This is a bit of an irrational probability for me. But now is a reasonable time to, if required, be a bit irrational. Goodness knows that it is going to be a long one, this race. No fact checking required on this diary, because it is just me thinking "out loud" as it were. If you know me, you will know that talking out loud is not something I generally shy away from.
I will also, at this immensely premature phase ask some potentially impertinent questions. I would like some dependable answers to those questions. If you'd like to know what the questions herein presented might be, I invite you to follow me below the soon to be eliminated(?) sqiggledoodlethingey fold.
At the risk of limiting my own potential here, I will probably be heavily invested (time and energy wise, at least) in some political candidate/campaign for President in the 2016 General Election in the United States--whether that some particular candidate/campaign likes it or not. But I digress.
I am not most likely, despite personal and historical affiliations, going to be much in favor of Senator Secretary, umm I mean First Lady Hillary Clinton in this race. At this particular moment, she would be a more difficult candidate for me to support in 2016. More on that as it develops. I must, however leave myself the option of being convinced otherwise--so I do. But it will take more convincing than I believe most politicos have in them to commit to the task. I do include myself in that group--solely and exclusively for the limited purposes described herein.
So, the first question.
I would truly appreciate it if someone beside the Google or the Wikipedia could enlighten me in 2016 terms on this one. (That's a specific measurement of the accuracy of answers received, in re evaluation.)
What actually IS a Democratic Socialist?
Of course, my historical brain immediately sings out: The National Democratic Socialist Party (NDSP). History buffs amongst us will, as did I, almost immediately transmogrify that into it's more historically relevant, German context. Not fair, or is it?
I've put the question to Bernie. I await his response. I'll let you know, but in the interim any enlightenment I may receive here would be gratefully appreciated. I have some definitions already. I'm not sure how they square with Bernie, reality, or each other.
Wikipedia (via the Google):
"Democratic socialism is a political ideology advocating a democratic political system alongside a socialist economic system, involving a combination of political democracy with social ownership of the means of production."
From the DSA website:
"At the root of our socialism is a profound commitment to democracy, as means and end. As we are unlikely to see an immediate end to capitalism tomorrow, DSA fights for reforms today that will weaken the power of corporations and increase the power of working people. For example, we support reforms that:
* decrease the influence of money in politics
* empower ordinary people in workplaces and the economy
* restructure gender and cultural relationships to be more equitable."
I notice that Gloria Steinem, Delores Huerta and Cornell West are honorary Chairs of this DSA organization. Other relevant names are included, as well.
Social justice seems to be high on the agenda of DSA. So does anti-capitalism. I would love to get some input as to definitions here.
DSA also seems rather devoted to its youth organization, and even has a planned conference this year in....Atlanta. My brain is struggling, but may get wrapped around that mental image eventually.
In a recent speech in Keene, New Hampshire which was very well attended, and in an even more recent breakfast sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor, Senator Sanders spoke and answered questions in mutual dialogue with reporters, bloggers, and other "journalists".
High on the list of his speaking points were the three bullet points listed above. When asked (first question) by a journalist as to whether or not he was a Democratic Socialist, Bernie said that, from his first political moment he has self-identified as an Independent who has always caucused with the Democrats in both House and Senate.He also said that as to his personal views, he was a Democratic Socialist. That spawned my first question.
I find much of what Senator Sanders has to say is in agreement with my own thinking and political grounding. I'm just not very certain as to where I draw the line. At this premature juncture, defining the questions any campaign should address is a strenuous and somewhat risky endeavor.
He is, I believe (and have said for a very long time) correct when he says that the issues of concern to most Americans are not being addressed by politicians or the media. The concerns he noted in the Keene, NH speech and the Monitor breakfast are (according to Sanders) concerns the majority of Americans agree upon. These are the legitimate concerns of a majority of Americans, and the MSM is ignoring them.
I am not at all certain that the perspective he may have squares with the perspective those many Americans would share. He is, I believe, correct when he says that we should have open, honest and transparent debate about these (and other) concerns. If his candidacy yielded those debates, it would be well worth the effort required to mount a legitimate and reasonable campaign for the Presidency.
Imagine a line drawn, right there. Regarding solutions, he nor his campaign have said much yet. Having a venue to speak our concerns is a good and important thing as citizen. Sixty tree percent of American registered voters showed their sense of disenfranchisement by staying home (not voting) in the last election. Standing behind a candidate whose political ideology is potentially in stark contrast to my own, however is something else again.
Senator Sanders is perfectly willing to have those debates, and is also perfectly willing to stand on his political history in the process. He voted against the war in Iraq. He voted against intervention in Syria, against NAFTA, CAFTA, full trade status with China. He has been a leading voice against TPP. He is leading the Senate to create an Amendment to overturn Citizens United, and says that, as President he WILL have a litmus test for potential nominees (i.e. the overturning of same).
These are just a few highlights of a long list. I have no doubt that what he stated openly and publicly in both venues, Bernie absolutely believes. "We have potentially insurmountable problems in the United States of America today. I am not willing to give up, or not at least try. I don't believe the vast majority of Americans are unwilling, either."
How American a value is that, I ask? Free public education. Single payer, universal healthcare. Equity and equality for women. Self determination for all. Closing loopholes for corporations who pay $0.00 in taxes on billions in profit. Paid (mandatory?) vacation for all workers. An immediate Federal Minimum Wage of not less than $15/hr.
Like I say it is a long, and at least for me (and I presume this particular audience) well known list. Should capitalism in America be simply done away with? DSA seems to think so.
Speaking the truth, while at the same time singing a tune Americans wish to hear is truly dancing on the sharpest edge of a two-sided sword. At what price the solution? And what will the proposed solutions entail?
Senator Sanders has (as have all present or potential Democratic Party candidates) been told that any public debate outside the established series of debates among Democratic candidates will eliminate said candidate from said Democratic debates (really, Debbie?). This could be a potential deal breaker for the Sanders campaign, at least within the Democratic tent. I understand that. Bernie wants "mixed" debates, with candidates from both parties on the same stage. Can you just imagine? I'd buy stock in popcorn for that.
He is correct, I think, in one thing. Americans don't just want to have these discussions. We need them, and are more and more daily requiring them. With actual unemployment at or above 17%, with 1 percent of the American work force receiving 99% of the newly earned wealth in America today, with crime and healthcare and...., yes we do need and should require these conversations, from the courthouse to the White House.
Senator Sanders' campaign could be an important catalyst to that end. I'm for the debate. That's "neat to know" reality. But what exactly IS a Democratic Socialist, and how would such a candidate's solutions look in three dimensions? "Scrapping the cap" on Medicare and Social Security contributions would insure the liquidity of the now multi-trillions of dollars liquidity of the fund (no, it is NOT broke!) and is one way to safeguard and secure Social Security for decades into the future.
Senator Sanders, as Ranking Member on the Senate's Finance Committee puts him in a particularly expert position on the proposed (and recently approved) Republican Budget Proposals. Eliminating public education, housing, healthcare, and the social safety net feature highly in that Budget proposal. No Republican candidate has walked away from it. Sanders outright rejects it. As yet, Hillary Clinton's view? Crickets. The Walton family has contributed many hundreds of millions of dollars in activities designed to eliminate public education. The Koch brothers have committed more money to the 2016 presidential race than either of the two principal political parties will spend.
Finally, according to Sanders, Democrats have made many serious gaffes in the recent past. First among them, he would tell you, is the refusal to have a current 50 state strategy. As a resident Tennessean, I simply could not agree more. That Howard Dean would join his campaign staff.... Don't harsh on my dreams.
Sanders has a gravitas with the American people because he speaks what the majority of us would love to believe is genuine regard for us, as citizen--for America, and for truth besides. I never, in my entire life, believed that President Ronald Reagan publicly uttered one single word he did not personally believe to be true.
I believe the same for Bernie Sanders, Independent Senator from Vermont. I"m not going to make the same mistake again if I can help it. As an American, as a Senator, and as a decent, good man, I believe Bernie Sanders stands very tall, indeed among several legitimate candidates to hold the highest office in this land.
I'm not nearly so sure of what a Democratic Socialist (caucusing with the Democrats) would do in that position. Any help? I'd appreciate it.