Here, Socialism meant honest, frugal government

[PeaceNikki]

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/42448437.html

"Are We All Socialists Now?" That was the plaintive title of a panel discussion at the recent Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington. The word "socialist" is being heard all over America these days as the federal government takes over banks, tells automakers what to do and tightens regulations in an effort to pull our economy out of its current tailspin. The label is not generally intended as a compliment. To many Americans, socialism means being governed by the government - suffocating under layers of bureaucracy that sop up tax dollars and smother individual initiative.

And that's the positive view. Some critics carelessly lump socialism together with anarchism or even communism. After invoking the "s" word at the recent conservative conference, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said, "Lenin and Stalin would love this stuff." He conveniently forgot, or perhaps never knew, that most American socialists were sworn enemies of Soviet Communism.

The view from Milwaukee is radically different. I'm not a socialist and never have been, but I can testify that Socialism - with a capital "S"- was one of the best things that ever happened to this city. Without realizing it, even the most red-blooded capitalists are enjoying the fruits of their efforts, from spacious parks to clean streets and from a working infrastructure to an expectation, however frequently disappointed, of honest government.

Before the Socialists took charge, Milwaukee was just as corrupt as Chicago at its worst. Our mayor at the turn of the 20th century was David Rose, a political prince of darkness who allowed prostitution, gambling dens, all-night saloons and influence-peddling to flourish on his watch. Grand juries returned 276 indictments against public officials of the Rose era. "All the Time Rosy" escaped prosecution himself, but district attorney (and future governor) Francis McGovern called him "the self-elected, self-appointed attorney general of crime in this community."

...

After years in the political sewer, Milwaukee became, under "sewer Socialists" Seidel, Hoan and Zeidler, a model of civic virtue. Time Magazine called Milwaukee "perhaps the best-governed city in the U.S." in 1936.

...
As it came to life in Milwaukee, the Socialist movement had a moral gravity and a passion for results that still resonate in our civic life. Honesty, efficiency, creativity, frugality? If that's Socialism, let's bring it back tomorrow.

More at link.

[mopinko]

1. yup. milwaukee was the best run city in the country for many years with

socialists in charge.
i agree, bring it on. at least then we have to be honest about all the things that we have socialized for the rich.

[RandomKoolzip]

2. Proud socialist kick!

:hi:

[PeaceNikki]

3. w00t!!

Thanks! :hi:

[Sherman A1]

4. Thanks for posting

I think this will make a great rebuttal for an email I recently received.

[Oak2004]

5. And you do know, that experiment with "sewer socialism" is being run again

The results?

"America's Healthiest City", 2008, by the CDC

Given "Level 5" award (highest possible level) by ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability for efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (one of two ICLEI member cities to receive this award), 2008

Named one of "America's Greenest Cities" by Organic Gardening Magazine, 2008

Ranked #1 in a regional study of downtowns, 2007

"Tree City USA" award by National Arbor Day Foundation for 13th year, 2007

Top 25 "Small Cities and Towns" Arts destinations by readers of American Style Magazine, 2007

Ranked #5 among "Top Ten Places to Retire Young" by Money Magazine, 2007

Ranked "Greenest City" in the country, 2007

Ranked 4th among "Top 10 cities for Beer Lovers", 2006

Ranked 5th in "America's Healthiest Places for Women," 2006

One of the "Top 25 Cities for Art", 2006

Named the "Best of the Best" places to live (top 5 of their "50 Best Places to Live," Men's Journal Magazine, 2006

One of "50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live," 2005

Number 12 among the top 25 small cities in American Style Magazine's "Top Arts Destinations" , 2005

Ranked #1 in the U.S. on its index of business vitality, 2005

No.3 Best State for Healthy Kids, 2005

No.1 Best State for Women, 2005

No.6 in the World for Destination Stewardship & Sustainable Tourism Initiative, National Geographic Magazine, 2004

No. 7 Best Small Cities to Do Business. Inc Magazine, 2004

"City Livability Award," US Conference of Mayors, 2004

No.7 Most student-friendly U.S. City for populations under 1 million, 2004

No.2 Happiest and No.4 Healthiest Place to Live in the U.S., Self Magazine, 2004

Ranked number 1 in Northeast, "Best Places to Live" (Metro 50,000 - 500,000), 2003Ranked No. 4 for "Healthiest" and No. 2 for "Happiest" City for Women. Self Magazine, 2003

Sixth most artist-friendly alternative to N.Y. and L.A., 2002

I could go on, but I think I'll stop what could approach spamming the board. I've got a string of these going all the way back to the late '80s.

Oh. And Burlington Vermont was just another run-down town that people ran away from before it started electing socialist mayors.

Maybe it's time the US try experimenting with socialism.

[Serial Mom]

7. No need to experiment when a socialist democracy has been proven to work

I love your state... would move there except for one thing - one kid/grandkid in Wisconsin and the other 2 on west coast! Too far to travel.

But I always was proud that Wisconsin had a socialist background and thought about leaving the state after a close 2004 vote almost turned us into a red state! I was sorely disappointed that a lot of people in this state did not remember the Milwaukee socialists and the LaFollette family, even though they started as Repukes in early 1900s, but were best remembered as a proponents of Progressivism.

[eridani]

6. Just a brief comment on the term 'sewer socialism"

This was a insult out of left field, not out of right field. A few years ago I found out that it was Eugene Debs that directed the insult at socialists who were actually doing practical governing. His gripe--they were more concerned with cleaning the streets than with marching on them.

[LWolf]

8. Too late to recommend, so I'll just say,

Perhaps we should have elected a politician from Milwaukee instead of Chicago.

[PeaceNikki]

9. Or Janesville.

:)

[LWolf]

10. Heh.

He was one I'd hoped would run, back before the '08 primaries kicked off.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: