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DrFunkenstein

(8,937 posts)
Thu Jul 2, 2026, 10:20 PM 1 hr ago

Mamdani mocked by GOP for telling New Yorkers to set thermostats to 78

Source: The Hill

Republicans are criticizing New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) after he suggested residents set their thermostats to 78 degrees to help conserve energy in the city as it braces for triple-digit temperatures this weekend.

“New York: it’s hot out there, and the power grid is working overtime to keep us cool. Set your AC to 78 degrees, turn off lights/electronics you’re not using, and unplug what you can,” Mamdani wrote on the social platform X late afternoon Wednesday.

Conservative lawmakers and pundits linked the recommendation from the city’s first democratic socialist mayor to victories over the last two weeks by other democratic socialist candidates, arguing it is another example of Democrats embracing “socialism” or “communism.”

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said Mamdani’s remarks are “Proof that communism is (unfortunately) alive and well.” Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) said, “This is Communism at work,” while Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said, “The Socialist Democrats are coming for your AC.”

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/5952239-nyc-mayor-thermostat-criticism/



The article goes on to point out that Trump's Dept of Energy made the same recommendation, as did the of Florida Public Service Commission appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and several other GOP-led agencies.

This is pretty desperate stuff. It might have worked in the 1970's, but non-MAGA people understand that climate change is at the root of this insane weather - not those who are trying to keep the grid from shutting down like it did in Ted Cruz's Texas.

Naturally, Cruz opens his poorly-bearded mouth to attack Mamdani despite his Cancun-based history with grids, and - naturally - his own state has made the same request on numerous occasions.

Funny, I don't see them saying anything when Trump has oil prices jacking up the cost of air conditioning, but says it "is a very small price to pay for U.S.A., and World, Safety and Peace.”

Not much from the GOP when Trump said that the pain of tariffs would be worth it despite unaffordable groceries (and pretty much everything).

Old school "moderates" will hem and haw about these GOP taunts (despite the OBVIOUS hypocrisy), but the new energy in the Party knows that the way to deal with this nonsense is to take the fight to them.
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ChicagoTeamster

(1,513 posts)
2. So would they rather New York be like Texas and have citizens die as the electrical grid shuts down every summer
Thu Jul 2, 2026, 10:38 PM
1 hr ago

newdeal2

(5,672 posts)
3. Trump doesn't give a damn about affordability
Thu Jul 2, 2026, 10:47 PM
1 hr ago

He took away people's health insurance and benefits to pay for tax cuts, he jacked up inflation and oil prices for a stupid war, he kept talking about how kids would be fine with fewer Christmas gifts thanks to his tariffs. Complete silence from the GOP.

A Democrat recommends common sense solutions to a problem they didn't cause = communism.

not a texan

(105 posts)
4. How long has he been in office?
Thu Jul 2, 2026, 10:53 PM
56 min ago

Does he even have any authority over the grid for NYC, or should they be looking to lay the blame somewhere else. I remember after the 911 attack that the repubs were saying Shrub hadn't been in power long enough to lay the blame at his feet and that was way more time than Mamdani has had. Maybe they could shut off the power to any building with the name Trump on them instead.

Lettuce Be

(2,357 posts)
6. We set AC to 78 when temps are 90 or better. Lower and it just runs all day
Thu Jul 2, 2026, 11:34 PM
15 min ago

Very good advice. Naturally the GOP would find any reasonable advice to be abhorrent.

Blues Heron

(9,152 posts)
8. businesses should be required to turn off lights and lit signs when closed.
Thu Jul 2, 2026, 11:46 PM
2 min ago

walk around and see the huge amount of lighting in closed stores offices etc. Huge 24 hour lit logos, all while the grid is near its limits. Such waste, and then a common sense suggestion to maybe use a little less gets these assholes all fired up like theyre going to score big points.

Theres an old vacant rite aid near here with hundreds of lights that are on 24/7 and have been for years- so sick. Its some kind of mental disease. Youd think the power bill would wake them up but no, they probably get a tax break for it!

Meanwhile its 100 degrees and the lights are flickering.

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