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.

[brooklynite]

1. If you have to explain the idea of Democratic Socialism...

...you've already lost the argument

[mmonk]

3. How is that if people have no idea what it is?

[brooklynite]

6. Once candidates are identified as Socialist, they poll very poorly...

Poll: Most Americans unwilling to vote for a socialist

Americans say they are more likely to support an atheist than a socialist for president next year, according to the latest Gallup survey, released Monday.

Just 47 percent of Americans would vote for a socialist if their party nominated one, while 50 percent said they would not, while 58 percent said they would have no problem voting for an atheist in their party.

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/poll-voters-socialist-atheist-catholic-119273

For better or worse, voters frequently vote for candidates who are inconsistent with the policies they support.

[brooklynite]

8. Why would I do that?

I have no problem with any of Bernie's issues; it's because of articles like this however that I'm unconvinced he's electable in a national General Election. I've also said that, notwithstanding my preference for Hillary Clinton, I'll work like hell to get him elected if he's nominee.

Can I count on you to do the same for Clinton?

[JDPriestly]

10. The person who alerted on your post wins the prize for dumbest alert of the primary season.

On Wed Oct 28, 2015, 04:18 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

Hmm.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=738510

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

"Bill + Barack have been the best republican presidents this country has ever had"

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Wed Oct 28, 2015, 04:21 PM, and the Jury voted 0-7 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: This alert is a waste of time. The poster expressed an opinion -- that Bill and Barack have been the best republican presidents this country has ever had. There should be some penalty for alerting on posts like this one. This is a harassment alert and really, really unnecessary on DU. Shame on the alerter.
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Oh for gawds sakes...this was reported more for the Hill comments then for the alert. Get thicker skin.
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: The criticism might be a bit hyperbolic, but it's not offensive in any way.
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: The poster is expressing their opinion. No big deal.
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: itchy trigger finger with the alert button...

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

A unanimous jury. I hope the person who alerted on this post understands that DU is a discussion forum in which all kinds of points of view are represented. If you want just a Hillary point of view, go to the Hillary website or a Hillary discussion group. Same for Bernie.

Please don't alert on posts just because you disagree with the point of view of the author of the post. That defeats the purpose of a free discussion site.

[ColesCountyDem]

11. ...

[JDPriestly]

12. While I'm at it, I will answer your post. No. I will not vote for Hillary Clinton.

She represents the corruption in the Democratic Party.

I will not vote for Hillary.

[JDPriestly]

14. I'm looking forward to a day when, once a candidate is viewed as strongly supported by the

oligarchs, that candidate will lose.

That day will come. The American people just have to get impoverished a tad more, and we will definitely be there. We may already be there.

The TPP will definitely push Americans over the top because it will impoverish us even more than we are now.

I oppose Hillary because I oppose the corruption in our system and in our Democratic Party.

[Rose Siding]

17. What if the oligarchs come out against a candidate?

This snip is from today's WSJ-

A collection of top GOP operatives, financed by prominent Republican donors, is launching two new groups to take aim at Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton.

The groups—Future45, a super PAC, and 45Committee, an issue-advocacy organization—will be bankrolled by some of the biggest donors to Republican candidates and causes, including hedge-fund billionaires Ken Griffin and Paul Singer and the family of TD Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts. Ron Weiser, a former finance chairman at the Republican National Committee, will serve as chairman of Future45, heading up the group’s fundraising efforts.

“There’s a lot more certainty in the Democratic field,” said Brian Walsh, president of Future45. “She is the clear favorite to be the next Democratic nominee, so she is now the focus,” Mr. Walsh continued. “Her integrity, her honesty, her judgment and her performance will be litigated more thoroughly moving forward.”

The groups say their goal is to complement work already being done by outside organizations that back Republican candidates, including American Crossroads, America Rising and entities founded by billionaire industrialists Charles and David Koch.
http://www.hillarymen.com/latest/gop-billionaires-fund-new-anti-hillary-group?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=socialnetwork

[WillyT]

2. K & R !!!

Thank you for that.

[liberal_at_heart]

4. Thanks for the heads up. I will definitely check that out.

[liberal_at_heart]

13. I'm checking out the Democratic Socialist website now. I'm looking for websites I'll be able to

visit IF Hillary wins the nomination. I will still be here on DU, but I probably will be spending less time here that is for sure. So, I need to find some other websites I can play on that will allow me to say the things I want to say.