on the subject of socialism/communism

[BayCityProgressive]

I myself agree with many aspects of socialism/communism and I am a member of the Democratic Party. I am wondering if there are others here with similar political positions? I don't really agree with a lot of what the DLC Democrats do but they are still better than the Republicans. Certain Democrats like Kucinich, Kennedy,Pelosi, and Waters have some socialistic ideas. I don't join any socialist/communist third parties because I do not agree with ALL of their ideas and most of the groups out there are either useless or cult like. I am a major supporter of a living wage, universal healthcare, nationalized energy, and housing for all among other things. it seems to me like the party is being pulled in two directions..in one by the far left like myself and the other from the DLC.

[Faygo Kid]

1. Socialism/Communism are not the same things.

Best take a look at some history. We have implemented some socialist ideas, and are better for it. Communism is totalitarianism. Capitalism is not evil; just needs to be reined in (hello, FDR). I am not sure what your point is. The DLC philosophy is why we lost in 2002; as Harry Truman said, Give the people the choice between a Republican and a Democrat pretending to be a Republican, and they will take the Republican every time.

[many a good man]

2. I'm for finding the right mix

A mature society needs to find the right mix of public/private solutions to improve society for all. The left wing in this country has never been a serious player in national politics and we have suffered because of it. We are now falling rapidly behind other advanced social democracies in quality of life issues. We used to be able to provide enough workers a "satisfactory" standard of living due to our immense wealth, but now we are failing. At some point the anesthesia of consumerism and entertainment will wear off for a critical mass of the populace and new solutions will be demanded.

[salib]

3. Try these guys

http://www.dsausa.org/

[durutti]

4. Democratic Socialists of America

http://www.dsausa.org

[bigbillhaywood]

5. Peculiarity of American Politics

I myself am sympathethic (more or less) to what is known as libertarian socialism (anti-big gov't and big corporate power). But to your point, I'm finding more and more as I learn about other countries and meet people from other countries, that things that are considered far-left here (like universal healthcare, nationalized energy, even criticism of Israel) are considered mildly liberal in the rest of the world. And I fear it's been getting worse over time as the country moves farther and farther right. No one would've called Clinton a liberal 20 yrs. ago-- he would have been considered an extremely conservative Democrat.