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markpkessinger

(8,942 posts)
19. 43 years in NYC here . . .
Sat Jun 6, 2026, 09:37 PM
Yesterday

. . . . and I first heard a version of "the wealthy will pack up and leave" back in 2008. I was visiting a friend of mine, when another friend of his stopped by. This man was a wealthy, gay Manhattan antiques dealer who was then in his early 70s (I was 57 at the time). The guy took a liking to me (to be honest, I think he was hitting on me), and we began chatting in depth about current events, politics, etc. He swore up and down that if Obama won the election, he and all of his wealthy7 friends and acquaintances had already made plans to live out some Ayn Rand fantasy of moving themselves and all of their assets offshore, and leave the rest to wallow in the hellscape of our own making! I called bullshit on that claim. I pointed out that they weren't living in NYC in the first place because they liked its tax rates, and that, like most of the rest of us who live here, they were here for a host of reasons, including enjoying being at the center of the business world, as well as the arts and creative worlds, and that they liked the visibility that they got from living here!

He became considerably less interested in our conversation after I said that!

And here we are, 18 years later, when I am 65 and he is now in his late 80s. Last I heard (which was a couple of months ago), he was still here!

Recommendations

7 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Correlation does not imply causation Metaphorical Yesterday #1
Mamdani would be blamed if the opposite occurred. yardwork Yesterday #6
And that would be bad science also Betty Boom 20 hrs ago #24
Screwworm and his crime family left struggle4progress Yesterday #2
For those who don't trust randos on social media WarGamer Yesterday #3
The data is terrific to see Quiet Em Yesterday #4
Thanks, Gamer! orangecrush Yesterday #8
War Gamer vs. Defense Gamer... littlemissmartypants 22 hrs ago #23
... orangecrush 15 hrs ago #25
40 years in NYC edhopper Yesterday #5
43 years in NYC here . . . markpkessinger Yesterday #19
Thank you Mayor for chasing out the real criminals orangecrush Yesterday #7
So.....where those Republicans that fled doing all those crimes? paleotn Yesterday #9
This is exactly what the right and moderate Democrats fear most. A politician who shows that progressive politics work. Fil1957 Yesterday #10
Just like they're trying to make Graham Platner fail now! Same playbook, different day. BComplex Yesterday #12
That is so true. FoxNewsSucks Yesterday #17
The old saying: "The Proof is in the Pudding". BComplex Yesterday #11
I like pudding! COL Mustard Yesterday #13
I'm going with the tapioca! Permanut Yesterday #15
Actually, the lemon pudding cups FoxNewsSucks Yesterday #18
Ha! Now if they would just flee the country.... tanyev Yesterday #14
right? Skittles Yesterday #21
Donnie, the psychotic clown, knows he's not welcome agingdem Yesterday #16
The orange Anus will take credit. progressoid Yesterday #20
So does that confirm the republicans left and crime went down? Bev54 Yesterday #22
I know it isn't true Old Crank 13 hrs ago #26
Sounds like the Republicans were causing the crime. Sanity Claws 13 hrs ago #27
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»The con said Republicans ...»Reply #19