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DFW

(54,047 posts)
70. That's just one definition. To me and my family, it means something else entirely
Fri Aug 21, 2015, 10:30 PM
Aug 2015

"The Party of Democratic Socialism (German: Partei des Demokratischen Sozialismus, PDS) was a democratic socialist political party in Germany active between 1989 and 2007. It was the legal successor to the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED), which ruled the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) as a one-party state until 1990. From 1990 through to 2005, the PDS had been seen as the left-wing "party of the East". While it achieved minimal support in western Germany, it regularly won 15% to 25% of the vote in the eastern new states of Germany, entering coalition governments (with the Social Democratic Party of Germany, SPD) in the federal states of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Berlin."

Wikipedia is correct here. It was the legal successor to the party that shot down people trying to cross the Berlin Wall, destroyed the lives of dissenters (sometimes by firing squad in the courtyards of Potsdam Villas where Putin used to hang out and oversee the proceedings as a KGB officer--I've seen the bullet holes), and made it illegal for than more than four people to congregate at one table at a café.

I know Bernie Sanders is nothing like this, but Americans aren't the only people to use the term. In Europe, he would be considered more of a Social Democrat, not a Stalinist Kommissar.

Accurate HassleCat Aug 2015 #1
Wow. That's one hell of a political iliteracy if you don't know that. DetlefK Aug 2015 #2
And so the average person must be politically illiterate demwing Aug 2015 #4
Agree ooky Aug 2015 #6
+1 n/t Matrosov Aug 2015 #39
What I learned about socialism in my economics class: Bradical79 Aug 2015 #5
Never has worked...never will...no matter WHO tries to implement that system.nt clarice Aug 2015 #15
Oh god, thank you for the OUT LOUD laughter randys1 Aug 2015 #26
You are quite welcome...how are you Randi? nt clarice Aug 2015 #55
Only if they're Muslims. RiverNoord Aug 2015 #23
There are people who think Capitalism = Freedom too.... Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2015 #31
Excellent post! I have run into right wing trolls on this site who understand so little PatrickforO Aug 2015 #3
The Nazi's called themselves National Socialists demwing Aug 2015 #7
Sure they did! PatrickforO Aug 2015 #18
Just to clarify demwing Aug 2015 #20
I knew that! We're definitely cool. But when the general election comes around and PatrickforO Aug 2015 #37
"... combines oligarchy with chest-pounding nationalism." Sounds like we have a little bit of Stardust Aug 2015 #58
To boil it down further . . . snot Aug 2015 #8
Why isn't that a Democratic Capitalist? brooklynite Aug 2015 #9
Because virtually all large scale capitalists hifiguy Aug 2015 #12
The answer is, because that is an incorrect definition. The word Socialism in the definition isnt stevenleser Aug 2015 #13
"Democratic Socialists are anti-Capitalist and would seek to do away with Capitalism" brooklynite Aug 2015 #17
And I'm sure you'll be the first to help clear up the confusion demwing Aug 2015 #25
If you have to "clear up the confusion", you're already on the defensive. brooklynite Aug 2015 #34
Failure to respond demwing Aug 2015 #52
Um... What? RiverNoord Aug 2015 #28
You did note that I quoted that verbatim from the post above me, right? brooklynite Aug 2015 #50
lol - yes, my response was directed at him :-) RiverNoord Aug 2015 #67
Do you enjoy just making shit up? HERVEPA Aug 2015 #30
Is that what you call me having links to back me up? No wonder you are so confused! nt stevenleser Aug 2015 #47
Here is a video that I hope you will watch when you can find the time. PotatoChip Aug 2015 #45
I'll watch it, but there are two possibilities. The definition is clear. stevenleser Aug 2015 #51
Better than helping communist dictatorships like the Koch family did with Stalin! cascadiance Aug 2015 #60
Capitalism can't "be restrained" or "controlled"... AOR Aug 2015 #10
The OP is confusing Social Democracy with Democratic Socialism. Democratic Socialists would agree stevenleser Aug 2015 #14
Maybe Steven...can't speak for the OP... AOR Aug 2015 #42
There is a very simple problem with your assertion... stevenleser Aug 2015 #48
Doesn't Bernie caucus and vote with Democrats like 95% of the time or something? AOR Aug 2015 #56
In a Boolean situation, what would you have him do, caucus with the GOP or vote with them? stevenleser Aug 2015 #62
I'm not really sure what you're trying to say overall Steven... AOR Aug 2015 #68
Simple, you tried to make a judgement based on who he caucuses with and votes with. stevenleser Aug 2015 #69
Fair enough Steven clear explanation... AOR Aug 2015 #71
That is an incorrect definition. The Actual Democratic Socialists of America describe themselves stevenleser Aug 2015 #11
They believe in working within capitalism AND within the Democratic Party. See Reply 27. merrily Aug 2015 #29
As far as it will take them, sure. But they are also clearly against Capitalism and for Socialism. stevenleser Aug 2015 #49
That's why the Right listened to Lewis Powell. Octafish Aug 2015 #16
I'm always puzzled when I read that about Americans fearing becoming like Norway or Stardust Aug 2015 #59
You are most welcome. Carey explains how Capital rose to defend itself with a bodyguard of lies. Octafish Aug 2015 #61
Thank you. I'll do my best to spread the word about Alex Carey. Stardust Aug 2015 #63
It doesn't matter what the actual Def is: Socialism is defined by those who practice it. lewebley3 Aug 2015 #19
Sure, Definitions don't matter, only stuff people pull out of their ears matters. merrily Aug 2015 #22
I am Dem I could not vote for socialist. Sanders should not be in the Dem party lewebley3 Aug 2015 #36
He's not a Socialist, so no worries. See Reply 27 and the threads linked in that post. merrily Aug 2015 #38
I watch this man career for about 25 years: He refused to join the Dem for years lewebley3 Aug 2015 #40
You think Dean (former Gov of Vermont and former DNC head) and Schumer didn't also watch his career? merrily Aug 2015 #41
Schummer will not support Sanders: Schummer thinks Obama it too left wing lewebley3 Aug 2015 #46
I think Schumer is too right wing. So? truebluegreen Aug 2015 #57
Then don't vote for him. frylock Aug 2015 #54
Gee, once you explain it, Americans will just line up! yallerdawg Aug 2015 #21
They lined up for FDR. Most elected President in history. merrily Aug 2015 #24
Trump is flying down to Mobile, AL today. yallerdawg Aug 2015 #33
Say Social Security and Medicare. They'll catch on. merrily Aug 2015 #35
Not since Carter... yallerdawg Aug 2015 #43
I don't believe that and polls are to the contrary. Also, please see Reply 27. merrily Aug 2015 #44
Yes, this is the mentality you see down there in many cases. Time for an edumacation!!! cascadiance Aug 2015 #64
That was just code for he's going to help the blacks. N/ azmom Aug 2015 #32
Democrat Socialist--someone who likes the New Deal and the Great Society. merrily Aug 2015 #27
A candidate I would vote for. Tierra_y_Libertad Aug 2015 #53
THANK YOU!!!! It is a shame that we live in the only western democracy where it is necessary Douglas Carpenter Aug 2015 #65
The Facebooker who wrote that changed a few of the DSA statements muriel_volestrangler Aug 2015 #66
That's just one definition. To me and my family, it means something else entirely DFW Aug 2015 #70
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