Why is it suddenly important to rehabilitate the toxic term "socialism"?

[riverine]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Omaha Steve (a host of the General Discussion forum).

I don't get it.

The only thing I can think of is that one certain candidate who is running as a Democrat has hitched his wagon to the term.

Is there any other reason?

Please do tell.

[Turin_C3PO]

1. Because Republicans use it, falsely, as a talking point.

Socialism has a clear definition and nothing that Sanders or Warren or anyone else is proposing comes close.

[riverine]

7. But the dumb old bastard calls himself a SOCIALIST!

I am not going to explain to my extended F&F that we are not really socialists despite his claims otherwise.

[Turin_C3PO]

10. He shouldn't use the term.

The so-called Nordic model of Scandinavia that he champions is a progressive, regulated, capitalist economy with a generous social safety net.

[riverine]

14. We agree.

But you must admit Sanders is DQ'ed as a general election candidate.

[Turin_C3PO]

16. I don't support Sanders at all.

I agree with much of his positions but he and some of his supporters are too divisive and might hurt us in 2020. I hope not.

[global1]

20. I Call It 'Social Capitalism'......nt

[Gothmog]

13. Agreed

[pnwmom]

12. So why waste our time trying to rehabilitate that term? Why not focus

on what our real candidates are actually proposing?

[Turin_C3PO]

15. I'm not really big on the term, myself.

I don’t really care for the term democratic socialist.

On the other hand, I refuse to demonize the term like the Republicans have.

[4now]

2. You are right

and I have no interest in defending socialism.

[msongs]

3. because it is a key marketing term for one of the candidates nt

[ck4829]

4. What's the point of being concerned about the "toxicity" of "socialism" when we do nothing,

absolutely nothing, about the toxicity coming from the right wing?

It's like we're screaming about the IV on the left arm and not even seeing the cobra biting us on the right arm.

It's crazy.

[mountain grammy]

17. Exactly!

But it’s a reason to hate on Bernie Sanders. He has always understood and promoted democratic socialism because it works. We’re too cowardly to defend it. We’ve let the haters on the right control the narrative.

[guillaumeb]

5. Because capitalists love to use the term to frighten people.

It is not toxic. The framing is toxic.

[ck4829]

9. And I think it's OK to go a little further, it's the framers of this who are toxic.

[guillaumeb]

11. Some might be truly convinced of what they write.

There are many examples of socialism in the US.

Perhaps the poster is unaware of them.

[Voltaire2]

8. It ain't toxic.

Sorry you’ve fallen for that bullshit.

[procon]

18. Anyone who thinks the modern day versions of

Socialism is "toxic", has drank deep and long from the Republican cup of lies. Ask our neighbor, Canada, if their type of socialism is "toxic", or try that line with any other industrialized European country. Just stop.

Can we at least make the intelligent observation that the scary Karl Marx variety of socialism - that Republicans love to use as example - isn't a viable form of government in any of today's progressive, social democracies.

[rockfordfile]

19. What the hell are you talking about? It's not toxic. Only a trump supporter would think so

[Dr Hobbitstein]

21. It's not toxic. At least not to educated individuals.

Pro tip: USSR was not socialist. It was a totalitarian regime hiding under the guise of communism (which, by the way, is NOT synonymous with socialism).

[Omaha Steve]

22. After a review by forum hosts....LOCKING

Per the decisions and instructions of the DU Admins, all OP's regarding Democratic candidates for the Party's nomination for President are to be posted in the Democratic Primaries Forum. Please post your OP there. Thanks