In These Times: Let’s Talk Democratic Socialism, Already

[marmar]

Let’s Talk Democratic Socialism, Already
After 30 years of failed neoliberalism, we need a real alternative.

BY Maria Svart


“There’s class warfare, all right, but it’s my class, the rich class, that’s making war, and we’re winning.” With all the right-wing hoopla about how President Barack Obama is waging class war, you might be surprised to learn that Warren Buffet said these words in 2006. The billionaire investor was acknowledging 30 years of a widening income gap—but I’ll go a step further. I believe that unfettered capitalism is inherently undemocratic and that human action can significantly democratize our political system. That’s why I’m a socialist.

Corporate America’s assaults on working people—seeking profits through offshoring jobs, busting unions, paying politicians to slash corporate taxes and deregulating the banks—have ruined our economy. Meanwhile, millions of workers have been thrown from their jobs while unions are scapegoated for manufactured budget crises at the state and local levels.

The accident of birth should not determine the course of a person’s life. Government expenditures are an indication of a society’s priorities, and it is both economically and morally imperative to provide a safety net for those who suffer the most in a downturn. Without massive public investment in healthcare, education, infrastructure and green jobs—which could be funded by progressive taxation of income along with a tax on financial transactions—our future is bleak. With high unemployment and anemic demand, the economy will continue to limp forward. Those lucky enough to have work will likely remain afraid to agitate for better conditions.

Right now, we need more jobs and better pay for less work. In the long term, ordinary people need more power—through unions, worker councils and seats on the board in the workplace, and in politics, through a public campaign finance system that provides sufficient exposure to all candidates. We need a political economy that allows everyone space and time for personal growth and thoughtful participation in the decisions that profoundly impact their lives. .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/12165/lets_talk_democratic_socialism_already

[Donnachaidh]

1. K and frigging R 10000000! n/t

[hack89]

2. I want an economy like Sweden

strong capitalism with a partnership between government, workers and business. The ability to become wealthy if I can while ensuring that the basic needs (education, health, retirement) of everyone in society are taken care of.

[azul]

3. The ticket to obtaining these needs, is secure voting

and an honest, informative media. The media frames all the issues, including that of the media, and this isn't any true democracy at all, socialist or capitalist, if the votes are fixed and/or unverifiable.

The fact that the congress and president don't address these basic failures in the system speaks loud and clear of corruption.

[xchrom]

4. recommend

[socialindependocrat]

5. We should elect the most qualified..

We should elect the most qualified candidate.

This follows from the post (through a public campaign finance system
that provides sufficient exposure to all candidates.)
We need to be able to understand what each candidate believes and is
qualified to do if elected.

The whole idea that the candidate who wins is the one with the most
money gets to post the greatest number of ads and the person who uses
the most underhanded smear campaign against their opponent, is way
off course!!! This is not a high school debate! This is the selection
of the people who will decide what needs to be done to make life better
for all Americans.
Politics are just games that are played - they're all smoke and mirrors.
We need honest, honorable people who will make America a better place to
live.

Let's start looking at how to get rid of all the games!

[meow2u3]

6. Not only should we elect the most qualified...

...but also we should demand that every candidate take a personality test, such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), to screen out previously unidentified psychopaths/sociopaths, paranoids, and/or bipolars/emotionally unstable individuals. The test is reliable and good, though not perfect, at spotting two-legged snakes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Multiphasic_Personality_Inventory

Besides, I think it would be a good idea because it would disqualify most of the rethugs in office now, not to mention corporate "New" Dems. :evilgrin: