To the Editor:

“United We Stand” is a quote so engrained in the American fabric it is difficult to provide proper citation. Americans have known that unity is required for us to overcome obstacles and achieve a greater prosperity ever since Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry were motivating colonists to be courageous and do something the world had never seen. 

The newly inaugurated mayor of New York invoked this same sentiment in his inauguration speech, asking his constituents to “replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.” 

This bold statement, however, carries with it an alarm we must not miss. Rather than using the term “unity” he chose “collectivism,” intentionally inserting all the undertones of the socialism that the new mayor openly accepts.  

The statement also denigrates individualism, which is the sole reason America began and why it still exists today. It is the lifeblood of America. Our country has been a beacon to the world because of our individualism and unique contributions. A rejection of this would be a rejection of our identity. 

We should want nothing to do with the socialist ideology that now permeates New York City, and I write this as a plea to keep it as far away from our hometown as possible. We must be united, yes, but under a mutual and voluntary cord bound by a common set of principles. The collectivism intended for New York City is one of command and harsh force, leaving no room for freedom, original thought, or happiness. 

The collectivist approach provides no reason or motivation to give more or be a positive contributor. It demands conformity with no reward and incentivizes mob mentality. It stifles creativity, art, ingenuity, and inventive design. 

Even in a place like Albany County, where many individuals spend their working lives in government trying to solve collective action dilemmas, this outlook is extremely unproductive. When everyone owns something, no one owns it. Additionally, when power is consolidated in the name of collectivism it provides ripe ground for misconduct and corruption.

Socialism brings with it no warmth whatsoever. It is a cold, demanding system that suffocates dreams and aspirations. Further, no government possesses the ability to create warmth for you. It is the personal responsibility of individuals to pursue that happiness for themselves. 

Christopher Longo

Guilderland