The word Socialist should be embraced in American poltics

AmericanErrorist

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Tue May-24-05 01:36 AM
Original message

The word Socialist should be embraced in American poltics

Look at the Socialist International at http://www.socialistinternational.org or the Democratic Socialists of America at http://www.dsausa.org. They are nothing more than lobbies for liberal/progressivism. If they can use that word without any problems, then why can the American mainstream left?

The Cold War is over.

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GRLMGC

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Tue May-24-05 01:43 AM
Response to Original message

1. Because people will automatically think "Commies!"

God, I've even seen someone here on DU accuse people of communism, though he was probably a troll. I consider myself a socialist democrat so I don't have a problem with the term but it still has a negative connotation. Communism; it's never even existed. I wish people would get over that.

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all.of.me

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Tue May-24-05 08:47 AM
Response to Reply #1

4. in my mind...

communism has always meant community, and since i was a kid, i have never understood how communism got to be a bad word!

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OneBlueSky

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Tue May-24-05 02:25 AM
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2. politically, it would make far more sense to embrace . . .

the word "populist" rather than "socialist" . . . your average, uninformed, middle-of-the-road voter can identify with populist ("hey, I'm a people!") a whole lot easier than they can socialist ("hey, I ain't one of THEM!) . . .

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NYC2099

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Tue May-24-05 08:04 AM
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3. I like populist as well as opposed to socialist

You would get a lot more moderates as well.

The word socialist leaves a bad taste in my mouth since it reminds me that the Nazi Party called itself the 'National Socialist German Workers Party' (NSDAP).

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AmericanErrorist

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Tue May-24-05 09:22 AM
Response to Reply #3

5. Take back populist from

Pat Buchanan. Go Jim Hightower Go!

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kiki

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Tue May-24-05 09:33 AM
Response to Reply #5

6. "Populism" is a mixed bag at best...

Edited on Tue May-24-05 09:33 AM by kiki

Anyone can claim that they're "giving the people what they want".

Peron, Mussolini and Le Pen are regarded as populists. Berlusconi's style of "leadership" has been called "post-modern populism".

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deutsey

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Tue May-24-05 09:43 AM
Response to Original message

7. Please read "The Long Detour"

http://www.thelongdetour.com/

Very good, readable overview of the history of socialism in America, how it was derailed by the Bolshevik Revolution, and how it might re-emerge in America today.

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