Bernie would have a better chance to win if he called himself what he really is...

[We_Must_Organize]

I am a passionate supporter of senator Sanders. His authenticity, demeanor, experience and judgement make him like no other candidate - presidential or otherwise - that I've seen.
I love that Bernie "owns" the democratic socialist label. So many Democrats run from the "liberal" tag, let alone try to defend the "socialist" policies that we currently employ: roads, teachers, Medicare, social security, etc. And that is what has me worried; nominating a self-described democratic socialist will drown out everything else for the ignorant undecided voters. No one since (probably) FDR has ever defended and campaigned on the positive aspects of socialism.
When Bernie first started his campaign, I looked up "democratic socialism" and Wikipedia confirms that democratic socialists typically do believe in the public ownership of the means of production. However, "democratic capitalism"

is a political, economic and social ideology that involves the combination of a democratic political system with a capitalist economic system. It is based on a tripartite arrangement of a private sector-driven market economy based predominantly on a democratic policy, economic incentives through free markets, fiscal responsibility and a liberal moral-cultural system which encourages pluralism. This ideology supports a capitalist economy subject to control by a democratic political system that is supported by the majority.

Is this not exactly what Bernie is??? And I know that ultimately a label is just a label; it really shouldn't mean a whole lot. But I think Bernie's message would resonate with even more people if he were to refer to himself as a democratic capitalist. What do you think?

[HooptieWagon]

1. I don't care what he calls himself, I'm voting for his platform and integrity, not a name.

[kryptoniandawn]

2. Good point, but

At this point, it'd be called flip flopping.

[Gregorian]

3. Here's one way it could happen-

I recently watched a video where they talked about how that transition would take place. For example, it could begin this way: if a company is being sold, then the employees would have first right by law to purchase the business. Furthermore, there would be federal assistance available to facilitate the purchase.

I'm not hearing complaints from even the staunchest economists on this.

I'm pretty excited about this. It's a gradual shift towards public ownership.

[Fearless]

4. He does call himself what he is.

You and your ilk however call him things he's not, some of which are disrespectful, and many of which are ageist or even anti-Semitic.

[We_Must_Organize]

8. My ilk?

What the hell are you even talking about?? Did you read the post? I support senator Sanders. My question was regarding the fact that he actually is a democratic capitalist based on the fact that he doesn't support public ownership of the means of production. And I'm glad he doesn't - he's very much in support of capitalism. Just not crazy casino capitalism we have now.

[cherokeeprogressive]

11. If i had a dollar for every post that started with "I love Bernie Sanders..." I'd be fucking rich.

[We_Must_Organize]

12. What's your point?

That people love Bernie? That's pretty clear already.

[cherokeeprogressive]

14. My point is I've seen enough "I love Bernie but" posts to last a lifetime.

Bernie Sanders seems to be doing pretty well without your help.

[We_Must_Organize]

16. Wow

So, for no reason (as far as I can tell), Bernie doesn't need my "help." I didn't know that, maybe I should stop my monthly contributions. I bet Bernie would think differently.
We must look at politics differently. I thought the point was to get as many people as possible to vote for a candidate you believe in. Your way - telling supporters that a candidate a doesn't need their help - well, that is just genius. Let's all go out and tell Bernie supporters he's doing so well he no longer needs their support! Fantastic idea cherokeeprogressive! Can't believe no one thought of that before.

[cherokeeprogressive]

17. LOL. Mmmkay.

[We_Must_Organize]

18. Riveting reply

[cherokeeprogressive]

19. Few people can buck a countersunk rivet as well as I can.

[Bagsgroove]

13. hmm

Yeah, "what the hell are you even talking about" was my reaction to that post too. I guess some people find it too much trouble to read a post before they start spewing venom.

[RufusTFirefly]

5. I'm with Chomsky on this:

"Bernie Sanders is a decent, honest New Dealer."

But I believe that Bernie has been self-identifying as a democratic socialist for decades. Unlike his opponent, he doesn't change his stripes from month to month, year to year, or even from city to city.

You can quibble with the label, but he's proud of what he is and what he stands for.

So am I.

[Gregorian]

7. I have to say I think he's right, but off on an important detail.

Like I posted above, there could be a means by which employees purchase companies they work for, thus changing out of the capitalist definition. At least in the workplace. So it's really a mixture. And economies are all experiments. This one has not gone so well for the people.

So starting out, Naom is right, but where it most likely will go will be to what Bernie is already calling himself. I'm enjoying this.

[Live and Learn]

6. He calls himself Bernie Sanders. Why the need for labels? nt

[We_Must_Organize]

9. I wish labels didn't matter

But they do. I'm not saying he should change now. I'm just saying if Bernie had always called himself a democratic capitalist he would have more support than he does. It's incredibly sad that labels matter so much - I competely agree with you on that.

[Bagsgroove]

10. Labels

I don't think the terms "socialist" and "capitalist" are very useful in describing either a person or a country's economic system as a whole. There is no socialist country in the world, and there is no capitalist country in the world. The countries we in the U.S. usually think of as "socialist" -- think Finland or Norway -- do have significant private, for profit business sectors. Countries we usually think of as "capitalist" -- ourselves, primarily -- do have significant public ownership of resources and services (think the National Park Service, Medicare, etc.)

Socialist or capitalist may be useful terms in describing a particular policy or sector of an economy, but nobody that I know of (including Bernie on the "socialist" side, or say, Trump on the "capitalist" side) is advocating either the government takeover of Apple Computer, or selling off Yellowstone Park to Disney.

I agree with you We_Must...the label will probably hurt him. He may have some trouble connecting to a country that largely associates the word "socialism" with a bearded Marx or a scowling Lenin, but since he's (courageously, I think) chosen that label for himself, I hope he spends some time defining what he means by it.

[We_Must_Organize]

15. I agree

He's definitely courageous. One of the many reasons I support him. Thanks for the insightful reply!

[asuhornets]

20. For some reason I don't

BELIEVE YOU.