Alanis Morissette sings, "It's a free ride when you've already paid," in her song "Ironic". In a way, her lyrics connect all too well with the irony of wage increases and rent control policies that the author of the article points out. Authority figures running for office, trying to gain support, offer up what seems to be amazing solutions to the problem of poverty. However, are these solutions doing more help or harm?
Mamdani's proposed solution to help the poor people of New York is to simply raise the minimum wage, giving more money to the workers, and place price ceilings on rent so that tenants do not experience fluctuating prices or are forced to move because of higher rent. Looking closer though, from an economic standpoint, this "solution" only harms more people. The irony is just that. What he intends for good, ultimately will lead to slow destruction, and, as we learned, intentions mean nothing in the face of real outcomes. A higher minimum wage would only force businesses to cut back on hours or even fire employees to maintain any sort of profit. The price ceilings prevent profits and remove any motivation for landlords to keep their facilities cared for. Yes, the intention seems great, but can nobody see the effects that would naturally take place?
"It's a free ride when you've already paid" (Morissette); the introduction of rent control and an even higher minimum wage is exactly like this line from Morissette's song "Ironic". The people of New York receive seemingly "free money", be that a higher pay check or lower rent, but really at the cost of less employment and deteriorating housing.