Socialism.
Or more precisely Democratic Socialism, as Bernie puts it -- a European form of Governing, that many say the U.S. has already taken more than a few pages from.
Get ready to explain the term, to the uninitiated.
Because the attacks on the "Socialist" are coming ... you can bet Wall Street's last dollar on that one.
Well here is a very good definition of what it means to be a "Democratic Socialist," from the man claiming the society-strengthening label himself:
Bernie described “democratic socialism” in this way back in 2006:
“I think [democratic socialism] means the government has got to play a very important role in making sure that
as a right of citizenship all of our people have healthcare;
that as a right, all of our kids, regardless of income, have quality childcare,
are able to go to college without going deeply into debt;
that it means we do not allow large corporations and moneyed interests to destroy our environment;
that we create a government in which it is not dominated by big money interest.
I mean, to me, it means democracy, frankly. That’s all it means.”
That quote was found by the brand new citizen-built, photo-packed website: feelthebern.org
They go on to draw out the novel implications of that Bernie quote, about his brand of socialism:
What is democratic socialism?
Democratic socialism seeks to effectively combine free enterprise with transparent, public programs that maintain a minimum standard of living for everyone.
[...]
Of course, the U.S. is already a democracy, and a social democracy at that, but Bernie wants to level the playing field, which is more uneven than ever before. While he doesn’t want the government to run the economy, Bernie does want the government to ensure that the economy is set up to enable as many people as possible to contribute to its healthy growth. He also wants to change industry, so that workers have more rights, healthcare and education is available to all, and we have better public infrastructure in general.
Bernie believes we need to move away from a “government of the billionaires, by the billionaires, and for the billionaires,” and invest more in social programs that help more Americans get ahead — particularly in the face of a dwindling middle-class — and in turn encourage more equitable, sustainable economic growth for the entire country.
The last person to run on similar political beliefs won the election and saved America from the Great Depression. His name was Franklin D. Roosevelt (otherwise known as FDR) and his policies — via the New Deal — are part of why he is consistently rated as one of the greatest U.S. presidents ever, alongside Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.
Wow.
If FDR were running for President NOW -- How many people do you think would vote for him -- for a modern-day FDR?
Especially, given the slow-motion erosion of human rights and workers earnings, we keep seeing in this day and age, cycle after election-cycle ...
Well, we have a eerily similar opportunity NOW, in the chance to Vote for Bernie Sanders, who more than any candidate embodies the ideals of FDR's people-first agenda.
Who knows when such a Candidate will ever dare to claim the label of "Democratic Socialism" again, if we let this very rare opportunity pass us by -- for that lack of have a defense against the one-word attacks.
"Yeah But -- Socialist, Socialist!" ... I can imagine the 'creepy voice-over ads' now.
So be ready to counter them.
And when you get a chance, bookmark (and pass-along) this cool site: feelthebern.org
You won't regret it.