A member of my family suggested that it might be timely to write an article about these two polar opposites whose names have recently been in the news.

“Diversity” has become a bad name for some, but the juxtaposition of these two men between what is called “democratic socialism” and “capitalism” would seem to meet that definition.

To be honest, by way of full disclosure, in discussing a comparison of Mamdani and Musk–I must acknowledge that I own no Tesla Stock, but I do have two grandchildren living in New York who supported the newly elected Mayor of New York.

The comparison of the two men is quite stark–an anti-government, Republican activist remembered for his “chain saw” cutting and gutting of federal agencies vs. a liberal Democrat and fervent believer that government can be an effective force for good, specifically as it relates to the cost of living in New York.

Another difference between the two is personal compensation. The Mayor of the City of New York receives an annual salary of $258,000, with an option of living in a government-owned house at Gracie Mansion. The CEO of Tesla lives in a personally owned, gated compound in Austin, Texas, receives millions in compensation and will be compensated with an additional $1 Trillion Dollar bonus if he can meet some aggressive growth targets for his company.

On the basis of raw experience, I think you have to give Elon Musk the edge. He has proven himself to be an effective CEO in Corporate America. He runs multiple companies and Tesla Corporation is now valued at more than Ford, GM and Chrysler combined.

The most telling criticism of Mamdani has been about his youth and lack of experience. As he, I was a member of the New York State Assembly and can attest that it is not typically a proven training ground for corporate executives or, for that matter, in leading a city of 8 million people.

But, on the matter of understanding people and politics, despite being young, you have to give the edge to Mamdani. He understood the electorate’s desire for affordable living, whereas Musk failed to realize that for many Americans, the institutions that he was destroying in Washington were important to them.

It was obvious that the citizens of New York did not buy the argument of President Trump that Mamdani was a “communist.” Most New Yorkers who have been around as long as Trump has, know that Democrats in the City of New York have always been at odds: reformers vs. regulars, liberals vs. moderates. The so-called Democratic Socialists are the new reform/liberal wing of the Democratic Party.

As to who will succeed more–Mamdani or Musk–only time will tell. But, I think the challenge will be greatest for Mamdani. Many of his promises as to free busing or lower rents…are issues that will require the acquiescence of others, either in Albany or perhaps even from Washington.

Yet, it is clear that Mamdani has won the political contest with Musk. He got 2 million people to vote for him. Though spending millions, Musk could not muster enough support to beat a Democratic state judge in Wisconsin, and he eventually became so politically toxic for the Republicans that he was quietly eased out of Washington.

I would think that, going forward, the odds makers in Las Vegas will give the political/governmental edge to Mamdani. The capitalist/business edge will stay with Musk. Diversity in America is alive and well !

Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.