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Ichingcarpenter

(36,988 posts)
Tue Mar 24, 2015, 05:16 AM Mar 2015

Want to Rebuild the Left? Take Socialism Seriously

Kshama Sawant March 23, 2015


After three decades of neoliberal economic policies and the staggering inequality they have produced, we are witnessing a rebirth of socialist ideals


As the sun set on the Occupy Seattle encampment in December 2011, the question “What next?” hung in the air, as it did over Zuccotti Park in New York City. The tents were gone, our spirits were dampened, but an awakened sense of empowerment prevailed.

The movement had given voice to a widespread fury at big business and a recognition of the gaping class divide. Key to Occupy’s success were the thousands of young people who had helped elect President Obama and had completed their own first steps toward achieving the American Dream, only to see their college degrees translate into crushing student debt and poverty wages.

Inside and outside the encampments, discussions about the moral bankruptcy of Wall Street began to evolve into questions about the viability of capitalism itself. A revived search for an alternative had begun.

Socialism has been declared dead many times. After the fall of the Berlin Wall and the ensuing collapse of the “communist” regimes in Eastern Europe, the global capitalist elite launched an unprecedented ideological offensive. The obituary was written not only for socialism, but for the basic ideas of collective struggle by the working class.

Now, after three decades of virtually untrammeled neoliberal policies, with class questions again brought to the fore by unprecedented levels of inequality, we have been witnessing a renewed interest in socialist ideas. Half of the young Americans surveyed between the ages of 18 and 29 viewed socialism positively, according to a Pew Research Center poll in December 2011.....................more



http://www.thenation.com/article/198425/socialist-politics-heart-rebuilding-left#


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Want to Rebuild the Left? Take Socialism Seriously (Original Post) Ichingcarpenter Mar 2015 OP
I so agree but to many in America Socialism is bad newfie11 Mar 2015 #1
A brilliant quote from John Steinbeck, Joe Chi Minh Mar 2015 #2
As Newfie11 observed... gregcrawford Mar 2015 #3
K&R. Yes please! Overseas Mar 2015 #4

newfie11

(8,159 posts)
1. I so agree but to many in America Socialism is bad
Tue Mar 24, 2015, 07:13 AM
Mar 2015

They equate it to communism. The public has been fed this lie for over 50 years.
With the MSM/big brother spouting whatever lie suits them, the term socialism would be vilified.
It amazes me how people vote against their own betterment.

Joe Chi Minh

(15,229 posts)
2. A brilliant quote from John Steinbeck,
Tue Mar 24, 2015, 08:09 AM
Mar 2015

identifying the power of the right-wing's propaganda. Also, I believe promising left-wing leaders were assassinated. Joe Bageant mentioned it in one of his essays, and I believe I saw another reference to it elsewhere.

“Socialism never took root in America because the poor see themselves not as an exploited proletariat but as temporarily embarrassed millionaires.” - John Steinbeck

gregcrawford

(2,382 posts)
3. As Newfie11 observed...
Tue Mar 24, 2015, 08:23 AM
Mar 2015

... the drones of the conservative hive regurgitate Neocon talking points that conflate socialism with communism. While I doubt that facts can ever penetrate the ear-to-ear bone of malicious Teabagger trolls, maybe if I write real slow some glimmer of truth will seep in:

SOCIALISM SIMPLY MEANS THAT A GOVERNMENT PUTS THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE AHEAD OF THE BEST INTERESTS OF CORPORATIONS, WHOSE BEST INTERESTS RARELY, IF EVER, COINCIDE WITH THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE.

And it is the PEOPLE that are the nation, NOT the government, and CERTAINLY not corporations.

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