Reply #38: Don't forget the Socialists

[JHB]

The Socialist Party grew as the Republicans became more entwined with monied interests, drawing people who saw (as we would say these days) one party with two right wings. They hit their peak in the Teens, but lost steam as the New Deal Democrats adopted the more popular parts of their platform.

If you're ever dumbfounded why people support the Greens, look at the way the Socialists pulled the Democrats to the left for what they're thinking.

Then again, remember that out in the "heartland" the New Deal wasn't sold as charity for people with hard times, it was sold as getting New York City millionaires to pay them getting electricity, improved roads, and other infrastructure projects.