons for doing so, but every tyrant that has ever existed has had what he believed were good reasons for restricting the liberty of others.”

Should New York be Free to make their own laws and socialist systems if they want to?

Posted by Ken C on August 5, 2026, 2:45 pm, in reply to "Not for long."

Absolutely NOT. Cities are not on the level of deciding global economic policies.

Posted by DFM on August 7, 2026, 1:30 pm, in reply to "Should New York be Free to make their own laws and socialist systems if they want to?"

Sure, unless their laws are unconstitutional.

Posted by Arwen on August 5, 2026, 9:40 pm, in reply to "Should New York be Free to make their own laws and socialist systems if they want to?"

There is a point where socialism restricts liberty and violates the pursuit of a free peoples’ happiness.

So. Does Trump

Posted by Gustavo on August 6, 2026, 8:09 am, in reply to "Sure, unless their laws are unconstitutional."

with his policies that ignore the constitution.

Well, of course. His tariff policy is a good example.

Posted by Arwen on August 6, 2026, 8:38 am, in reply to "So. Does Trump"

So were Biden’s vaccine mandates.

The USSC exists to make sure authoritarian presidents don’t violate our individual rights.

Paranoia

Posted by KR on August 4, 2026, 2:39 pm, in reply to "Not for long."

No one is denouncing the free market. They are just offering an alternative. Completely harmless and may or may not work at all.

Completely harmless?

Posted by Arwen on August 4, 2026, 3:32 pm, in reply to "Paranoia"

You might want to talk to small businesses that offer groceries in the vicinity of the government’s stores who can’t discount prices 30% and expect taxpayers to foot the bill.

They tried this in Venezuela a few years ago. It resulted in long lines, shortages, corruption, and ended up hurting the same people it was ostensibly designed to help.

This is the legacy of socialism for anyone paying attention.

Even more paranoia.

Posted by KR on August 4, 2026, 3:51 pm, in reply to "Completely harmless?"

You mean the small mom and pop stores that have absurdly high prices? I just spent week in NYC and found that even overpriced national chains like While Foods had better prices that some small independent stores. If this works and helps people save money, it is a good thing.

Re: Even more paranoia.

Posted by Howard on August 4, 2026, 6:39 pm, in reply to "Even more paranoia."

Tee hee.

I see that the stupid has arrived.

Posted by KR on August 4, 2026, 7:29 pm, in reply to "Re: Even more paranoia."

Go away, simpleton twit.

Obviously you have never owned or managed a business.

Posted by Arwen on August 4, 2026, 5:21 pm, in reply to "Even more paranoia."

So, you bought from a store with lower prices. Good for you.

Mamdami’s stores are going to artificially set lower prices, subsidized by taxpayers. People like you are going to buy groceries there because you think the non-subsidized stores are too expensive. That higher demand will empty store shelves causing shortages and long lines.

Secondary markets will further erode business and create competition with mom and pop establishments, driving them out of business, destroying jobs in the process.

How do long lines and empty shelves help poor people?

Posted by KR on August 4, 2026, 5:41 pm, in reply to "Obviously you have never owned or managed a business."

He is opening exactly 5 stores across the entire city, in areas where private stores have pulled out due to lack of profits. This will have minimal impact on local businesses. No more than if new privately owned stores opened up, which happens all the time in a city like NY. No one, except those that are struggling financially are going to out of their way to the one store in Manhattan that has 30% lower prices.

You clearly have not spent much time in NYC.

I didn’t think so.

Posted by Arwen on August 4, 2026, 6:10 pm, in reply to "No"

Mamdani cannot escape the economic laws of supply and demand. Empty shelves, long lines, and unaffordable taxpayer subsidies will cater his socialist paradise just like it has throughout history in Venezuela, Cuba, and the old Soviet Union.

If you ever owned or managed a business you would know that.

Nothing you are saying makes any sense at all.

Posted by KR on August 4, 2026, 6:18 pm, in reply to "I didn’t think so."

How is opening ONE STORE somewhere in Manhattan going to result in empty shelves or long lines at the Whole Foods a mile away? You are not even trying to think.

Most people are not going to change their shopping habits. This will just offer an low cost option for those that are struggling.

It would if you ever owned or managed a business.

Posted by Arwen on August 4, 2026, 6:58 pm, in reply to "Nothing you are saying makes any sense at all."

The stores will offer a low cost, subsidized option to all people, including people like yourself who gravitate towards lower priced options.

If you ever signed the front of an employee paycheck instead of the back, you would have a better understanding of supply and demand and how businesses operate.

did you miss the part about needing ID

Posted by trish on August 5, 2026, 6:14 am, in reply to "It would if you ever owned or managed a business."

people have to meet certain low income requirements.

Oh, stop lying, Trish. You know better.

Posted by Arwen on August 5, 2026, 7:36 am, in reply to "did you miss the part about needing ID"

https://apnews.com/article/identification-new-york-grocery-stores-mamdani-a81f73db2db1752f3b4c75921272cd9f

Lying? I got the wrong information and I apologize

Posted by trish on August 6, 2026, 8:51 am, in reply to "Oh, stop lying, Trish. You know better."

but Lying? You are really getting nasty

Lying, by definition, is telling a false statement on purpose.

Posted by arwen on August 6, 2026, 8:57 am, in reply to "Lying? I got the wrong information and I apologize"

Are you suggesting your repeated assertion here wasn’t on purpose?

It is not nasty to expose false statements.

it was what I truly thought ..so yes, it was in error

Posted by trish on August 6, 2026, 3:23 pm, in reply to "Lying, by definition, is telling a false statement on purpose."

and I apologized

is that not enough for you?

Sure.

Posted by Arwen on August 6, 2026, 8:05 pm, in reply to "it was what I truly thought ..so yes, it was in error"

But it was still lying.

You are quite wrong

Posted by trish on August 7, 2026, 9:22 am, in reply to "Sure."

Presenting wrong information unknowingly is not a lie; it is a mistake or misinformation. A lie requires the speaker to know the information is false and to have a deliberate intent to deceive.

It would appear you are the one lying about me. I bet if you made such an error you would never apologize for it or even acknowledge it.

Not this time.

Posted by Arwen on August 7, 2026, 11:20 am, in reply to "You are quite wrong"

I don’t get everything right and am quite comfortable admitting when I get it wrong. But you not only lied about the need (or in this case non-need) for ID’s you attempted to make it personal with your smarmy “did you miss the part about needing ID”.

Do your research before you purposely make false statements. Problem solved.

ok whatever you say

Posted by trish on August 8, 2026, 5:58 am, in reply to "Not this time."

You're never smarmy... of course not...

Arwen loves to push her drivel on other posters

Posted by Gustavo on August 5, 2026, 7:02 am, in reply to "did you miss the part about needing ID"

who are way smarter. She will never admit she is wrong the majority of times.

You are just jealous, Scalise.

Posted by Arwen on August 5, 2026, 7:40 am, in reply to "Arwen loves to push her drivel on other posters"

Your ability to discuss any ideas here with any degree of credibility is virtually nonexistent.

Your entire philosophy can be summed up in one sentence:

Orange Man Bad

No supporting facts. No logic. No reasoning.

Only childish name calling.

Again….one store.

Posted by KE on August 4, 2026, 7:29 pm, in reply to "It would if you ever owned or managed a business."

There are hundreds of grocery stores in Manhattan. One will it make any significant difference.

But more importantly, providing affordable food for people struggling to afford it is vastly more important than the livelihoods of a few business owners.

If only you had a modicum of business experience.

Posted by Arwen on August 4, 2026, 8:19 pm, in reply to "Again….one store."

You think that only poor people will take advantage of taxpayer subsidized discounts. You speak of business owners as if they don’t contribute to local economies, including poor people by providing valuable goods and services and jobs.

It is amazing how many people simply don’t understand basic economics.

What if it was a Walmart moving into a area of mostly small, independent shops.

Posted by KR on August 5, 2026, 6:23 am, in reply to "If only you had a modicum of business experience."

The same result can happen. Are you okay with that because it is capitalism?

I am a strong advocate for free markets.

Posted by Arwen on August 5, 2026, 6:56 am, in reply to "What if it was a Walmart moving into a area of mostly small, independent shops."

I don’t shop at Wal Mart, but the company creates value for many who desire lower prices and a wide variety of choices.

Businesses should compete for customers without government tipping the scales with lower prices subsidized by taxpayers.

So it is fine for a giant corporation to put smaller businesses out of business for profits...

Posted by KR on August 5, 2026, 10:31 am, in reply to "I am a strong advocate for free markets."

....but not the government in an attempt to help those who are struggling financially?

Sure, if they provide value to the consumer.

Posted by Arwen on August 5, 2026, 10:40 am, in reply to "So it is fine for a giant corporation to put smaller businesses out of business for profits..."

The government is unable without first confiscating capital from taxpayers. And then they do it by forcing pricing that bankrupts private business and reduces employment.

When Walmart creates value it does so for consumers, employees, and shareholders.

Might I suggest an entry level college economics class?

The stores REQUIRE ID to shop there

Posted by Trish on August 5, 2026, 6:15 am, in reply to "If only you had a modicum of business experience."

your whole premise is flawed.

Wait, a Democrat requires ID to shop…and not to vote?

Posted by Arwen on August 5, 2026, 7:01 am, in reply to "The stores REQUIRE ID to shop there"

Talk about flawed logic…..

Do you know what the SAVE act is really about. Let me summarize

Posted by trish on August 6, 2026, 8:53 am, in reply to "Wait, a Democrat requires ID to shop…and not to vote?"

If they want ID, create a government-issued FREE ID. Let’s break this down.

People say, "well I have all my documents." Lots of people don't. Why? Let's see: lost in a move, different due to divorce (s) flood, fire. An estimated 69 million American women do not have a birth certificate that matches their current legal name. Under this bill, they would need to present both a birth certificate and a marriage certificate to establish their identity.

Then there's the financial aspect. Not everyone can toss money to get new IDs. A U.S. passport costs a minimum of $165 in application fees and photos. A passport card, a cheaper alternative accepted under the bill, costs $65. A certified birth certificate costs $10 to $50 depending on the state. Replacing a lost naturalization certificate costs $1,385.

Here’s a BIG one. What about the elderly and homebound or hospitalized who have no one to help them with this and the inability to travel? Every American, including people who have been registered for decades, would need to appear in person at an election office with qualifying documents. Online voter registration, which 42 states currently rely on, would be upended or eliminated.

The requirement applies any time a voter updates their registration, including after moving, changing their name, or switching political parties. In the 30 largest counties by area in the Western United States, voters would need to drive an average of 260 miles to reach an election office. One analysis found rural voters facing a 4.5-hour round trip on average.The bill's in-person requirement would create significant barriers for service members stationed overseas and American citizens living abroad.

Citizenship is already a requirement to vote, and instances of noncitizen voting are rare. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services shows that just 0.04% of voter verification cases flag as potential noncitizens, and even within that small group, many had already provided proof of citizenship when they registered.

Yes. It is designed to stop cheating.

Posted by Arwen on August 6, 2026, 9:09 am, in reply to "Do you know what the SAVE act is really about. Let me summarize"

Why would anybody be opposed to eliminating cheating, unless they benefit from cheating?

There SHOULD be a little work involved initially to prove your eligibility to vote, just like there is work involved to get a driver’s license or a passport or any other official document.

This isn’t rocket science.

you obviously didn't read ANYTHING about the problems

Posted by Trish on August 6, 2026, 3:25 pm, in reply to "Yes. It is designed to stop cheating."

Surrounding this.

Tell me point by point how you resolve the problems I posted before enacting something like this

I read every word.

Posted by Arwen on August 6, 2026, 8:07 pm, in reply to "you obviously didn't read ANYTHING about the problems"

Either we stop cheating or we celebrate it.

I prefer the former.

so please by all means tell me how to resolve the problems

Posted by trish on August 7, 2026, 9:23 am, in reply to "I read every word."

listed point by point.

They are not frivolous or small.

Then get a teaching job

Posted by Gustavo on August 5, 2026, 4:05 am, in reply to "If only you had a modicum of business experience."

Why waste time here.

I don’t need a job, Mikey.

Posted by Arwen on August 5, 2026, 6:59 am, in reply to "Then get a teaching job"

But thanks for acknowledging my educational abilities.

I hope you are learning something here.

Your claims, not mine

Posted by Gustavo on August 5, 2026, 7:05 am, in reply to "I don’t need a job, Mikey."

The only thing I learned from you is how ignorant you are. You could learn from posters on this board but you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. 😁

Do try to keep up, Scalise.

Posted by Arwen on August 5, 2026, 7:33 am, in reply to "Your claims, not mine"

Ten years ago, if a taxpayer funded carpet store opened up next to yours offering 30% discounts, you would be screaming like a stuck pig.

Yet you join the resident socialists here on the board and don’t seemed bothered by the socialist takeover of your political party.

Why is that?

socialist Islamic democrats / free prostitutes

Posted by Spector on August 4, 2026, 11:09 am, in reply to "NY City’s Democrat mayor is going to open government run grocery stores."

Perhaps if we turn ourselves over to socialist Islamic democrats, we can get free prostitutes.

The dumbing down of America will be the fall of America.

Dumbing down has been happening for decades

Posted by Trish on August 5, 2026, 6:18 am, in reply to "socialist Islamic democrats / free prostitutes "

I was talking about it 25 years ago. It's taken a while to see how its made sheep out of certain groups who believe the admin is working in our interest.

Free prostitutes? That's kinda silly.

And ya just had to slip in "Islamic" like it's a scary word.

Just remember you will not be allowed to speak under

Posted by Sharia Law. on August 5, 2026, 7:13 pm, in reply to "Dumbing down has been happening for decades"

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2193522338257295

The Republicans Party over Country agenda is causing Socialism

Posted by Gustavo on August 4, 2026, 8:26 am, in reply to "NY City’s Democrat mayor is going to open government run grocery stores."

When Moderate Republicans and Moderate Democrats worked together to get things done, the Left wing Democrat Socialists and the Right wing Republican Fascists had no voice.

The Republicans with their partisanship and Party over Country agenda is giving a voice to Socialists.

Trump and his family are making $ billions off the office of the President, DOGE fired over 200,000 workers, healthcare for low income families was cut but there is plenty of money to waste on Trump going after his enemies and projects in Washington DC while hard working American families needs are being ignored.

So, do you think government run grocery stores are a good idea.

Posted by Arwen on August 4, 2026, 8:35 am, in reply to "The Republicans Party over Country agenda is causing Socialism"

As you know, I am an independent and think both parties put their partisanship over ideas that will promote freedom and prosperity.

Do you agree with the Democrat mayor of New York City that the government should run grocery stores and dictate pricing?

Posted by Gustavo on August 4, 2026, 10:00 am, in reply to "So, do you think government run grocery stores are a good idea."

Why not?

Posted by tbd*= on August 4, 2026, 10:27 am, in reply to "No"

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[ R&E Political Discussion 2026 ]