John Nichols discusses democratic socialism

[dragonlady]

John Nichols, an editor at the Nation magazine, was a guest on Wisconsin Public Radio today to talk about democratic socialism, which has become relevant to the current Democratic primaries. He discussed the socialists who governed Milwaukee for many years up until 1960 and brought good government to the city. He said if he were advising Bernie Sanders, he would recommend pointing out the history of socialism in America and the socialist institutions we have long depended on and valued: the fire department, the public library, Medicare and Social Security, to name a few.

This excellent program will be repeated tonight at 9 pm (Central time) and can be heard at this website: http://www.wpr.org/ (go to Listen--Ideas) or later at WPR's archives. Nichols also has a new version of his book The S Word: A Short History of an American Tradition...Socialism coming out next week.

(Cross-posted from GD-P)

[postulater]

1. I read the original and look forward to the new edition.

I have lived in Milwaukee for 30 years and there is some important history resulting from the Milwaukee Socialists that I learned from this book.

The history of the municipal water system is described as is a plan by the mayor to link area farmers to hungry inner city people during the depression bypassing grocers who wouldn't locate stores in the neighborhoods.

This is the 'good' kind of socialism that any human should be able to appreciate. It just needs to be publicized.

Nichols interview is also available on iTunes podcast The Joy Cardin Show (later today or tonight). I almost stayed in my car to hear the end of the interview but had to get into the office.