42 Comments
User's avatar
Mike Moody's avatar

If Socialism is defined by the government owning the means of production, why is the media being silent about the Trump regime taking ownership stakes in “strategic partners” the likes of US Steel, Intel, Global Foundries, IBM, etc.? Why is the Democratic Party being silent about this? When Republicans and centrist Democrats start using dog whistle about Socialism they need to be confronted with this and challenged about why it’s not Socialism when a Republican does it, or when a profitable corporation gets handouts from our government. 🤬

Dave Zimny's avatar

As much as I tend to distrust anyone from McKinsey, Buttigieg is slowly winning me over. How about an AOC/Buttigieg ticket (in either order) for 2028? How about 2036? I know, I'm dreaming -- but don't wake me up!

DrBDH's avatar

That Polis thinks capitalism is the answer to providing universal healthcare and a social safety net shows he doesn’t understand what “capitalism,” “universal healthcare” and “social safety net” mean. They are just buzzwords to him, uttered without thinking through the implications documented by history. True late night, alcohol fueled dorm room level argument.

BrandoG's avatar

Fetterman is just a giant asshole.theres just not much to him. He might also be a racist, but the merging of racism and assholery can make the line hard to see.

But it’s the rest of the party that matters, as Fetterman has basically no constituency to speak of. The Left and Middle had better come to an accommodation, recognizing who the real threat is, focusing on drawing distinctions with the Right, and writing off their own policy disagreements as an issue for the negotiating table if they ever take power. It’d have been insane for FDR, Churchill and Stalin to fight publicly over communism vs liberty vs imperialism at a time when Nazi armies were ascendant. Pete has the right idea—focus on taking out the enemy, we can debate policy distinctions later.

Lucius's avatar

Your lips to Schumer’s ears.

marcus816's avatar

Polis is such a disappointment. You are absolutely correct about the rightward movement of the Overton Window. The RWNJs keep beating us for the simple reason that they keep showing up.

Old Man Shadow's avatar

I really get the feeling that half of the Democratic party would be perfectly happy in a fascist regime so long as they got to maintain their positions and privilege.

Howlin Wolfe's avatar

“The only way to accomplish those — and history has proven this — is through capitalism and the free-market system [and] the clarity that it creates.” Anyone who believes this is either so thoroughly blinkered by right-wing propaganda that he doesn’t even know it; he’s cynical enough to use it to gain power (but a really bad strategy for a Democrat); or he’s really, really stupid.

Greg's avatar

" Fetterman in particular is just out for himself."

Well that just makes him a typical American, right?

I was born in this country but after all these years I don't consider myself an American, because when I think of Americans, I think of shitheels who are only out for themselves. Yah yah, there are exceptions, but they only serve to clarify the general rule.

Lucius's avatar

Most of us suck, yeah. Part of it is this rancid abscess of a country, but yeah.

Melinda G Young's avatar

Thank you! Awesome analysis of Fetterman and Buttigieg!

My daughter - as a college student - voted for Fetterman. We donated to his campaign.

But what happened to him? Was he always a duplicitous a-hole, or did his medical crisis change him?

He will never be elected again. PA folks hate him, now.

But, more importantly, your comments about Buttigieg are on target. He doesn't drag down members of his own party to prove a point. And like Mamdani and Obama, Buttigieg is a doer, who can get things done.

Even if I didn't already like much of what he stands for, I would vote for him solely based on his idea of expanding the Supreme Court and taking the corruption and extremism out of it. Roberts has destroyed the institution, and Buttigieg knows how to fix it.

Sun's avatar

Um, no, Jared Polis, by definition you cannot use capitalism and the free market to create and sustain a strong social safety net. 🤦 FFS

Sherry's avatar

While the DSA is busy bitching about socialist democrats, Fetterman is actually acting like a republican. He’s a problem and has become so repellent that there is no way he will be re-elected. He’s can change parties all he likes but he’ll be out of the game soon. Good riddance.

belfryo's avatar

That being said, I WOULD like when people like Pete acknowledge these disagreements if they would actually SAY what it is about the DSA positions they disagree with...Its KINDA like he's trying to be magnanimous and incisive while STILL putting some distance between him and these 'to the left' views.

I would just REALLY like to know SPEICOCALLY what it is they object to because I can't find anything TO object to EVEN IF you are a more moderate dem...The DSA policies feel like they should be the bog standard for the democratic platform writ large

What a summer child i am!

Stephen Robinson's avatar

As a Portland resident, I think I have developed specific points of disagreement with the far left, specifically on public safety and education.

belfryo's avatar

Ah, you definitely have a more 'rigorous' far left out in your neck of the woods than we do here in the capitol of Virginia!

belfryo's avatar

"“I support universal healthcare,” Polis has claimed. “I support a strong social safety net. The only way to accomplish those — and history has proven this — is through capitalism and the free-market system [and] the clarity that it creates.”

Fucking liar

Then WHY IS IT STILL FUCKING BROKEN?

Trickle down on THIS motherfucker

Cateck's avatar

Capitalism is diametrically opposed to a strong social safety net, what an asshole.

Stephen Robinson's avatar

Interestingly, El-Sayed called this out — how monopolies and predatory capitalism are the bigger issue.

belfryo's avatar

yep!

VCole's avatar

I don't understand why this 'flipper' is holding on to the Dem Party for?

Frank Talk, Action Pundit!'s avatar

Sinema in a hoodie.

Stephen Robinson's avatar

She did actually attempt to legislate and she didn’t make a point of picking fights with Democrats on Fox News.

Cateck's avatar

There's always one, going back to Lieberman or most likely further. And when Fetterman goes, it will be some other asshole. Weird how that works out.

belfryo's avatar

It ALMOST feels like a conspiracy (tho I know it isn't)

Maybe we should take EVERY candidate that runs as a democrat aside for a little chat, regardless of how much we like them or not and give a little tap

"If you turn on us, we will burn your house to the ground with you in it. DO YOU FUCKING UNDERSTAND?

Frank Talk, Action Pundit!'s avatar

The Democratic Party actually vetting its "candidates" would be a nice start.

See also: Maine

belfryo's avatar

yup!

If I was super wealthy, I'd fund a vetting company made up of journalists who lost their jobs at the WaPo and NYT when those institutions chose to be whitewashing water carriers for the fascist right...

Frank Talk, Action Pundit!'s avatar

And former U.S. intelligence officers.

SethTriggs's avatar

LOL moral clarity.

But he knew the secret to success...Say The Pretty Words What Democrats Like. And then you're in like Flynn!

llamaspit's avatar

Totally agree with your observation. But since I am old enough to remember the first run release of this movie, and at the risk of outing myself as a total nerd, I believe the expression is "In Like Flint". I think it comes from this movie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Like_Flint

SethTriggs's avatar

I totally didn't know that! Every single time I heard that growing up people pronounced it "Flynn" and it always seemed to be a reference to Errol Flynn! Well I sure learned a thing!

marcus816's avatar

You are also correct in that it references Errol;

“His public image as a charming, daring man who easily won romantic conquests led to the phrase.” Grammarphone

Jackwagon's avatar

According to the wiki:

"The title is a play on the phrase "in like Flynn.""

So technically you were still right about it being Flynn.

llamaspit's avatar

Now I've also learned something.