Sherman R. Frederick/Properly Subversive
As socialism is about to get its biggest American win in history with the election of Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s mayor, it’s worth pointing out that at the same time, in another town, on the other coast, it’s getting its ass kicked.
Take a look at the funky Marin County town of Fairfax, California. It’s one of my favorite places in the world.
My wife’s uncle lived there for the last half of his life. And, I owned the town’s community newspaper for about a decade.
It has a rich history in music — Google The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane— you’ll find numerous Fairfax references.
As a writer with a conservative outlook, I don’t think I could muster up enough Republicans in Fairfax to hold a decent poker game. Nevertheless, I always felt welcome in Fairfax because people there aren’t into exclusion. They are patient, laid back, good-humored, and willing to give almost anyone room to do their own thing.
But something happened to Fairfax over the last few years. A new political force moved into town called the Democratic Socialists of America, and it began to instill an authoritarian mindset among some leaders.
The DSA influencers sounded good in theory, but in practice, it led elected folk there to curtail public discussion on pet projects such as rent control and a high-rise building for “affordable” housing in a town that has no high-rise buildings.
Leaders yelled at community members who demanded to speak at town meetings. Electeds began limiting public input, banning applause at town meetings, and generally operating more secretively. Twenty-four months ago, citizens revolted and initiated a successful recall of the then DSA-influenced mayor. Another recall of two council members is set for Nov. 4.
Fairfax discovered what New York will discover shortly: The DSA is run by activists enamored with the authoritarian left.
Until DSA came to bucolic, mellow Fairfax, I would have thought it impossible to piss off a large part of Fairfax. But DSA found a way.
Good luck, New York. You’re going to need it if what happened in Fairfax is any guide.
Laugh a little, avoid soreheads, and always question authority.
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