Howard Zinn on Democratic Socialism

[Quixote1818]

[panfluteman]

1. Socialism IS More Democratic and Egalitarian - It's Economic Democracy!

I forgot exactly who said that, or who first expressed those sentiments, but it makes a lot of sense to me. Capitalism, on the other hand, thrives on creating disparities, which it says provide incentives to motivate economic progress and achievement, but from there, it's not such a large step to fascism and oligarchy.

[lovemydog]

2. I'm a democratic socialist too.

I've seen Howard Zinn speak, and everyone should know that he was a decorated soldier in World War II. I highly recommend his book A People's History of the United States, for anyone who hasn't yet read it.

I'd put it a bit different from his explanation, for myself. I'd say that we should regulate two major industries - banking and health care. I believe we should take the profit out of health care, and move toward a single payer system and / or free health care for every citizen. I also believe we should break up the biggest banks - they should not dictate American domestic economic policy. I also believe in a standard minimum income for those who cannot find work. And in a maximum amount of wealth for any individual. I believe most of the best changes occur at local grassroots levels. In terms of personal changes, getting rid of credit cards from big banks, switching money from big banks to credit unions and locally owned bands wherever possible. In terms of political change, voting in every local, state and congressional election for the most progressive candidate available.

While I know the presidency is important, I also feel the most dynamic opportunities for lasting change take place at lower levels. Like, say, choosing to carpool, choosing to befriend someone who looks and congregates perhaps with people different from yourself, choosing to go vegetarian, choosing to try hanging out with people of different religious or non-demoninational beliefs, taking with people of different political beliefs in a friendly or civil manner, choosing to buy local coffee, choosing to do volunteer work once a week or once a month, choosing to try doing pot luck dinners with friends, I'm just throwing out some examples of ways we can all impact things in a positive way to benefit ourselves and others around us.

I believe we need 535 people like Barbara Lee and Bernie Sanders in Congress, and as mayors and city council persons and district attorneys. I'm also a huge believer in civil rights and expanding the rights of women, people of color, lbgt people, getting them into positions of power where they can have positive impact at all levels. We've recently seen this in Baltimore with a woman of color choosing to prosecute police for homicide.

Democratic socialists can differ in some of their opinions in the same way that conservatives and liberals can differ somewhat in their opinions as well. I believe some of the best and most democratic people in our history have been and are democratic socialists. With an emphasis on democracy.

[Dont call me Shirley]

4. Right on, lovemydog. We need democratic workplaces, employee owned

[lovemydog]

5. Most definitely, dcms, more democratic workplaces, employee owned.

I'm going to look into that more and see how it works for a start-up business. Thank you for reminding me!

[jwirr]

7. Love your definition of local democratic socialism. We can even now be involved. I think we need

both levels of government though because some really good things have come top down: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid. But that is true in all governmental forms. A Democratic Socialism merely has that as its goal.

[lovemydog]

8. Thanks and I'm glad you got my point that it's defined somewhat differently

for every individual. I believe in voting, and agree with you that who we choose at all levels of government, including the presidency, is important. I vote for the most progressive candidate on every ballot. Unless I feel it's a super close race and my vote will prevent a republican from taking office. Then I might look at it more carefully. I wouldn't want my vote to be a 'spoiler' vote, as I feel many of the Nader votes were in Florida in 2000. I know some would disagree. But I would have voted for Gore if I had lived in Florida in 2000. I'm glad Sanders is running as a democrat.

[merrily]

3. According to wiki, Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Democratic Socialist. Not shabby.

To the greatest

[L0oniX]

6. Automatic rec for anything Zinn

[MrMickeysMom]

9. Bookmarking for later...

Great OP…

I have People's History. It was one of those books that took YEARS to go through, but I could read it all over again, because the theme is the same throughout.

People really need to examine the meaning of the following: "liberal" "socialized" and "democracy". They need to seek the true MEANING.