2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: What I'd like to say to anyone who likes Bernie best but is afraid he's unelectable... [View all]TexasBushwhacker
(20,336 posts)for Bernie. We need to OWN the concept of Democratic Socialism. Wear a button or shirt that says "Ask me about Democratic Socialism." We need to have pamplets that lay it all out, about how it helps EVERYBODY.
Yes, it even helps the wealthy. How does it help the wealthy? Spending on infrastructure means contracts for engineering and construction companies. More and better paying jobs means people have more disposable income to spend and invest (a boon to Wall Street!)' Lifting millions out of poverty means people buying homes and cars. Lifting more people into the middle class means less spending on EEOC, food stamps, etc. Truly universal health insurance means health issues are treated more quickly, consistently, with less reliance on expensive emergency rooms. It means fewer people become disabled or die too young from manageable diseases like diabetes. More people lifted into the middle class means more pay federal income taxes.
We need to obliterate the myth that the wealthy have to "suffer" in order for the rest of us to thrive. That assumes that the economic pie is finite. It isn't. The pie can GROW, with more for everyone. Trickle down economics doesn't work, but trickle UP does. We all do better when WE ALL DO BETTER.