Check in here if you're a proud, small-'s' socialist.

[jgraz]

Just wondering how many people here are willing to embrace the name.

[DesertFlower]

1. i'm a bit of a socialist. nt

[jgraz]

3. Exactly my point

We're all a bit of a socialist. Some more than others.

[Tansy_Gold]

7. But that's not the same as being "proud" and

"embracing the name."

One could say that anyone who relies on public law enforcement, public schools, public roads is a de facto socialist.


But that's not the point.



Tansy Gold

[jgraz]

10. Fair enough.

[Tansy_Gold]

2. Me.

And I do it in "real" life under my "real" name, too.




Tansy Gold

[DesertFlower]

5. me too. nt

[Taverner]

4. Sure thing

It works in natural monopolies, unprofitable necessities and things no one else can do.

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

6. And proud of it.

n/t


http://images-1.redbubble.net/img/art/backingcolor:white/product:greeting-card/view:preview/3221438-3-mexican-red-knee-tarantula.jpg

[kestrel91316]

8. I'm about to make it official. If we don't get a Public Option.

[Walk away]

11. That'll do it for me too..............n/t

[Tansy_Gold]

12. the OP was talking about small s, not as in registered with a party

Party tags don't mean nearly as much as stance on issues.


Tansy Gold (stalling and avoiding paying work)

[Ruby the Liberal]

9. *raises hand*

I was more moderate before I lost my job, but now that I have time to pay closer attention, my blood pressure is rising by the day.

The way this whole health-care thing has played out has me amazed. It isn't even an OPTION to offer a public OPTION? They make me sick. Me me me...

[hfojvt]

13. what does that mean to you, with the small 's'?

Is it different from the POV where even the library is socialism?

[jgraz]

16. The library IS socialism, as are the police, fire department and roads

A small-'s' socialist is someone who understands the benefits of such collective action and thinks we need more of it in the country.

[hfojvt]

31. so that is your strange definition of socialism - any government spending?

I don't agree that that's socialism, and I don't think it is beneficial to call it such.

[jgraz]

35. Collective action through government. That's most people's definition of socialism.

I guess technically this would be "the people owning the means of production". This is true for libraries, police and fire departments and roads. It's true for the military. I'm surprised you think this is up for debate.

[hfojvt]

64. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you don't

I don't think most people have that definition. I have only run into one rightwinger who wanted to call all government spending as socialism. Socialism is about an economic system, not about one corporation.

It's kinda confusing if one word means libraries and the Soviet Union all at once, especially since most Americans are in favor of libraries and against the Soviet Union.

[jgraz]

65. You need to get out more

Progressives have been pointing out that the US government is socialist since at least FDR. At present, it has elements of socialism, capitalism and fascism. None of these words are absolute or universal.

[hfojvt]

68. sheesh no wonder we are so marginalized

words need to have meaning if we are gonna be able to communicate.

Besides that, how can the US government be socialist if it is controlled by corporations rather than the people?

[EFerrari]

73. Aren't corporations the biggest beneficiaries of government socialist policies?

Or, is that wrong?

How much did we spend on that Wall Street bailout again?

[deutsey]

88. I recommend you read a book called "The Long Detour"

by James Weinstein

Here's an article he wrote: http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/78/the_long_detour/

Weinstein (now deceased) was a life-long socialist and, at one time, a Communist. He does a good job in the book of distinguishing between what democratic socialism is as opposed to the authoritarian communism created in Russia.

IMO, the reason FDR was able to implement the New Deal was due in large part to the socialist movement in America between the late 19th century and the 1930s.

Socialism, as Weinstein argues, has been effectively tarred with Soviet Communism in the American imagination. Consequently, I don't see where there's a coherent socialist movement in this country. Unfortunately, the right is effectively organizing during this economic crisis, which makes me shudder to think what long-range impact that may have on Amercia just as the socialist organizing in the early 20th century influenced our political/intellectual culture for quite a few decades.

[Avalux]

14. I am a socialist with small "s".

It's a matter of principal and I'm sick of the words socialist/socialism being painted as evil.

[Coventina]

15. Depends on how you define the term. Western European socialism?

Sign me up!!

Absolutely no private property? That's going too far for me.

[jgraz]

17. I said "socialist", not "communist"

Though, if pressed, I'd probably cop to both.

[Kid Dynamite]

30. Private property in the socialist tradition

refers to factories, public use land, large equipment and the like. Unless you think a car plant producing 1000s upon 1000s of cars each year is somehow for "private use"

[Coventina]

82. No, I meant like owning your own home, personal effects, etc.

Although, I would be open to even putting limits on those maybe, like no homes with a value over a certain amount. (Don't ask me how this would work exactly, because I realize that a little hovel on a beach in Hawaii or in Manhattan is worth brazillions of dollars).

Heck, I'm radical enough to say that there should be a 100% income tax rate on anyone making over a certain limit, subject to the cost of living, inflation, etc.

[Greyhound]

18. Here. n/t

[GreenPartyVoter]

19. I consider myself to be one on many issues.

[jgraz]

20. I would have never guessed from your DU handle

:P

[GreenPartyVoter]

22. Heheh

[The_Commonist]

21. I'm more of a Commonist...

...whatever that means.

But yes, I often tell people that I'm a socialist.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

23. I was a Red Diaper baby. Grew up being a socialist.

Now I'm an Anarchist (Left-Libertarian) who sees socialism as better than capitalism but not a panacea for the abuse of power.

[bvar22]

24. I'll stand with you.

I also Recommended this BACK UP to +3.
Why would someone unrec a thread asking a question?
Some people are driven by fear of information.
I'm glad I'm not one of them.
What a horrible/fearful way to spend your life.

I favor a European blend of light socialism.
Heavy (Re)Regulation or Public Ownership of:

Energy/Utilities

Transportation

Communication

Banking/Investment

Health Care

Trade/Commerce (level playing field for Small/Local Business vs WalMart and friends)


"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone

[marmar]

25. I've definitely made a journey left of very liberal/progressive......

..... whether that makes me a socialist, or democratic socialist, or Northern European-esque social democrat, I'm not quite sure yet.

I'm a far-left work in progress. :)

[kenichol]

96. "...I'm a far-left work in progress..."

I like that!

[Deja Q]

26. Count me in. Albeit reluctantly.

Corporations aren't always bad, but what many of them are doing these days is certainly a reason to become "socialist", if caring and giving and doing what Christ would do would be deemed "socialist". And how some people fall for their claims, without even hearing any rebuttals or defense... never mind not reading the Bible, which has a lot more to say... it's sad.

[Kid Dynamite]

33. Yeah I'm thinking your reluctance is well founded

because you're really don't sound very inclined towards socialism

[Warren Stupidity]

27. gladly and enthusiastically embraced.

[underpants]

28. What is this RUSHA?

No it isn't- it is America and there is nothing wrong with being a socialist or anything else

[Bjorn Against]

29. I am a socialist and not one bit ashamed of it

[alterfurz]

32. "Socialism: if it's good enough for the bankers, it's good enough for the rest of us!"

[armyowalgreens]

34. epic fail.

[Hydra]

37. Correction: Epic win

The super rich have practiced the worst kind of socialism in America- privatizing profits and socializing losses.

[armyowalgreens]

39. That's fascism, not socialism.

Please stop smearing socialism. Thanks.

[Hydra]

41. It is fascism

But people misunderstand the term. The banks and others did indeed force the collective to pool for them, and they kept it.

[Odin2005]

36. I consider myself a libertarian socialist, and that is NOT an oxymoron.

I want a market economy based on co-ops. I want open, transparent, responsive, liberal-democratic government.

[Hydra]

38. S-ocialist

And proud of it.

I'll leave the monopolies and highway robbery to others.

[Critters2]

40. I'm a capital "S" Socialist. A member of Democratic Socialists of America.

And I keep saying we need to reclaim the name! I'm not ashamed to be a Socialist!

[DLnyc]

42. s

[jgraz]

43. Funny how the unrecs keep rolling in

I guess some people are still stuck in the 50's.

[winyanstaz]

44. I like Americas socialist programs...they help a lot of people..

I think America just needs to learn the facts so they will understand what socialism really is and that they are already using it.

[asdjrocky]

45. I like my library.

I like my roads. I like that my water is clean. I think Head Start is one of the best things to ever happen to poor kids... yeah I'll take that "s" and wear it proudly.

[Kievan Rus]

46. Jesus was a socialist -- Matthew 25:40

[European Socialist]

47. here.

[frylock]

48. present

[donco6]

49. Heck, I'm gay. Socialist is a step up the ladder. n/t

[jgraz]

57. If you're an atheist, you win the right-wing hate trifecta.

Alas, I've only got two out of three.

[donco6]

61. Well, I'm not any kinda religion of which they would approve.

Do I still get a prize? :)

[jgraz]

63. That's even better

Organized religion hates competition.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

50. I'm a socialist wannabe.

[rucky]

51. yep!

[DireStrike]

52. Hiya.

[Sisaruus]

53. I've called myself a socialist for a long time.

I also have spent my adult life working in the non-profit sector (currently at a food bank) which I see, in retrospect, as a reflection of my socialist position.

[Stinky The Clown]

54. I'm a liberal with a panoply of positions on a panoply of issues

Some of my positions are socialist.

Some might be termed right wing.

On some, I could be seen as a communist.

Mostly, though, I'm a liberal.

[tekisui]

55. I support socialist policies.

Democratic Socialism Rawks!

[Zoeisright]

56. Yup. Wouldn't have a society without it.

That's what stupid-ass repukes can't get their tiny brains around.

[JanMichael]

58. big S here. nt.

[flying rabbit]

59. That's how I roll. n/t

[gleaner]

60. Yes you can call me ..

a Socialist. All it means is that I would like to see the government help provide for the welfare of the citizens of this country instead of trying to make us sound like traitors and enemies of the people for expecting government to share in the responsibility for our lives.

I don't know where the stigma for governmental help came from, or the hatred for people who do not think we will descend into Hell if we get it. I know the right wing fosters it and nurtures it, but early on there was no particular stigma to it. Then it became synonymous with Communism, a completely different philosophy. I got used to being called that when I was giving support to anti war causes during the Viet Nam war.

I think that the Fundies, Freepers and others who have problems with "socialism," should go to their nearest place of worship and pray for intelligence instead of biting the heads off of snakes for a change.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

62. Sure. nt

[Horse with no Name]

66. Hell yeah! n/t

[Vidar]

67. I am, though not in a very organized way.

[anonymous171]

69. I don't like State socialism.

I do like the whole worker owned factory thing though.

[troubledamerican]

70. Do you use the Interstate Freeway System? Then you're a fucking socialist.

Do you get groceries that were transported on the Interstate Freeway System? Then you're a fucking socialist.

Do you get mail delivered by USPS that was transported on public roads? Then you're a fucking socialist.

Do you get gasoline that was transported to your gas station on the Interstate Freeway System? Then you're a fucking socialist.

[jgraz]

71. A "fucking socialist"? Does that mean we favor the Pubic Option?

[troubledamerican]

75. A-fucking right, mate.

[HappyCynic]

72. If I had to be labeled...

I'm a left-leaning Canadian and we don't really do a lot of the labeling (too much diversity in political parties that the labels aren't particularly useful). But if I had to be labeled, I guess I'd be considered a socialist by Canadians and most DU members, a Socialist by the general American public, and a Communist by freepers.

[Stardust]

74. Yeah. n/t

[roody]

76. Big or small, I am a socialist.

[loudsue]

77. Half and half, but leaning more socialist, at this point in time.

:hi:

[ismnotwasm]

78. Ok.

No problem with the name, just the bullshit that goes with saying it out loud.

[eridani]

79. These days, socialism is only defense of the existence of public goods

Sure, in that sense I am. Though I don't think that everything belongs in the public sphere.

[ehrnst]

80. Present! (nt)

[tomp]

81. i'm for balancing the needs of the whole with the rights of the individual...

...with the needs of the whole taking ultimate priority.

i'm for recognizing our impact in world affairs and balancing the needs of the world with the rights of individual nations.

i'm for world control of just energy distribution and other essential needs.

i'm for public ownership of natural resources.

i'm for universal health care and education.

i'm against war.

i'm against secrecy in government.

i'm for severe penalties for betrayal of public trust.

i think i qualify.

[FiveGoodMen]

83. Proud to embrace the name and many of the concepts

I think that a complete and permanent leveling of incomes would probably leave too many people unmotivated, but compared to most 'Murkins, I'm a damned communist.

[HamdenRice]

84. Sure a Keynesian mixed market socialist

That doesn't mean I sign onto every lunatic Trotskyite fringe that calls itself socialist.

[deutsey]

85. I'm a socialist. n/t

[treestar]

86. I'm a socialist by right wing standards anyway

Ideally, we should have single payer health care and good programs (tax the rich) for those who are down on their luck in a bad economy. College or career training should be available to all regardless of income (tax the rich).

But I see the Democrats as the only currently viable way to get at least in that direction. My adult life starts in the Reagan years and I've seen how much power the right can still wield.

[Tripmann]

87. I'm socialist and proud of it

[Cleita]

89. I like to think of myself as a socialist democrat.

[bertman]

90. Small "s" socialist. I'll identify myself as one. As opposed to the Big "s" socialists who

occupy the top-floor offices on Wall Street, but call themselves capitalists.

The United States government gives more money to corporations (socialist corporate welfare) than it does to so-called socialist welfare programs for American citizens who aren't corporate business people.

[Yuugal]

91. Thats me nt

[bikebloke]

92. Social democrat

Of the Scandinavian shade.

[Romulox]

93. I'm for taxpayer money to banks, but let's not get crazy here! nt

[Blue_Tires]

94. +1

[Dr.Phool]

95. Fuckin' A

[merkins]

97. comrade merkins is in

HooWah!