Hey "Democratic-Socialists!" About 7 in 10 Americans in a recent poll say they have more trust in the free market than in the government:

But keep attacking capitalism. Great idea.

SmartKat · 56-60, F

Capitalism in and of itself is not a bad thing. We need *some* capitalism - for one thing, it encourages innovation. The problem is unfettered capitalism. When money-hungry people have no regulations or restraints, they tend to do terrible things to other people and the planet.

I’m old enough to remember when we had a saner capitalism here in the U.S. [sigh]

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

It's a missaplied term anyway. Not even Bernie or AOC have socialist policies. They just advocate a more controlled and egalitarian form of capitalism.

DrWatson · 70-79, M

@Burnley123 I remember reading an editorial from a German newspaper years ago. The writer was perplexed over how Republicans in the US kept calling Obama a socialist, when by European standards, according to this writer, Obama was "slightly right of center."

I agree that the word is over-used in the US.

SW-User

@Burnley123 Right -- the ongoing debate about actual socialism. Hence my quotes around the term. It's become a neologism at this point though.

SW-User

@DrWatson I used to scream it: "OBAMA IS A CENTRIST!" No one cared. The real left in the U.S. was aware though (Chomsky, The Nation).

Northwest · M

There are a handful of people, who may be saying Socialism, but I'm sure they mean moving toward Norway, rather than China, or maybe North Korea.

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Northwest · M

@SW-User The bulk of Silicon Valley, Portland high tech, Seattle High Tech, is Socialism? This IS leading.

The Trumpists are going to fudge, and no amount of reality is going to convince them. We'll see who ends up winning the primaries. The party platform is not going to move any further left. The Bernie 2016 additions (free education and universal healthcare) are big enough items.

SW-User

@Northwest The Bernie wing will push on that platform very hard indeed! Let's hope it doesn't collapse.

Northwest · M

@SW-User I think Bernie should pass the baton. We get it, but the country, and the world, cannot afford another 4 years of Trump.

DrWatson · 70-79, M

I am not a Democratic Socialist by any means. But, to be fair, an idea should be evaluated based on its merits, not on its popularity. It takes courage to stand up for things one believes in when a majority vehemently opposes you. And I say this about people of character on the left and on the right.

(Although I would make a big exception for those who argue by ad hominem attacks, insults, name-calling, death-threats, etc.)

SW-User

@DrWatson It seems more trendy than brave. I'll always have a disagreement with liberals who are more concerned with purity than winning.

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