The Brotherhood of Man?

Fr. Michael P. Orsi

by Fr. Michael P. Orsi

An article in the leftist magazine, Jacobin, proposes that Socialism is the means to achieve the “brotherhood of man.” The author, an organizer for the Democratic Socialists of America, insists that “only through the social struggle of the oppressed and victory of democratic socialism can we realize the promise of God in each and every one of us.”

This isn’t the first time Socialism has been represented as the true expression of what religious folk like to call “Christian charity.” As it happens, we’re currently conducting a test of that proposition in New York City, instigated by the newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani.

Born in Uganda, Mamdani hails from an affluent Indian Muslim family involved in academics and filmmaking. After serving in the State Assembly, he ran for New York City mayor as both a Democrat and a Democratic Socialist.

Mamdani has moved swiftly to apply his leftist principles to city government. He’s proposed a rent freeze that’s been called a “war on landlords.” He wants to eliminate fares on buses and subways for low-income riders, raising questions about how the transit system is to be maintained.

He’s pushing to raise property taxes, with special increases for high-income residents. Consequently, an exodus of wealthy New Yorkers is underway, gutting the city’s tax base.

Another initiative is “free” childcare. The first component of that program is a daycare center for municipal workers that’s expected to cost $60,000 per child served.

Mamdani’s most far-reaching effort is his “racial equity” plan. The proposal promises help for New Yorkers who “cannot afford to live in our city without support.” It would “expand access to capital for underserved businesses, connect New Yorkers in high-unemployment communities to quality jobs, and help young people build generational wealth.”

It also applies “a racial equity framework to all new housing proposals.” That suggests race-based quotas, drawing the attention of the Justice Department which will be reviewing it for possible racial discrimination.

New York City can seem a world away from Naples (though many locals come from there). But I see this as the start of something that could become extremely dangerous — something we need to keep an eye on, even at a distance.

We now have the beginnings of a Socialist enclave in America. Like all leftists, Mamdani couches his proposals in terms of justice, fairness, and help for the marginalized, ideas that have distinctly religious overtones.

But he’s an avowed Socialist. He was candid about his ideology during the campaign. And he was elected on the basis of it, drawing strong support from young voters for whom Socialist activism has taken the place of traditional religious faith.

New York is now another test case of charity de-Christianized. Like all such experiments it’s doomed to failure. The damage maybe immense, in terms of economic collapse, demands for relief from the federal government, and expanded control over the lives of individuals and families.

This is not the “brotherhood of man.”

Pray for New York City and for our nation.

Rev. Michael P. Orsi is senior advisor to Action for Life Florida and host of “A Conversation with Father Orsi,” a weekly television series that delves into current events with a focus on sanctity of life issues. His writings appear in numerous publications and online journals. His TV show episodes can be viewed online at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyFbaLqUwPi08aHtlIR9R0g