Bernie Sanders — socialist or democratic socialist?

[Uncle Joe]

Experts told us that that’s because the word itself has evolved, "untethered from its original meaning," said Samuel Goldman, who studies the history and philosophy of political thought at George Washington University. The millennials and Gen-Xers who are more open to socialism aren’t associating it with a state-controlled economy. Rather than Soviet-style governing, they think of and admire Nordic models of living.

These policies include "strong labor rights, progressive taxation, a robust array of public goods like child care, health care, and higher education," all advocated by Sanders, said Schwartz. With these positions, Sanders is technically a social democrat — he isn’t calling for a red revolution, just "a way of making capitalism humane," according to Peter Dreier, a leftist political theorist at Occidental College. So he’s not really a socialist, at least by the strict definition of the word.

(snip)

Given the contemporary right’s continued usage of the word, Sanders championing the label has an aspirational quality, experts said.

"If you allow the right to control the term, that limits what type of reform you can achieve. If you allow the right to define it as totally un-American, it takes it off of any agenda for reform," said Schwartz.

(snip)

"In a way, Sanders is reclaiming a term that was used discredit his political ancestors," Goldman said. "Conservatives argued that minimum wage laws and Medicare were socialist measures. In effect, Sanders is saying: ‘So what if they were?’ "

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2015/aug/26/bernie-sanders-socialist-or-democratic-socialist/

[DinahMoeHum]

1. How about "social democrat"

just like in Europe?

[left-of-center2012]

2. Leave it to the GOP

They'll equate Socialism with Communism and Sanders with Stalin.

[Uncle Joe]

3. I wasn't totally enthralled with this article but I do like the way,

they clarified the term and I believe will do so in the future.

Lifting up the veil of ignorance is the first step toward enlightenment, at least that's what I believe Yoda would say.

[left-of-center2012]

4. "... that's what I believe Yoda would say."

"Veil lifting, you must"

[dionysus]

5. he's not a textbook socialist... he's not calling for pure socialism. no system in any notable

country is pure.

the capitalist USA has many socialistic aspects; social security, VA, ect.

and Sweden, often called socialist by the RW, has plenty of capitalism too. you can own companies and stuff and even get rich!

a dem socialist pretty much mean in-control, fairly regulated capitalism, and some socialist things like safety nets and state sponsoned education and health care.. the horror! the... horror...

[Uncle Joe]

6. I agree, the military, post office, fire departments and more are socialist. n/t

[dionysus]

7. socialist these days is a code word for supporting the social safety net and programs that help

citizens in need...

[Uncle Joe]

8. I agree, but more than that, the needy, weak and poor are demonized while

the mega-rich are exalted.

[dionysus]

9. also true.

[Motown_Johnny]

10. They will call any (D) nominee a Socialist.

We may as well have a nominee who knows how to own the term.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

11. Pigeon holes are for pigeons.

Not for humans who can choose for themselves what defines them.

[RobertEarl]

12. He'll cram it down their throats

...and make them choke on the words.

Don't they know we all are quite nourished by our democratic socialism that provides all these goodies that everyone gets to use equally?