General Discussion

David__77

(23,320 posts)

109. I'm ok with socialism as a concept and use of the term as an organizing tool.

Mon Mar 4, 2019, 08:17 PM

Mar 2019

If I understand it as a rejection of economic polarization and the progressive expansion of social rights (health care, employment, housing, education), then I’ll support socialism.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

110 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

So how do we stop "socialism"? [View all] ck4829 Mar 2019 OP

Every time republicans throw an insult at us, we tie ourselves in knots to deny it, or "defang" it. Squinch Mar 2019 #1

I like it, it's ideal, but it assumes rationality and perfect knowledge though ck4829 Mar 2019 #7

It takes a very small amount of discipline and a lot more ability to dismiss the ridiculousness Squinch Mar 2019 #10

I hope you're right ck4829 Mar 2019 #15

The problem is that some of our number kennetha Mar 2019 #2

So we say, "Yes. Bernie does call himself that, but let's not let that take away from Squinch Mar 2019 #14

Tell people to quit cashing their SS checks, quit using highways and please don't use the Autumn Mar 2019 #3

None of these things are socialism. CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #6

What ever. If it's brought to you and paid for with your tax dollars it's socialism. Autumn Mar 2019 #8

Not whatever. Repeating untruths doesn't make them any more true upon the re-telling. CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #12

Getting bogged in semantic purity does no one any good. The suggested argument is a good one. Squinch Mar 2019 #16

Nonsense. Talk about old right-wing talking points. Autumn Mar 2019 #19

Democratic Socialism is NOT part of our system. CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #23

Yes Police, Fire , Schools. the military are all socialism. pwb Mar 2019 #45

Maybe you should look up the defintion 1st... EX500rider Mar 2019 #75

All this is exactly why we should ignore efforts to "educate the electorate" on the real meaning Squinch Mar 2019 #79

Agreed mitch96 Mar 2019 #87

Exactly. "You republicans can call it whatever you want in your efforts to scare people, but we're Squinch Mar 2019 #88

Sorry charlie, I'm going to embrace the term. If Republicans don't like it tough shit. Autumn Mar 2019 #96

The Republicans DO LIKE IT. They will be very grateful if you play their game. CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #97

Perhaps a class in Who Gives a Fuck What Republicans Say and Think is Autumn Mar 2019 #99

If you help Republicans by amplifying their message it hurts Democrats. CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #100

You may accept Republican framing all you want. I'll decide on my own what terms I use. nt Autumn Mar 2019 #101

You are using the same "framing" as the Republicans. CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #102

Here's the difference, it's my framing, the way I want to frame it. Autumn Mar 2019 #105

You are playing into the Republican's hands by adopting the same "framing" as them. Not smart. CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #107

It depends how broadly or narrowly you define socialism TheRealNorth Mar 2019 #84

Since when do we Democrats buy into false right-wing narratives? CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #85

You seem to be the one buying into the narrative TheRealNorth Mar 2019 #89

Not at all. I reject Republicans calling programs like Social Security "socialism." CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #90

You failed to answer the question TheRealNorth Mar 2019 #94

What question? CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #95

So #2 ck4829 Mar 2019 #13

Fox News watchers have been brainwashed to think that those ooky Mar 2019 #26

Yes they have been brainwashed. Even certain dems like to demonize it. Autumn Mar 2019 #29

Democrats should strongly disassociate from socialism and embrace the liberal democratic values CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #4

#1. Nothing wrong with it... We just need to prepare for the inundation. ck4829 Mar 2019 #17

Socialism is not on the move. WeekiWater Mar 2019 #5

It's not that it's on the move... It's that we're going to be swamped with the accusation by 2020 ck4829 Mar 2019 #21

"Now I think that if running on it" WeekiWater Mar 2019 #24

4. Pass our "socialist" bills in the House. ooky Mar 2019 #9

And if we have to call them anything, call them "Democratic policies." Squinch Mar 2019 #11

I would call them socialist bills, and at the same time take the opportunity ooky Mar 2019 #20

A little bit of #1, a little bit of #2. Could work. ck4829 Mar 2019 #22

If we have real legislation to back it up, ooky Mar 2019 #72

Why? Why get into it? Why not just sell the policies that we support and everyone wants? Squinch Mar 2019 #25

I do understand where you are coming from. ooky Mar 2019 #31

But the truth is simply that the republicans are trying to scare them away from policies they Squinch Mar 2019 #33

Of course. ooky Mar 2019 #58

Just because you're using the same words, it doesn't follow that you mean the same thing gratuitous Mar 2019 #18

Socialism is very well defined in political science. CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #27

You know that, I know that, problem is, not everyone is a political science major ck4829 Mar 2019 #34

Which is why when people who are presumably on "our side" echo the language of CPAC... CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #36

Yes, it is gratuitous Mar 2019 #54

#2 and just a slight hint of #3 by not letting them define the term ck4829 Mar 2019 #28

The current majority strategy on DU appears to be #4 FBaggins Mar 2019 #30

Good or bad, I see that as #2 IMO ck4829 Mar 2019 #41

We need a term for their agenda that conveys the loss Perrenial Voter Mar 2019 #32

Republicans call everything they don't like "socialist" JHB Mar 2019 #35

It aids the right-wing when those on the left echo the same talking points. CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #38

Tom Steyer -- or somebody -- needs a related commercial campaign Awsi Dooger Mar 2019 #46

What we need to do is constantly bring out the examples of our socialism lunatica Mar 2019 #37

None of these things are examples of socialism. CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #39

They're all examples of socialism lunatica Mar 2019 #42

Paying for stuff with taxes isn't socialism. LOL. CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #44

You're entitled to your opinion. lunatica Mar 2019 #48

Not my "opinion" but the universal understanding of political scientists worldwide. CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #49

Sure. lunatica Mar 2019 #50

Definitions of words are not an opinion EX500rider Mar 2019 #77

We The People lunatica Mar 2019 #81

Which has zero to do with who owns the means of production. nt EX500rider Mar 2019 #108

Political Science you say???????? pwb Mar 2019 #52

No. I graduated with highest honors. CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #57

That is not in my link. pwb Mar 2019 #59

It is your link. I'd suggest reading more carefully. CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #62

Nice try. pwb Mar 2019 #64

Did you read your own link? CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #65

I am reading what everybody else is saying. pwb Mar 2019 #66

You posted a link. I quoted it back. You denied it was your link. CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #67

See ya. pwb Mar 2019 #68

So, I shouldn't expect an apology? CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #69

your link has incorrect grammatical syntax, as it says 'what is 'A' socialism', Celerity Mar 2019 #71

Look closer GulfCoast66 Mar 2019 #74

From your own link..Answers..is the accurate definition of Socialism... AncientGeezer Mar 2019 #63

Then we would be just as dishonest as republicans. Those things are not socialism. GulfCoast66 Mar 2019 #73

Can't we just get rid of: Military, Farm Aid, Police, Airports, Highways, Sports Arenas, etc.? TheBlackAdder Mar 2019 #40

ok. mercuryblues Mar 2019 #43

Talk to people about it! The friggin socialists are trying to take away our childrens' right struggle4progress Mar 2019 #47

Clearly a #2 strategy ck4829 Mar 2019 #51

Laugh at them struggle4progress Mar 2019 #61

This message was self-deleted by its author pwb Mar 2019 #53

Try a dictionary instead of "answers.com" EX500rider Mar 2019 #80

Sealioning abounds in this thread. lunatica Mar 2019 #83

+1 TheRealNorth Mar 2019 #91

The foot soldiers are obviously out in force lunatica Mar 2019 #93

And our link says... AncientGeezer Mar 2019 #86

We need to point out that they are doing all the same things... cbdo2007 Mar 2019 #55

the apt description for socialist programs should be wrapped in "freedom", "fairness" and such. Buzz beachbum bob Mar 2019 #56

Replace the word socialist with realist, because we 42bambi Mar 2019 #60

This is a BIG problem: Lucid Dreamer Mar 2019 #70

REBRAND THAT SHIT. americanism. mopinko Mar 2019 #76

By the way, all this would be helped immeasurably by the work of a good PR firm working on Squinch Mar 2019 #78

Like the Fire and Police Departments? The military? The Green Bay Packers? underpants Mar 2019 #82

Heavy on Option #2 with a dash of Option #3, and just a pinch of Option #1. VOX Mar 2019 #92

Obama Had A Best Seller ProfessorGAC Mar 2019 #98

We need to clearly show and contrast democratic socialism to run-amuk capitalism vlyons Mar 2019 #103

Don't use the public library. roody Mar 2019 #104

Stop it?! We need to embrace it! Joe941 Mar 2019 #106

I'm ok with socialism as a concept and use of the term as an organizing tool. David__77 Mar 2019 #109

Do a Harvey Milk style "come out of the closet" campaign. backscatter712 Mar 2019 #110