Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The Democrats’ Socialist Surge
Wall Street Journal ^ | August 12, 2015 | JASON L. RILEY

Posted on 08/12/2015 6:28:54 AM PDT by reaganaut1

People who follow politics probably know that Bernie Sanders, the U.S. senator from Vermont who is challenging Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination, is a socialist. Whether they give a fig is a separate matter, which may tell you something about today’s Democrats.

Mr. Sanders is currently drawing the largest crowds of any candidate in either party. On Monday, he drew a crowd his campaign estimated at 27,500 to the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, including those in an overflow area outside, watching on giant video screens. Over the weekend, 28,000 people turned out to see him in Portland, Ore., and a campaign stop in Seattle pulled 15,000. The conventional wisdom is that Mr. Sanders’s bid is destined to fail. His progressive base is too white and too small for a party that places a premium on “diversity,” and the Democratic establishment has already settled on Mrs. Clinton.

All true, perhaps. The disruption of his Seattle appearance by “Black Lives Matter” protesters suggests that challenges lie ahead for him. But it is also true that no one is saying Bernie Sanders can’t win because America isn’t ready to elect an avowed socialist as president, which might have been the case not too long ago.

Mr. Sanders, a New York City native, moved to Vermont in 1968 after becoming involved with the radical left while attending the University of Chicago. He first ran for Senate in 1972 as the candidate of the socialist Liberty Union Party and garnered just 2% of the vote. He lost a few more statewide races, and then eked out a 10-vote victory in 1981 to become mayor of Burlington. In 1990, running as an independent, he became only the third socialist ever elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Front Page News; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2016election; 3birdsofafeather; bernie2016; berniesocialist; communism; democrats; demssocialist; progressivism; socialism
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041 next last
To: TomGuy
Well, he is cherry-picking where his appearances are taking place, but the point stands because a GOP challenger (if it is Bush or his like) would probably be too scared to call Sanders a socialist during the campaign.
21 posted on 08/12/2015 7:34:24 AM PDT by Major Matt Mason ("Journalism is dead. All news is suspect." - Noamie)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Opinionated Blowhard

Sounds all wonderful, but the truth or irony is that it is the greedy rich that most of these socialist work for. Sanders might have more honesty than most of the left-wing politicians, according to some, but his ideology is still wrong.

Crony Socialism/Capitalism by any other name is still cronyism.


22 posted on 08/12/2015 7:35:28 AM PDT by FreeAtlanta (Restore Liberty!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: okie01
Yes that's true, locked in place in food riots as in Venezuela where mobs are raiding super markets they are so hungry NOW . Venezuela is what the media wants for the USA
23 posted on 08/12/2015 7:37:08 AM PDT by Democrat_media (obamatrade = millions more 3rd world socialist immigrants)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut1

Article is spot-on.

Sanders is drawing large crowds because the country has moved sharply to the left over the past decade. We do indeed seem poised to vote in Western European-style Social Democracy.

Everytime I think I may be wrong about that another mind-bending poll on the views of Millenials comes out.


24 posted on 08/12/2015 7:43:27 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Democrat_media
Look Socialism is just slavery with a pretty face
A slave is when you are owned by someone or something... now some slave master are harsh to their property and some slave master treat their properly somewhat well....

Is Socialism you become state property and hope for a good master

25 posted on 08/12/2015 7:46:19 AM PDT by tophat9000 (SCOTUS=News peak)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut1

There have not been any Democrats in the Bolshecratic Party since McGovern. To find a true Democrat you have to find people with RINO after their name.


26 posted on 08/12/2015 8:01:26 AM PDT by depressed in 06 (America conceived in liberty, dies in slavery.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Uncle Miltie

Hillary’s fat @zz waddles into the WH in 2017. Comrade Bernie gets sent to the Old Communists’ Home (there really is such a place).

Hillary’s tentacles are everywhere. The TV was going “Bzzz, bzzz, bzzz, Trey Gowdy, bzz, bzz, bzz...” Like he ever made any difference.

Going dark & going Galt seems to be the only way to go.


27 posted on 08/12/2015 8:05:24 AM PDT by elcid1970 ("The Second Amendment is more important than Islam.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut1

The Communsist party USA has backed the dem candidate for several years now. I personality think it’s time to drop the socialist label.


28 posted on 08/12/2015 8:06:51 AM PDT by right way right (May we remain sober over mere men, for God really is our only true hope.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut1
The GOPe and it's donor class better start paying attention.

If they force conservatives to abandon them, we'll ensure Sanders and his ilk are elected.

One of their FIRST acts will probably be to institute a Wealth Tax...say 25% of all assets.

Annually.

29 posted on 08/12/2015 8:10:41 AM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18 - Be The Leaderless Resistance)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: tophat9000
Yes exactly. It's amazing to me that all the cretins in the media want socialism. And also so many liberals t buy the media lies and also want socialism.

It's just common sense. If you own a house outright and no taxes are taken on it then you can do what you want to with that house to further your goals. ditto with 1 million $ in the bank. amazing to me that liberals/democrats want to be slaves of some government goon/bureaucrat

the media hides from everyone that anyone can be a millionaire easily with mutual funds and compounded interests. If you save $750 per month in 31 years that will be a million dollars. who can't do that? that's just with a 7.5% rate of return which is conservative for mutual funds.

Financial Independence is freedom. with a few houses owned and a million $ in the bank you have reached financial independence and that should be everyone's goal. the media doesn't tell you this but the opposite to distract and keep us small and dependent on the government. I'm just touching on this off the top of my head.but i discovered so much that the media is doing to us to destroy us.

30 posted on 08/12/2015 8:17:10 AM PDT by Democrat_media (obamatrade = millions more 3rd world socialist immigrants)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut1

The attraction to socialism is like a buffet line. Almost everyone thinks they will get more out of it then they will put in...never realizing that they, themselves, are on the menu.


31 posted on 08/12/2015 8:50:33 AM PDT by VRW Conspirator (American Jobs for American Workers)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut1
I hear a lot of young people are getting behind him because they hear the words "free college".

I never understand the concept of socialism and free college.

What is the point of getting educated and getting a great job if you are going to pay all your earnings to the government anyway? To stoke your own ego? Or do they even think it through?

32 posted on 08/12/2015 9:12:15 AM PDT by riri (Obama's Amerika--Not a fun place.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut1

Wow. I just did a google on 10 planks communist manifesto implemented in us and got some real interesting links.

Basically, here in U.S., we have implemented all 10 planks, by definition - we are communist.

Here a couple of links which show which government agencies we have created to implement each plank. Quite an eye opener.

http://www.voicesofliberty.com/article/10-communist-manifesto-planks-of-the-us-government/

http://www.uhuh.com/nwo/communism/10planks.htm


33 posted on 08/12/2015 9:27:49 AM PDT by ForYourChildren (Christian Education [ RomanRoadsMedia.com - Classical Christian Approach to Homeschool ])
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut1

BFLR


34 posted on 08/12/2015 9:30:13 AM PDT by rockinqsranch ((Dems, Libs, Socialists, call 'em what you will. They ALL have fairies livin' in their trees.))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Buckeye McFrog
Do not overlook that Sanders appears before friendly venues like Seattle Portland and LA, three anchors of the Left Coast, as well as the socialistically inclined farm country of the Great Plains midwest.

These are not representative of the whole country.

35 posted on 08/12/2015 9:33:37 AM PDT by hinckley buzzard (Matthews and)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: Democrat_media
Well look at the total real global history of slavery/ indentured servitude(not the small window of US slavery the left looks at)

If you were poor or destitute people would willing sell themself in to slavery or servitude... you became a bond servant... and the master provide to you

We decide to ban people selling themselves in to private servitude to another person..but oddly not selling yourself to the state

Socialism Communism is just that, you sell you self in the bondage to the state because you think that your best deal....

But it worse because if it is by vote....your not selling your self... other are selling you to the state against your will... in to permant bondage that you as and individual have no control of..

the state is the master ....they decide "each according to their ability and each according to their needs"......how is the any different then the master on the plantation...the master decided your ability and your needs...

36 posted on 08/12/2015 10:20:56 AM PDT by tophat9000 (SCOTUS=News peak)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: TomGuy

A socialist drawing those kinds of crowds in California is mildly expected. In Los Angeles it’s a forgone conclusion.

Let him spend time in California and NY. Those states are already lost causes.


37 posted on 08/12/2015 10:27:31 AM PDT by Personal Responsibility (Trump campaign ad: Trump, in his Apprentice chair, saying "America, you're hired")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: ThePatriotsFlag

Don’t worry if you can’t tell the difference between a Dem and a Socialist. The head of the Democrat party can’t do it either:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2015/08/02/leader_of_democratic_party_again_wont_explain_difference_between_democrats_and_socialists.html


38 posted on 08/12/2015 10:28:46 AM PDT by Personal Responsibility (Trump campaign ad: Trump, in his Apprentice chair, saying "America, you're hired")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: riri

They just hear the word “free” and say “yeah man, the government has all billions of dollars. Why should we have to pay for college. They should pay for us to go to college! Hell, they can always just print more money!”

The 2nd step of “free” (where the money to pay the colleges actually comes from) eludes them, either because they aren’t told about it or don’t care to think about it


39 posted on 08/12/2015 10:34:57 AM PDT by Personal Responsibility (Trump campaign ad: Trump, in his Apprentice chair, saying "America, you're hired")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: Personal Responsibility

I’m afraid that many are graduating from universities without ever learning the differrence that the only thing that gives money value is when someone works for it. They seem to think that somehow just passing it to someone creates the value.


40 posted on 08/13/2015 10:15:18 AM PDT by RipSawyer (Racism is racism, regardless of the race of the racist.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson