New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani used a Monday event touting his government-run grocery stores to take aim at conservative icon President Ronald Reagans famous warning about federal overreach.
In 1986, Reagan, arguing against federal manipulation of the farming industry, delivered his now-legendary line about bureaucratic intrusion, declaring the nine most terrifying words in the English language are, Im from the government, and Im here to help, according to WND. That admonition has long served as a touchstone for conservatives who view expansive government as a threat to economic freedom and individual responsibility.
Referring to Reagans quote, Mamdani said, Its a good quote, but I disagree. He then offered his own supposedly more frightening formulation, stating, I think nine more terrifying words are actually, I worked all day and cant feed my family.'
Mamdani was celebrating the announcement of his second city-run grocery store, a 20,000-square-foot outlet in the Bronx slated to open next year. The first such store, announced for East Harlem, is not expected to open until after the Bronx location is completed, underscoring how slowly government projects often move compared with private enterprise.
While government-subsidized commerce has a long record of failing to deliver on its promises, Mamdani remains convinced his model will help address food insecurity in the Big Apple. Yet as abuse of the SNAP program becomes more prevalent and taxpayers shoulder ever-growing burdens, many conservatives see his initiative as another step toward a government-controlled marketplace that undermines the very work ethic he claims to champion.
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