Capitulating to the antisocial persons by just giving up just sends a message to others that this behavior is acceptable. It moves the Overton window. Someone who used to think turnstile hopping was the kind of thing only crooks and low-lifes do sees people doing it more and more, witnesses and hears about how there are no consequences, and can't help but reframe it as more like driving 70 in a 65mph zone -- a harmless thing that "everybody does" and is totally fine. The city has enough money, and after all, Mamdani said he'll make those rich guys pay more! That'll cover my share! Meanwhile transit deteriorates severely.
I much prefer targeting more pressing antisocial behaviors while not excessively wasting public funds, something the Mamdani administration has been doing quite efficiently e.g. with the pied-à-terre tax. You seem angry about that, for some reason.
Nah, I'm not really angry because I don't live in New York so it's not my problem. But no, I don't respect a politician who is demonstrably economically illiterate.
