For years, I have shared with people in politics, media, and finance that the most impressive investment CEO I have ever known is fictional. This character rose from humble beginnings, identified with the working class over elites, fashioned a persona to be underestimated by snobbish rivals, and valued morality above money. That fictional CEO is Lawrence Garfield, the main character masterfully portrayed by Danny DeVito in the 1991 film “Other People’s Money.”
In the film, Garfield’s character delivers an eerily accurate warning about the rise of far-left politics. Addressing a boardroom full of lawyers he employs, the fictional billionaire says: “Congratulations. You’re destroying the capitalist system. While everybody else in the world is embracing it, my boys and girls are messing it up! You know what happens when capitalism gets messed up? The communists come back. They come out of the bushes. Don’t fool yourself. They’re waiting in there…”
Decades later, this warning rings true. Today, the ideology Garfield cautioned against has become a reality. Prominent politicians like New York City Democrat Mayor Zohran Mamdani, New York Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Democratic Socialist Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson have embraced policies that some fear could undermine capitalism.
American society, once vigilant about threats to capitalism, now sees a resurgence of these ideas. A growing awareness exists among Americans spanning political, socioeconomic, and age groups about the dangers posed by socialist and communist mandates. These mandates are seen as coming from far-left elites living in entitled bubbles.
Older Americans recall the authoritarian regimes of East Germany, the Soviet Union, and the current situation in Cuba. They remember how these governments deprived citizens of the freedom to think and act independently. Now, they are educating younger generations about these dangers.
Many Americans who experienced life under communism and socialism now live here, having fled places like the Soviet Union, China, Venezuela, and North Korea. They share their experiences with those unaware of socialism and communism’s harsh truths. They highlight figures like Mamdani, Ocasio-Cortez, and Wilson as current examples of these ideologies.
The importance of private property and homeownership has also become central to the conversation. Critics have pointed out that some views label these as “racist” systems, but many argue they are fundamental to the American Dream.
As the rhetoric intensifies, especially in major cities like New York, Seattle, and Los Angeles, the fear of socialism’s spread grows. Yet, the movement has not captured the majority. The optimism remains that more Americans will reject socialism and communism.
Over thirty years ago, Lawrence Garfield, albeit fictional, foresaw the rising threat of communism. Today, increasing numbers of Americans recognize similar dangers in contemporary politics and aim to counter them with awareness and education.
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