The Naked Truth/Jamala Rogers
Who’s Afraid of Democratic Socialists?
Five Democratic Socialist of America candidates will be on the Wisconsin ballot on August 11. The five join dozens of other DSA candidates on ballots across the country. Attempts by the status quo by both political parties to “boogify” their affiliation with socialism don’t seem to be working. Zohran Mamdani’s rise to be mayor of the largest city in the U.S. is verifiable proof that DSA-backed candidates can get the support of voters.
For years, the labels of socialism and communist could ruin careers, end organizations and even result in suicides. (Who remembers the anti-communist witch hunts by Wisconsin Senator Joe McCarthy?) Those two boogeys have been muted but not completely silenced in these contemporary times. Younger
generations are searching for new ways to participate in the electoral process as one means to transform society. Polls have confirmed that over 60 percent of young people aged 18-29 years old are favorable to socialism. While they may not all understand or agree what socialism is, they probably all agree that capitalism is not working for them or their families. Young people are not afraid of the concepts and are eager to get involved in any movement that is fearless in the face of fascism.
For at least the last twenty years, loyal supporters of the Democratic Party have urged, demanded and begged the party to be more responsive to its base, and to fight, fight, fight for them. Democrats have gotten comfortable, lazy, and rich. The party has a progressive-sounding platform but has failed to have a winning national strategy. The Republicans have been running circles around the Dems, forcing them to lose legislative and judicial ground. The Dems have not put a priority on developing candidates and educating the base. They have also been resistant to new blood, like the Justice Democrats.
The Democratic elites were like deer in headlights with MAGA’s Project 2025 and have yet to fully recover. It has been the protests by millions when it was clear that The People would have to stop the oligarchy and his minions. Voters have made examples of some incumbent Democrats to make it clear that they want a party who will stand up to the wanna-be king and fight for working families. U.S. Representatives Adriano Espaillat. Al Green, Dan Goldman, and Diana DeGette all felt the sting of defeat. Replacement of dead-beat elected officials is also trickling down to local races.
The DSA is not a political party, but it has been articulating a vision that resonates with many people right about now. Now that families are challenged with the basic necessities such as food, housing and healthcare. Now that people are losing civil rights. Proponents believe that the government must meet the needs of its citizens, not be the tool of billionaires. They believe that people should have an active role in their society, whatever their educational, social or economic status is. This country has strayed a long way from this path.
Next month, eyes will be on Wisconsin. If elected, Francesca Hong will become the country's first democratic socialist governor. DSA candidates are proving their electoral victories were not flukes. Mayor Mamdani is proving that one can effectively use the power of their office to fight for affordability — and win. If these candidates can avoid the pull of the existing political swamp, we can expect to see more DSA candidates running and winning. Without the fear of transformative change, the United States can use its 250th anniversary to reset as a diverse, inclusive and democratic society.