Wise Up New York: Don’t Be a Chumbolone Town Like Chicago
By John Kass
Sunday July 20, 2025
Study that photograph and see the Grand Marshal of Chicago’s Gay Pride parade. It was the summer of 2019, as the Democrat Party nationally was about to fully present itself as the weak border, soft on crime party of George Soros. But there at the Chicago’s pride parade of the past, Chicago’s Mayor Lori Lightfoot is smiling.
Her arms open wide to a world that loves her. Things change.
And, as Patton informs us, a slave whispered into the ear of the conqueror, “all glory is fleeting, all glory is fleeting.”
That next year brought the police killing of George Floyd. George Soros’ do-nothing soft-on-crime Democrat prosecutors were in place in Chicago and other big cities just as the Black Lives Matter riots broke out in all the major cities, destroying the downtown business districts. The left wing teachers unions joined the spasms aimed at President Donald Trump as the political left gathered hysterical momentum in the Summer of Love.
Chicago circled the drain, ditching Lightfoot the weakling who tried to curry favor with the hard left Soros prosecutor. She was overwhelmed by the BLM riots and then ultimately replaced by a paranoid incompetent, Mayor Panic Attacks Brandon Johnson.
And New York, the capital city of capitalism, found a new darling to celebrate its self-loathing, the socialist child of privilege who has never had a job, Zoran Mamdani who won the Democrat primary for mayor.
A July poll by market research company HarrisX shows Mamdani leading a four-man race. The survey of 585 registered New York City voters has Mamdani with 26% of the vote, followed by Cuomo (23%), Sliwa (22%) and Adams (13%). Fifteen percent of responded said they are undecided. Yet Cuomo and Sliwa are within the polls margin of error, meaning the results essentially show a three-way tie.
According to that poll:
- In a four-way race, Mamdani (26 percent) is tied with Cuomo (23 percent) and Sliwa (22 percent), all within the margin of error. Adams is at 13 percent and 15 percent of voters are undecided.
- In a three-way race without Adams, Cuomo (31 percent) is statistically tied with Mamdani (29 percent) and Sliwa (28 percent).
- In a three-way race without Cuomo, Mamdani leads by 10 points, winning 35 percent to Sliwa’s 25 percent and Adams’ 19 percent.
- In head-to-head matchups, Mamdani topples Adams 43 percent to 36 percent, but trails Cuomo 35 percent to 50 percent, a 15-point advantage for Cuomo.
What does it spell for Democrats? Fear and panic.
Adams has been weakened by corruption, although his supporters will make appeals to race to seek black votes. Cuomo is burdened by his sexual harassment past during COVID times, and by the slogan, slapping fannies and killin’ grannies. Sliwa has a narrow path to victory, but no management experience. Some of Mamdani’s Jewish critics have criticized his Muslim religion, even as Mamdani has embraced, then avoided calls to globalize the intifada.
Mamdani is the flavor of young voters of the socialist, communist left and Democratic leaders are hiding, lest they anger the left in New York, one of most Jewish of cities. But they fear the militant socialists, too.
Where will Democrat leaders such as Sen. Minority Leader Charles Schumer and Democrat House leader Hakim Jefferies fall? Is this their ramrod spine moment? Can they afford to abandon their own Democrat nominee? Or will they cave into fear?
“Ultimately they’ll all fall in line because they’re petrified of far left primaries,” said Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler of suburban New York. “Schumer is absolutely petrified of AOC in 2028. Democrats are talking about primarying Hakeem Jefferies and Kathy Hochul is on the ballot next year. The worst governor in America. She is consistently below 50 percent in the polls and petrified that the far left won’t be there for her in a general election. They’ll fall in line as they always do. Democrats tend t0 be lemmings, and they’ll walk right off the cliff with an avowed socialist who is talking about seizing the means of production, banning private property. He wants government run grocery stores’ and he’s against capitalism. A trust fund baby. It is mind boggling to watch.”
Mind boggling yes, but I’m enjoying the Democrat panic. So is Lawler.
So when is Schumer going to roll over for Mamdani?
Whenever I think of Schumer whimpering and whining–he is called Pagliacci for a reason– remember that it was Sen. Schumer who stood before a leftist mob calling for blood and threatened the Supreme Court for views he disagreed with.
It is always violence with the left.
“I want to tell you, Gorsuch, I want to tell you, Kavanaugh: You have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price,” Schumer said at a pro-abortion-rights rally outside the court. “You won’t know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.”
You don’t know what hit you?
Chief Justice John Roberts publicly rebuked Schumer. Democrats were silent.
“Justices know that criticism comes with the territory, but threatening statements of this sort from the highest levels of government are not only inappropriate, they are dangerous,” Roberts said in a written statement distributed to reporters.
And now after violence and more threats and violence, what next?
Democrats of New York city are now riding the tiger high on the withers. And they don’t know how to get off, anymore that they can tell the communists that they like the idea of private property and grocery stores that carry more than beets and garlic. They made their own bed, appeasing and appeasing and now it’s too late to tell the tiger to get to bed.
He’s up. He’s not going to lie down. And he’s hungry.
It’s like Mr. Dooley of Chicago used to say about politics.
It ain’t beanbag.
It’s up to you New York, New York.
(copyright John Kass 2025)
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About the author: John Kass spent decades as a political writer and news columnist in Chicago working at a major metropolitan newspaper. He is co-host of The Chicago Way podcast. And he just loves his “No Chumbolone” hat, because johnkassnews.com is a “No Chumbolone” Zone where you can always get a cup of common sense.
Merchandise Now Available: If you’re looking for a gift for that hard-to-buy for special someone who has everything, just click on the link to the johnkassnews.com store.
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Comments 48
I know and love many, many Chumbolones. They can not understand how Trump was again elected President. They shake their heads and smile wanly when asked about their votes for BLM Brandon, Governor Hiddenberg and their unwavering support for Toni Preckwinkle and then union-up and vote proudly Democrat. They are skilled trardes men, teachers, nurses and retired civil servants living off of at least two City, State, County and Federal pensions. They worship at the temple of NPR/PBS, but set their rumps in pew only on major Holidays, christenings, or South Side Parade day. They are fiercely loyal to the Party that gave them their narrative. I am sure it is the same in Queens and Staten Island. Monsters don’t just appear, They are nurtured.
Mr. Hickey, thank you for your most gracious note. You are correct. Monsters like Boss Toni don’t just appear. They are nurtured. In Chicago they were spoon fed oodles of love by the Trib, Sun Times, WTTW (wilmette talking to winnetka) and NPR, wbez. oodles of love
JK
Great point. Just a day or two ago the Trib ran a very long article about the Cook County Dems slating meeting, and honest to God, the word Preckwinkle didn’t even appear.
I was thinking the same thing, Pat. So many friends and family who will walk off the cliff (of communism) before they consider voting for anyone but a democrat. Blue cities and states are doomed.
This truly scares me. On George Floyd, isn’t his cause of death an overdose?
John, I always look forward to your columns and the insight that you share. But it’s early Sunday morning and I’m sitting peacefully having my Dark Roast Cuban rocket fuel and checking emails before church. I nearly puked when I saw the picture of the former mayor in front of something people refer to as a “pride” parade. And just when we thought that things couldn’t get any worse……….
I’ll try not to allow it back in my mind. But like they say, ” you can’t unsee it”
Good column as always.
Lori was a frequent patron of one of the more successful gay bars in Boystown. No surprise here.
ken: you know things always get worse. don’t spit the coffee
JK
Those who make a living by living off government will of course continue to vote for the government that supports them. They know which side of their bread is buttered and vote for promises of give me more, give me more. They don’t understand economics and logical reasoning is beyond them. Anyone who expects these voters to wake up and see the light is whistling past the cemetery. New York City is doomed – those who are forced to support the government through their taxes flee to the suburbs every night. Large urban areas run by the Democrats are doomed – those who are running the system know it can not be sustained but do not have the courage to challenge and change the system – because their gravy train will be derailed as well. “Abandon all hope ye who enter here.”
Well said, John.
“Those who rob peter to pay Paul can count on the full support of Paul.”
Don’t recall who said that, but it’s a gem.
Anyone who reads Kass should know better than to underestimate the foolishness and plain stupidity of the urban democratic voting bloc. Look at Chicago- the democrats hated Lightfoot yet elected a guy they knew was much worse. Mamdani will be elected mayor of NY, bet on it.
When you thought it couldn’t get any worse than Lori, Brandon said “hold my beer”.
To kind of quote from the movie “Rudy,” “Who’s the wild man now?” ….. “Who’s the wild man now Chuckles Schumer “You have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price,”….”schadenfreude,” a delicious New York political deli delicacy being served up for my delight!
you don’t even need salt it is so dang tasty
Another good one sir.
First, I didn’t care if Lightfoot was a Martian, I thought initially she’d be a good mayor (shame on me).
Second, (a quote I’ve heard but not sure of the source to cite), “a government big enough to give you everything you need is powerful enough to take everything you have”.
Democrats continue enslaving people but are using a different kind of chains.
Oh Lord, if you cannot turn their hearts, please then turn their ankles. So we will know them by their limping.
Mark, the quote you posted “a government big enough to give you everything you need is powerful enough to take everything you have” was uttered by William Miller, a congressman from New York who was Barry Goldwater’s running mate in 1964. I was in college at NIU at the time, not old enough to vote, but worked like the devil to elect him. He lost, but ushered in the great Ronald Reagan who delivered the speech of a lifetime in support of Goldwater.
Great column. Kass makes the tiger image appropriate to the nightmare of New York’s new adventure with communism. The ancient Asian “riding the tiger” idiom is a sophisticated metaphor for Mamdani’s NYC popularity.
Here’s a metaphor for communism that’s less sophisticated: Freddy Krueger. He was the evil movie villain who, supposedly killed, was not quite dead. (Never saw a Krueger movie, so I just looked it up.) I’m not the only one who, at the 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union, figured communism was deader than Freddy. Wishful thinking!
Communism did not die, alas. That 1991 episode was just a plot twist. The empty promises and real nightmares of communism live on in the horror-fascinated hearts of New York Democrats. Good luck, comrades.
What could go wrong with a trust fund baby running NYC? I mean, we’ve got one running the state of Illinois and look at what a paradise it is!
Why, of course Chucky Schumer will roll for Mamdani. He’s a Judas Goat.
They reap what they sow. Poor stupid DNC…that’s what you get for creating Frankensteins.
Unfortunately, the cities of NYC and Chicago (LAX etc…) due to the super large populations and demographics that support communism affect all of us-even those who are in Red States. NYC already voted itself into communism. The Karen Bass and Brandon Johnson’s are waiting to see the final confirmation when the voting is done. Once Mamdani is elected, just watch them go full on Marx (you ain’t seen nothing yet); beating Newsom and Tampon Tim to the punch. I agree: Democrats are lemmings, even if it kills them and the republic.
Great column. I’m putting Mandani in my column of things that make me go hmm. I can’t help but think if elected he’ll be worse than Pritzker, Lightfoot, Johnson, and Periwinkle combined.
Government run grocery stores? Seriously? What an idiot!
Do people not know who they are voting for? Or do they just don’t care?
Linda, they will understand when they can’t find a loaf of bread, a dozen eggs or a gallon of milk.
The American public is acting as if Mamdani is an aberration. He is in fact what today’s Democrat party has morphed into. The New York Times is celebrates him as does the rest of the mainsream media. They’re all hoping that as in the old Sinatra song, “If he can make it there he’ll make it anywhere.”
Abraham Lincoln summarized it well:
“Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”
“Orwellian” is the term that is mostly used to describe events of the last four years. Yet there was another great visionary who predicted events of a dystopian society. His name is Mike Judge, the director of the visionary film “Idiocracy”. A film that demonstrates what happens when the stupid take over. We left the state of Illinois when I realized we were outnumbered by the stupid. Despite a few hardy souls advising us to stay and fight the good fight, I knew the battle had already been lost. The valiant three hundred Spartans who fought the mighty Persian armies were eventually wiped out in the face of overwhelming numbers. This is your fate if you choose to stay in Illinois, or worse yet, the belly of the beast, Chicago. Your once untouchable neighborhood is now filled with roaming gangs of armed thugs who wait in the bushes to catch you going to work, unaware, at five in the morning to rob you. Horrible schools that are run by its horrible union. A police department that has been rendered ineffective thanks to Chicago’s left leaning politicians. Barack Obamas Justice Department was a great ally in dismantling any semblance of law and order in Chicago. I escaped to a Free State much like John did. A state that respects common sense as well as law and order. A state that doesn’t tax and fine its taxpayers in order to pick their pocket like the B- girl you met at the bar at three in the morning. During the last Presidential election Texas picked up four hundred thousand new registered voters, many coming from California. These new residents didn’t move the needle at all. The state remained solidly Red. The new voters knew why they left California and made sure it wasn’t going to happen here. The Official State Motto of Illinois should be “Abandon all hope, ye who enter..”. Idiocracy indeed.
We got out in 2019 (for the Lone Star State). Travel back to visit Wrigley Field & the Billy Goat on lower Wacker occasionally, but the joy of banging around the city has been tarnished by the decline. We encourage friends and family to get out while they can (and before JBP aka Toilets implements an exit tax).
Human networks are hard to move from city to city. Does electing a commie finally cause the capitalistic nerve center of the entire world to abandon NYC en masse? If so, where do they choose to go?
Great column, John. I would hate to see this happen in New York City (not that I have any great love for it). But, it would be tragic for those who cannot afford to flee. That said, I think well-off New
Yorkers would move to Florida and therefore would be good for
our home values.
Blue cities and states with their sheep-people who continue to vote for the party not the individual remind me of an addict. Most addicts have to hit bottom before they can recover and heal.
I hope the good citizens of NY wise up before they hit bottom.
Mandami gets elected and the crazies have the trifecta NYC CHI and LA. Democrats claim to be for the people yet scams and scandals abound. I moved to a red state (sadly a blue city) 8 yrs ago. I drove to my old ‘hood yesterday after taking a stroll on The Mag Mile. What mag mile? closed retail and a few short term leases for Harry Potter and some current character popular with the school and preteen set best I could figure. Tiffany was still there but depending on when its lease expires who knows. The economic engine that once was State St “that Great Street ?”
And the “ Mag Mile”is no more. The victim bad mayors, of hamstrung policing and roving gangs.
Even the far Sw 19th Ward showing its age and being rough around the edges. Enclaves of cops and firemen in Queen of Martyrs and St John Fisher keep
The faith (generally voting center to right) and keep the neighborhood like I remember it sixty years ago. A (pretty) safe place to grow up. Glad I’m gone. Keep up the great commentary John! We need that cup of common sense daily.
John Kass your extended knowledge of politics under the D flag is 100…no, 200% deadly correct. Using the panorama of what Chiraq and Newt Yerk are now compared, the aroma of death of a city is in the nostrils of many and this is not going to stop at NY & CHI…. Yes, the leaders carrying the D flag are not born, as you have stated, they are nurtured…..on the grifting of those office holders.
I still can’t get the picture of Sanders and Mamdani with all smiles grasping each other out of my head….hmmm. Then, of course, the laughter comes to me in listening to Schumer and Jeffries trying to evade the idea of praising and “selecting” Mamdani as the Mayor of NY as a Demorat.
When does Wall Street move to Miami?
God bless you and yours John Kass. Be well and stay well.
Tom
The “whirlwind” that is finally taking the Yankee down. Ordinarily this could be considered THE opportunity for Chicago to become the United States’ FIRST city.
Here, where South meets North, East meets West. Brackish, indeed.
I witnessed my first Pride parade this year, at Monseignor Murphys.
The bar flew the Stars and Stripes.
Then I went to Sicilian fest. Thanks always to JK News
The great source of trouble is the female voters and the TV. The only cure is to overthrow the 100 yr old decision empowering female voting, at least in the State and Federal Elections and bring an amendment to the constitutional free speech of the press thus creating a bipartisan watch-dog committee to enforce good and neutral journalistic standards in the country. And everyone would agree the TV networks are now a formidable source of anti-Republican President campaign into the family rooms of Americans where the women voters make up their minds.
I have read this guys comments before and I think he has some domineering mommy issues…..just saying…..”the fault is not in the stars, but ourselves.”
Agreed. He seems to be one of the few who would actually benefit from classic Freudian psychoanalysis.
So M won’t use the “global intifada” lingo anymore. WATCH him speak, and listen. He is all in on the gi. That this monster could be standing at Ground Zero on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 as NYC mayor is outrageous. What is wrong with NYC?
I am actually curious to see how the NY Times spins this on Sept 11, 2026.
By ignoring it, Bruce!
Thomas: Well you might be right of course. But I’m betting it’s the one thing they don’t do.
Can anyone name the last great, HONEST, Chicago mayor.
Was there ever an honest Chicago mayor? I doubt it – maybe a lesser degree of corruption, but still corrupt.
Exactly, John
Next question. Does any complaining about Chicago corruption change things. Do the masses read John’s or anyone else’s columns and decide to change things. Will Vallas be the Greek God of virtue and honesty? Ha. Remember Quinn. Had a supposed track record of good guy honesty. Right! Mendosa? Or anyone else.
Gimme a break.
Chicagoans vote them in. They put the crooks in. High taxes, crimes etc. Vote them back in, year, after year. Paddy Bauller (sp?) was right: “Chicago ain’t ready for reform.”
Mayor Jane?
Small questions:
What’s the difference between a government-run grocery store that takes SNAP payments and a private grocery store taking the same?
What’s the difference between a government-run grocery store and the kind you find in a military base?
If you’re going to do SNAP as a lifestyle choice, aren’t you already headed in the direction of government-run everything else?
(Not a fan of Mamdani and his ilk, just not getting the faux-rage)
From what I can observe I estimate eighty percent of Chicagoans are under the control of a mass formation psychosis. I’m no psychologist, but people in their right minds don’t bring their children to homosexual shame parades or elect politicians who lead such events down Michigan Avenue. Look up Mattias Desmet who came up with the term, “mass formation psychosis”. He has a pretty good theory of how populations go nuts. But this kind of lunacy has apparently been popping up for centuries. Even Paul the Apostle mentioned the cause of the problem in Ephesians 2:2, namely, “…the prince of the power of the air ,the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.” There’s a spirit in Chicago, a very sick spirit.
Voter turnout in NYC is usually under 25%. That’s a little over 1 million of almost 5 million voters. When only zealots and dead people show up to vote anyone can win and Mamdani’s supporters, while few in number, will show up. Lindsey & Beam bankrupted the city, Koch barely held it together with help from the state and concerned citizens with real financial and administrative ability. Dinkins wreaked it and set the stage for Giuliani. He turned things around but was likely to lose in his second bid until 911 raised his reputation again. He and Bloomberg made it the safest and best run big city in the US. DeBlasio was a nightmare and ruined all their good work but voter indifference gave him a second term. Adams has been a flop but look at the alternatives: Cuomo is a lying pervert with dead retirees on his watch, Mamdani is a nepo-baby communist who’s never run anything or held a job, Curtis Sliwa has little more real experience or ability. Unless a big name Wallstreet or real estate type jumps in [unlikely] it’s likely to be Mamdani, unless, of course, some new October surprise comes out.
Nice concise summary of NYC’s recent mayoral history.