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Politics : View from the Center and Left -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: thames_sider who wrote (21311)	6/17/2006 4:17:28 AM
From: Dale Baker	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 541403

As far as I know, American unions have had nothing to do with socialists for many decades now. They became a powerful bloc in and of themselves, working in Democratic Party politics. The Socialist Party is a rump fragment of the last faithful who believe in the doctrine. The Democrats may advocate a larger state role in some sectors, but not nationalization of industries. And we know that the Republicans have embraced big government with a passion in the areas they want to "transform" at home and abroad.

To: thames_sider who wrote (21311)	6/17/2006 8:54:15 AM
From: JohnM	Respond to of 541403

. . .but I dislike it being used as simple abuse to stifle debate, especially so inaccurately. Ditto, obviously. As for socialism and politics in the US, you type as if you know a great deal so I suspect whatever I say you already know. There is, for instance, only the slightest wisp of a organized socialist movement in this country, more the political movement that dare not speak it's name than anything else. Despite Bernie Sanders (an acknowledged socialist) willingness to caucus and vote with the Dems in the House, and presumed willingness to do so in the Senate, there is no socialist presence in the Dem party. As for their presence/attachment to unions, I'm not aware of any at present. Historically, it has been so, particularly if you go back to the 30s and a bit in the 60s, particularly the longshoremen. But that's all. There is a slight presence among small political magazines and in some sectors of the academy, bless them. But that's about all. Our version of left is political support for programs of the welfare state. It comes, as you know better than most of us, as support for programs rather than support for an overarching ideology or political movement. Nope, we don't have any Tony Benn's here.