The Nation: Why Grassroots Democrats Don’t Have a Problem With Democratic Socialism

[eridani]

http://www.thenation.com/article/why-grassroots-democrats-dont-have-a-problem-with-democratic-socialism/

Do I think Bernie Sanders should talk about democratic socialism? Yes, I do,” says Iowan Mary Clark. “I want him to explain everything in detail—give people a really good explanation. People who like Bernie are probably going to like him a little more if he does that. And people who aren’t supporting Bernie now might just say, ‘It sounds like he’s got some ideas that would actually solve our problems.’”

Clark isn’t a pundit or a pollster; nor does she sell herself as an expert on economics or presidential politics. She’s a rural Iowan who worries a lot about whether her neighbors will have clean water, decent housing, and fair pay. She’s worked a few minimum-wage jobs herself, and she knows a lot of folks who are struggling to get by along the rural routes that pass through her corner of Iowa’s Polk County. She talks to them about politics, and she always talks up Sanders. People like what they hear, she says. “But then they hear these guys on television saying, ‘Bernie Sanders can’t get elected because he’s a democratic socialist.’ So Bernie has to talk about it. But he doesn’t have to apologize for anything. He should say, ‘You’re wrong—I can get elected as a democratic socialist, and here’s why.’”

As he prepared to deliver one of the most important speeches of his presidential campaign, the independent senator from Vermont got a lot of advice on how to explain the democratic-socialist ideal that he’s embraced for more than five decades—an ideology that Donald Trump equates with Soviet-style communism and Rand Paul promises will “exterminate” those who do not follow the party line.

[Live and Learn]

1. Why are we so hung up on labels anyway?

Just give me the issues and solutions.

[Enthusiast]

4. The political establishment wants us to be hung up. They cherish these labels.

They love them some labels.

On the other hand, they are not the least bit interested in solutions unless that solution includes enriching their benefactors.

Solutions for us, the regular citizen, are nowhere in the equation.

But then you knew that.

[tecelote]

2. Bernie's Democratic Socialism

Democratic Socialism isn't about the state owning everything. It's about regulating businesses, like pharmaceuticals, to balance profit against social welfare.

Democratic Socialism isn't about everyone getting an equal amount. It's about a guaranteed minimum standard. From there, we are free to rise to our own level of inadequacy (go as far as you can go).

What needs to be done now is to show where we have rampant socialism in the wrong direction.

Republicans love socialism as it stands today. They bitch about food stamps but really food stamps are a gift to Walmart stockholders. Every dollar paid in food stamps is a dollar Walmart does not need to pay it's employees. The poor do not benefit, they work to sustain themselves. Stockholders benefit.

Endless war means endless profits. Our tax dollars are making war mongers rich while we are just creating more threats that demand more war.

The task is to show that all Americans deserve the benefits of our tax dollars, not just the wealthy and corporations.

Our infrastructure is crumbling while we build bigger and better war machines for the largest military in the world by far. Wouldn't replacing bad bridges and becoming peacemakers be a better use of our dollars?

Students can't afford college and are burdened with debt before they earn a penny while we bail out Wall Street and allow these rich bastards to keep getting richer. Wouldn't free public college be a better use of our tax dollars?

The tables need to turn and America needs to support its citizens instead of giving corporate takers our money. Yes, it's our money!

Bernie is fighting for Americans against the America we have today that is rigged for the rich and for corporations to benefit.

He's right, we need major change. We need a revolution.

America for Americans.

Time to stop being afraid of a label and look at the substance of what Bernie is saying.

Ironically, many, many Republicans will benefit greatly from a Bernie presidency. Just like the rest of us.

[Stevepol]

3. Very good post!! K&R

[Enthusiast]

6. This is so good that it should be an OP. America for Americans! Great slogan!

[Enthusiast]

5. Kicked and recommended!

[Demeter]

7. All Bernie has to do is show the direct connection between his policies and FDR's

The nation is not stupid, but it can be confused by the masses of BS thrown about on both sides.