democratic socialism
"Democratic socialism" is just a red herring to make it acceptable to those that don't know anything about it or socialism. The end goal is exactly the same thing. Doing away with capitalism etc and becoming entirely socialist. It takes very little research to see that's the case and the more radical side of Bernie's supporters don't exactly hide that.
Why people think capitalism is so bad is beyond me. The country wouldn't be the economic power house it is without it. China. Russia. They wouldn't embrace it if it wasn't the way to grow their economies and "in theory at least", build a better more prosperous future for their people. There wouldn't be the money there that they now want to spend. It's just ludicrous. It's wall street that's one of the primary issue with it's strangle hold on how companies run themselves and the shit they do. It's the the lack of rules, regulations and the like that allows those at the head of those companies to abuse the system. But it's not capitalism itself. Capitalism is not the cause of the problems. But whatever. People need to blame something and those seeking power will use it if they can get away with it. None of them seem to actually give a shit about the future of the country. The left was all over Trump, Banon etc for wanting to "tear it all down" or whatever that phrase was... but they're willing to embrace Bernie's message. Same message. Just from different sides.. Turn a blind eye to the issues as long as it's "your guy". Don't look beyond your nose and play out the potential scenarios and ramifications.. Sounds familiar.
Would an openly socialist Sanders presidency be the end of The Great American Experiment?
Gotta disagree with you guys. Socialism and Capitalism are opposite ends of a spectrum that every government is on, including America.
Socialism without Capitalism, or Capitalism without Socialism are equally extreme.
Socialism is just a term that refers to a system where the responsibility of producing and distributing services or things is shared by a group of people (tax payers). Public libraries, hospitals, NASA, the FDA, Public Schools, Highways, Emergency Responders are all low level socialist in that they are at least partially funded by the taxes we are all responsible for paying. Of course these government funded programs are also Capitalist in that private businesses are able to compete for government contracts. Own the best private business and you'll make the most money.
I think you assumed I look at things as one or the other. No. The US is neither capitalistic or socialist. It's a balance of the two and "everyone" wants that. The only disagreement is how much of both. But that's a lot different than the core beliefs of the various socialists. The socialist end goal is the same, just different routes to get there. The real issue today is that the masses hear "socialist" and they think it means social programs and so turn a blind eye to anything else.
The 'Socialist Democrats' just want to pull the country a little bit closer to Socialism on the Socialist ---- Capitalist spectrum.
Seriously dude? You really need to go do some research and listen to some of the more hardcore Bernie supporters. And maybe some history as well where the masses turned a blind eye to certain messages thinking.. oh no. that could never happen.. or ... they say X but they really mean Y.
Trump supporters are willing to let him get away with fucking over the country and rule of law as long as he builds the wall, fights the left and the media etc etc etc. But they're passive for the most part. More talk than action. They're older and "lazy". But they believe in the country and at least support the idea of the constitution.
Bernie's core supporters are young, energized, are active and they want "revolution" and that includes both sorts. They include all forms of socialism including communism. They are ready to push politicians hard to implement what they want. The people in the USSR did not wake up one day and decide to be communist. It was basically fighting amongst groups with different socialist ideal and the clamp down in the aftermath to hold power by the winner. The people of Germany were promised all sorts of things to make their lives better and make them proud of their country again and they turned a blind eye to the negative.
Here's a couple samples of what some have said to me over the last week.
If the framers could revolt against the corruption of their day then so to can the people of this day revolt against the corruption of their ruling class. To hell with the weak who seek solace in obedience to feckless masters.
If the constitution is standing in the way of the things it claims that it stands for then it is time for it to be changed or negated. We do not today have to follow the rules set in place nearly three centuries ago by people who claimed they were creating equality while owning slaves and women as property. We can and should have rules for our time and our problems that recognize the full spectrum of humanity. It is clear to anyone aware and willing to acknowledge the reality before them that the rules are not working to equalize society for everyone but rather maximizing the benefit to some at the expense of others..
And that is what it's going to take for Bernie to beat Trump. There's no time to play footsie. I'm almost sure the reason you feel the way you do like other Bernie haters is because your candidate didn't cut the mustard. I bet you hate AOC as well. Well good, because we need to get people like you (Do-Nothing-Democrats) out of the way so we can at least get things actually done in this God awful country.
I love how everyone likes to stick me in a box so they can just not argue a point. What's even funny about the one above is I had made a point of saying it's not Bernie but his supports and yet he still labeled me a Bernie hater. The delusion and fanaticism between Trump and Bernie supporters is exactly the same. But core Bernie supporters are different. They want to dismantle core aspects of the country. Just look at how the far left (which is where the Bernie supporters reside), cry out about "hate" speech or "fake news" and the like and demand the politicians and corporations do something about it. The spineless cowardly politicians show that Freedom of speech means nothing to them if it will get them votes. The corporations are so spineless and worried about bad press they bend over and do what the politicians and vocal minority (and the mindless mob that follows along) wants them to do and they censor people. God forbid they censor people in China though. Just our own people. Cause... well lets just ignore that.
But yep. No need to be worried at all cause I'm sure the politicians will do the right thing. We see that every single day. Yep.