A changed mind is a sign of rational leadership
Astoria: Every election cycle, voters say they want leaders who listen and follow the facts. Yet, the moment an elected official actually changes course, headlines scream “flip‑flop.” We’ve built a political culture that punishes the trait we claim to value: the ability to learn. That’s not just unfair, it’s dangerous.
Housing policy in NYC offers a clear case. For years, development was treated as a threat, and “developers” became a dirty word. Zoning rules, procedural delays and political resistance throttled new building. The result: too few homes and rising rents. Families have been priced out of their neighborhoods. For many middle‑class New Yorkers, the idea of owning a home has become a dream beyond reach. Now, facing a crisis they helped create, many officials are rethinking things — supporting rezoning, streamlining approvals and cutting red tape to get more housing built. We see similar shifts elsewhere.
In 2020, Zohran Mamdani aligned with “defund the police,” but after a mass shooting, he distanced himself, saying, “I am not defunding the police; I am not running to defund the police.” Mayor Adams proposed switching retirees to Medicare Advantage, then dropped the plan amid public backlash. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo also evolved on major issues. In 2014, he called Mayor Bill de Blasio’s $13 minimum wage push a “nonstarter” and opposed local increases, but by 2016 he’d convened a State Wage Board and signed a phased‑in $15 statewide minimum wage.
These aren’t opportunistic retreats. They reflect new facts, shifting needs and changing realities. Leaders who can absorb new evidence, admit past limits and update their approach are showing the very qualities we should value most in government. Richard Khuzami
Fear of the future
Sunnyside: They hate him because he’s a “socialist.” They hate him because he’s a “Marxist.” They hate him because he’s a “communist.” They hate him because he’s a Muslim. And they say they fear him because they believe that his policies will lead to the eventual destruction of New York City. That’s what they say, but I believe what they’re really afraid of is that he will be successful and prove that democratic socialism is the way of the future. That’s what they’re really afraid of. My biggest fear is that they will do everything in their power to make sure he does not succeed. And when I say they, that includes that ignorant bigot who currently occupies the White House. Robert Presti
Better for all
Lackawaxen, Pa.: To Voicer Chaya Lipschutz: Democratic socialists here are the equivalent of European social democrats, who have created countries rated as having the greatest economic freedom and the happiest citizens. Neither the DSA nor Mamdani is out to “destroy New York.” You’re imperfectly recalling a Depression mythology: The wealthy portrayed FDR’s election as the Bolsheviks at the gate when, in fact, the New Deal probably saved the plutocrats from the fate they deserved. You cite Handy Andy’s “great plans for NYC,” but Cuomo’s entire career has focused on housing and homelessness, and as HUD secretary and governor, he had the opportunity to make change happen. The results: Probably only one in six New Yorkers has seen a NYCHA project for low-income built in their lifetimes. No Mitchell-Lama for moderate-income has been completed in more than 40 years, but NYC and the state combine to spend $5 billion per year on homeless services. John A. MacKinnon
Led by a ‘lack of’
Whitestone: Voicer Ben Furleigh criticized Mamdani for his “lack of” qualifications. Yet, people elected President Trump, whose qualifications were being the first person to lose money while running a casino, cheating on three of his wives, screwing contractors out of their livelihood, filing for bankruptcy numerous times, etc. Ben, have you received your official Trump kneepads in the mail yet? Robert LaRosa Sr.
Election inundation
Woodside: In my humble opinion, it’s a minor form of torture to be bombarded with political ads, and the closer it comes to the end, the worse it gets. This year it seems worse than ever: Mamdani-Cuomo-Sliwa-Sherrill-Ciatarelli-Mamdani-Sliwa-Cuomo-Sherill-Ciatarelli — on and on into infinity for the 30-second point. I am not just hitting mute now, I’m turning off the TV because I don’t want to see and have already seen all of it to the saturation point. You’re wasting money insofar as little me goes. Sheila Richardson
Seeing you in
Manhattan: Driverless vehicles may be on their way, but New York City’s yellow cabs with drivers had a very nice amenity. Mainly at night, and mostly with women as passengers, the cab driver, after discharging the passenger, waited a minute to see that the passenger got safely inside the building. Alan Flacks
Costume time
Manhattan: Get your ghost costumes, get your witch hats, Halloween is coming! Eva Julietta
Plot point
Long Branch, N.J.: On Netflix, there’s a movie called “A House of Dynamite.” In this film, the secretary of defense jumps off of a roof and commits suicide. Now, I’m not suggesting anything. I’m just saying what happened in the movie. Lenzy Kelley
IQ confusion
Howard Beach: Trump is so confused that he doesn’t even know the difference between an IQ test and a dementia screening test. He called his latest cognitive test at Walter Reade Medical Center an IQ test, which it wasn’t. He further said that it was so difficult that “low-IQ” Reps. AOC and Jasmine Crockett wouldn’t be able to pass it. One thing is for sure: AOC and Crockett would know the difference between an IQ test and a cognitive screening test. Barbara Berg
A fool abroad
Glasgow, Scotland: Great to see your president staggering around in a daze when he is not doing his “Y.M.C.A.” hand dance or saluting absolutely no one during his trip to Asia. You folks in America must beam with patriotic pride during these displays of the best America has to offer to the world. Cheerio. Joseph Kay
Adding to his appeal
Dartmouth, Mass.: Each gift and groveling speech given by foreign leaders as Trump attends global summits or visits allied countries reinforces the adoration and unmitigated support from MAGA voters and political opportunists — proof that they’re justified in their unshakable allegiance to him and his agenda. One can almost hear the remarks that if Trump is so compromised, deluded and demented, how could so many respected leaders sing his praises and shower him with gifts and trade deals. This only solidifies their animosity to those criticizing Trump or battling his agenda. With a more scrutinized reading, it’s apparent that Trump is either being played to deflect his punitive tariffs or hoping for personal gain or favorable trade deals. These leaders are providing Trump with positive images that counter the destructive, vengeful actions occurring every day in this country, and they’re willfully or unintentionally complicit in the decimation of American values. Betty Ussach
Look locally
Bronx: Will the media please retire the third-term Trump hysteria? The Constitution makes a third presidential term impossible, full stop. The man has no desire for the job. He has already pulled off the greatest political grift in modern history. He entered office a paper billionaire and left — well, less paper (more crypto). He continues to enrich himself because he hasn’t been stopped. The “failed democratic experiment” was merely a side benefit; a bone tossed to the Stephen Millers and Steve Bannons to reward them for decades of loyal and unwavering service to the cause of white supremacy. The solution isn’t future panic, it’s the midterms. Unless Congress shifts away from MAGA with a decisive majority, the grift continues until 2029. Focus your outrage and your ballot on the state elections where gerrymandering and election laws are written. Stop looking at the sky and start looking at your local ballot. Donnell B. Russell
Feel for truth
Howard Beach: With all the disinformation and misinformation perpetrated by corrupt politicians and leaders, how is one to know the truth? Twenty-five centuries ago, a wise man once said, “Do not go upon what has been acquired by repeated hearing… but when you yourselves know… these things are unwholesome, these things are blameworthy… then enter and abide in them.” Truth is validated through personal experience. Ernest Kienzle
