OPINION – The political landscape of Norwood, long characterized by its distinct blend of local community focus and traditional New England pragmatism, may be susceptible to socialism as a wave of Democrat Socialists electoral victories sweeps across the country.
Following the recent election of self-described socialist Zohran Mamdani in New York, and potential wins for Katie Wilson in Seattle and Omar Fateh in Minneapolis, some residents in Norwood are asking: could the socialism shift reach our quiet corner of Massachusetts?
Although these extremists are in other cities in other states, they’re all “local” elections. I’d argue we’re seeing a move towards anti-capitolist policies where everything is free and the top 1% pay for everything. Mamdani, Wilson and Fateh appear to call for radical changes to housing and police defunding which makes one wonder how long until those ideas creep into the Greater Boston area.The Boston Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has recently endorsed several local candidates and built a motivated presence in nearby cities like Somerville and Cambridge.
Norwood officials need to remain focused on town matters instead of things that the small town has no control over. One such example is Norwood’s Sustainability Action Plan that was unanimously passed by the Board of Selectmen in 2021, that attempted to “deal with and mitigate climate change” according to their plan. The idea the Town of Norwood has any effect on the greater climate is laughable.
Our elected leaders need to maintain a sustainable budget, ensure quality education, and manage public safety. Period.
Proponents of a more progressive agenda argue that the national conversation is directly relevant to Norwood’s residents. Issues like affordable housing, climate change, and economic inequality, they contend, are not confined to big cities. They argue the ‘socialist threat’ is just fear-mongering and socialist policies being discussed are about making the economy work for everyone, not just a wealthy few. They argue that discussions about rent stabilization or local climate action here in Norwood is a good thing for so-called ‘working families’. I’d argue priorities such as these are nothing but a waste of time and energy. Focus more on what you can do for those who live here and less on whether the country’s president is ‘a king’.
The debate underscores a growing tension between traditional local governance and the push for more ideologically driven politics. As national political figures gain traction, the question for Norwood is not if the conversation will change, but how deeply the socialist wave will impact the votes and values of our community. -RD