Our Job: Take the "scary" out of Democratic Socialism

[tomhagen]

Last edited Fri Feb 21, 2020, 08:23 PM - Edit history (1)

Trump will relish attacking the word Socialism

[randr]

1. This has been the job of the DNC for over 40 years

and we all know how well they have done.
We are up against the most hated man in American history at a time when socialism is disliked as much.
We have failed to rebrand the programs that so many Americans depend on.

[jmbar2]

2. See the vid right below this on on DU

We don't have time to change ignorant hearts and minds. The house is burning down around us. Just don't tell the occupants inside that the fire dept is socialist.

[NurseJackie]

3. Too late. I fear that we're a divided party and I fear that we're going to lose...

... if BS is nominated. And considering the distrust and resentment and all the smears and attacks on the party and the leadership itself, I wonder if we'll have the strength to take on the GOP and Russia. Sad.

After years and YEARS of having "high profile" politicians continually TEAR DOWN and SMEAR the Democratic party with lies about the party being "corrupt" and "a total failure" and "no different than the GOP" and "the party of the elite" and "ideologically bankrupt" and "too focused on diversity" (blah blah blah, puke! so many lies lies lies) it's really no wonder that people are turning away from the party and it's no wonder that people feel like their vote doesn't matter.

Basically, if you're explaining and "teaching"... you're already losing and you're already behind. At this late date at this final hour... it's too late.

Heaven help us. All this divisiveness and negativity was intentional from the very beginning. All along it was done with intent to divide and weaken the party. But I seriously want to know, what good purpose does it serve? It only benefits Trump and the GOP and Russia. Why would anyone INTENTIONALLY do their level best to destroy and divide our party with such harmful and divisive rhetoric? So many lies. So many smears.

Negativity generates apathy. Apathy discourages voter turnout. Low voter turnout gives Republicans a chance to steal the elections.

[sandensea]

4. But what's worth promoting is SOCIAL DEMOCRACY - not democratic socialism.

There is a difference:

Social democrat (Olof Palme; had a balanced socialist approach with strategic nationalizations, and amid solid growth and 2% unemployment won four elections):



Democratic socialist (Salvador Allende; he meant well - but attempted an outright state takeover of the economy and quickly ran aground):

[jmbar2]

5. It doesn't matter what you call it, it will mean four or more years of the current occupant

Our house is on fire! We don't have the luxury of reeducating the idiots before the next election. That is a multigenerational project. We begin by getting the arsonists out of the white house NOW.

[sandensea]

6. It might mean just that - if Bernie insists on mislabeling it 'democratic socialism'.

But he's stubborn.

[NurseJackie]

7. If you're explaining and justifying and defining... you're LOSING.

At this late date, and this eleventh hour... we don't have the luxury of endless time. If this continues, prepare for another four years of Trump. Prepare for an eight-to-one (or seven-to-two) conservative majority in the Supreme Court. Say goodbye to Roe. Marriage equality will remain in place... but the supreme court will allow it to be nibbled away at the edges by giving "religious exemptions" to everyone and their uncle who claims that they have a "religious right" to discriminate and deny.

[sandensea]

8. We were just saying the same with jmbar, just above.

'Social democrat' - besides being more accurate - is much more palatable than 'democratic socialist'.

But Bernie's stubborn. I absolutely agree that he's making it much too easy for the fascist right (i.e. Cheeto and his Rethugs).

That's why I prefer Liz Warren to Mr. Bernie (would it that she could be doing better!).

[NurseJackie]

9. Stubbornness is not a good trait to have for anyone who wants to lead and make things happen.

A true leader can always find common ground and mutual beneficial interests. A strong leader isn't judged to be strong because of stubbornness and an unwillingness to compromise... a strong leader is someone who sees value in moving forward (even if just a little) rather than standing still.

I just don't see those qualities in Bernie Sanders (or his campaign, or any of the people he's hired to run his campaign).

The candidate that I support will have true leadership qualities and will have the demeanor and temperament to lead.

[paleotn]

10. Oh, please.

Common ground and mutual beneficial interests? Maybe Bernie's detractors should take that to heart as they seem to exhibit exactly what they accuse Bernie of. Elizabeth Warren, my 1st choice, is just as intractable in her views as Bernie, yet get's a tiny fraction of the auto-hate dished out towards Sanders. Interesting.

[NurseJackie]

11. Why so bitter?

Common ground and mutual beneficial interests?

Bernie and his followers consider their "no compromise" philosophy to be a point of pride. I think it's more a point of vanity... I'll never understand why anyone would think that NO PROGRESS (for the sake of being able to boast "I didn't compromise'') is better than making some incremental progress. Isn't half a loaf (or even a slice) better than nothing at all. Isn't "progress" the main idea being being "progressive"? Yet, oddly enough... there's a certain hard-core element that feels they have the luxury of saying NO to everything for purity's sake. But... for pity's sake... wouldn't it be better to find common ground?

Yes... "interesting" indeed.

[paleotn]

13. No bitterness here. I just don't like those who cut their noses off to spite their face.

and worse yet, help take down the rest of the country with them. The country I worry about. Those people I mention can go straight to hell, be they trumpers or idiot Dems. So go ahead...respond....yada, yada, yada.....

[NurseJackie]

14. Oh, how charming!

Those people I mention can go straight to hell, be they trumpers or idiot Dems.

Oh, how charming!

[paleotn]

15. You bet.

and yes, they can.

[NurseJackie]

16. I wonder if "they" feel the same way in return. Probably so.

[paleotn]

17. What is it that old man Potter said in It's a Wonderful Life....

I don't like them either so that makes us even.

[IndianaDave]

12. I thoroughly disagree with the premise. It's not our job to defend Democratic Socialism

As a lifelong member of the Democratic party, I believe that our "job" is to stand for our principles: compassion, justice, the opportunity to live in a free society which values equality, mutual respect, and security. Our "job" is to persuade our fellow citizens that our country benefits from equal opportunity, workers' rights, fair living wages and liberating policies.

The Democratic party has functioned very well in managing capitalism to benefit the great majority of Americans over the past century. Unions and a myriad of social programs, supported and implemented by Democratic leaders and our party, have been immensely successful and helpful to our people.

It's up to socialists to convince us that we need to abandon our principles, and participate in a rather vague economic revolution.

For instance, let's just consider healthcare. It would be helpful to hear precisely what will happen to the hundreds of thousands of of people who currently work in the health insurance industry. What plans exist to retrain and employ them? What will happen to doctors, nurses and auxiliary healthcare staff who are unwilling or unable to take massive cuts in pay because of their current investments in their medical practices, homes, and so forth -- and what will happen to rural hospitals which cannot afford to function at the pay scale provided by Medicare? I will not prolong this, but similar questions exist in regard to "free" college education for all, and the many other programs being promoted by the "social democrats."

I don't consider it my responsibility to pretend that the current iteration of socialism which is being promoted will lead us to utopia. We can work together to reduce corporate inequities without abandoning our current structures. But we do not have to embrace (let alone defend) socialism -- however it is now being defined -- without having serious, well-reasoned answers to some really pertinent questions, which affect the lives and income of many of our fellow Americans.

[tomhagen]

18. Simply rebrand socialism as Compassion Justice and Opportunity.