The Commies are Coming, The Commies are Coming!

AI Free

There is much pearl clutching today by the leaders of the Democratic party as it relates to the Democratic Socialists (DS) who have somehow managed to get themselves endorsed and elected.

A generally moderate independent voter, I admit touching some pearls myself.  Democrats are concerned that they (DS) will drag the whole party down; in what should be a huge, blue tsunami some fear it could end up a small wave lapping helplessly ashore because of DS candidates. A legitimate fear. Meanwhile, supporters of these new interlopers say the DS candidates are generating the first real excitement for the Democrats in many years. There is some truth to that too.

Republicans, naturally, and others of their ilk are describing these “wild-eyed radicals” as Communists. Not true, of course, although compared to today's two main Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum parties they are certainly "different."  (Besides, to today's Republicans anyone to the left of Genghis Khan is communist.) Like most of us Americans, they don’t really the know difference between liberal, socialist or communist – or even that there is a difference. So, how did DS suddenly get a foothold in a conservative country like the US?

Perhaps it was overdue.

Throughout history, the average person has had certain expectations of their governments. Rather governed by a king, a dictator, or democracy, they expect to be able to feed their family, have shelter, and to be left alone to live their lives. Not really asking for much. When those simple conditions are not being met, however, they get angry and finally “the people” start to revolt or turn against their so-called leaders and all they stand for. It happens Every. Single. Time.

King Louis XVI  French Revolution 1789
(Off with his head - We want croissants, we want croissants!)

Of course, today the bar is somewhat higher. Modern countries have almost nothing in common with their earlier selves. Life is much more complex with many difficult problems that simply can’t be solved by just ignoring them or hoping the free markets will solve them. A cursory look at America’s history will inform us where we would be if it weren’t for many government programs. It’s easy to forget that our “socialist” government gave us Social Security, Medicare, the interstate highway system, the internet - food inspection? - and countless other important things. With Republicans calling it “communism” Every. Single. Time. 

We Americans have been enormously successful for a very long time. In a sense, perhaps we've been spoiled not just by that success but by the stability and reliability of our government. Yet more recently that same government has ignored our many big problems - among them, out of control costs for healthcare, housing and education as well extreme income inequality - that have caused a great deal of damage for so many Americans in the last few decades. (Our attention misdirected, no doubt, by the “bread and circus” aspects of our modern society - can you say pro sports, reality TV and smart phones?) In any event, we have all been very compliant - some might call us sheep - for silently putting up with it. Meanwhile, those big issues are only growing while our usual political leadership seems unable – or unwilling - to do anything. (Well, they are solving the important day light savings time problem.) As noted earlier, history shows that when the political elite can’t - or won’t - make changes that help the “common folk” eventually the pitch forks come out. 

I believe MAGA was a warning shot, a legitimate cry in the wilderness for change. Unfortunately, it was hijacked by a very bad man and converted into a grievance-ridden focus on social issues that are far from the biggest problems of the country.

So, could that be why the DS is finding an audience today? Not unlike their earlier predecessors in MAGA or the even earlier Freedom Caucus, they are talking about those big problems that are making the lives of average Americans so difficult and offering solutions and changes to the way the government responds. Do we like all their solutions? Absolutely NOT - like the Republicans and Democrats they have some really bad ideas too (See Minneapolis city council DS members) and many will not fly in America. And hopefully, unlike those earlier movements they won’t turn into a nativist, anti-immigrant, anti-science, anti-democracy rabble. 

Maybe its time for us to get out the pitchforks?
(Hopefully minimize the beheadings)

While holding some goofy positions, the DS are not communist. Mostly, they are similar to several European nations, especially the successful Nordic countries’ systems – which have provided a wonderful quality of life for their citizens. I understand that to us Americans that still sounds like communism but that’s only because of a hatred/fear of government that has been pounded into us since the founding of the country and fear mongering by corporate interests ever since. 

I am not a social democrat nor will I join them. In fact, my greatest hope is not that DS win every election but rather that they win enough so our two main parties start to get a clue from them on how to start solving our freaking problems! (Should I start holding my breath?) 

These are very treacherous times with several possible outcomes for our country - most of them bad - so we desperately need change, real change, and if the DS pushes that I'm all for them.

Let’s hope for the best but plan for the worst - and don’t let demagogues scare you, America will NEVER be a communist nation!  

And be prepared because as is usually the case the youth will lead the way during times like this.

Music for the people . . .

 Do You Hear the People Sing?    Les Miz

Revolution   Beatles

Note: This will in all likelihood be my last post until after the election (which we will have!) and as after the 2024 election I will again have two posts for two possible outcomes. Please, please help make sure it's the happy one!