General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: What is a Democratic Socialist? [View all]AOR
(692 posts)for many leftists("purists" as you would say) the proof is in the pudding Steven... The DSA long ago gave up the ghost of actual leftism. They have their own tactics on achieving whatever the hell "socialist" aims they have and most of those tactics revolve around slow reforms, electoral lesser of two evils commitment, and working within the Democratic Party. They aren't alone. It is what it is but where are the results in regards to slowing the destruction of capitalist social relations. There is no evidence of that and no results whatsoever in that regard as capitalism continues its death march. I know you don't agree and that's fine but what's real and what isn't matters for leftist analysis.
Bernie Sanders is not a socialist or a leftist for gods sake Steve. A very vanilla leftist at most. Leftists don't really have this view -- " I think there is obviously an enormously important role for the free market and for entrepreneurial activity." -- Bernie Sanders
Bernie is a reformer ala FDR and head and shoulders above the rest in terms of an electoral choice only (you probably don't agree with that either as you seem to support Clinton) Change will take much more than that.Why people are trying to make the campaign into something it isn't is very puzzling and confusing. Let the reformers speak their tactics and let the leftists apply pressure and speak their analysis. A mixture of the two will be better in the long run without confusing things. Trying to make Bernie's campaign the final word on leftist politics is not a good starting point or a good negotiating point against the destruction being caused by capitalist social arrangements. The capitalist power structure needs to be shaken to it's very core. Cheers