Mainstreaming Socialism

It is a testament to the effect progressive influence has had on the current Democratic Party to hear longtime establishment apologist and regular MSNBC commentator Lawerence O'Donnell sing the praises of the contribution American socialists have made to the quality of life in this country. In response to the latest vilification of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, O'Donnell reminded his viewers that the eight hour work day along with the 40 hour work week were products of the efforts of thousands of early American socialists (Eugene Debs being a notable 20th century example although not specifically mentioned by O'Donnell). He went on to make note of the formation and popularity of such socialist programs as Social Security and Medicare and the specific contribution of FDR's Secretary of Labor, Francis Perkins, in the enactment of the former while noting the historical roots of the latter.

O'Donnell's declarations represent an abrupt change of attitude from at least this sector of the Democratic mainstream. It was only a few short months ago that O'Donnell was attempting to minimalize AOC's historic defeat of 20 year incumbent and party kingpin, Joseph Crowley, and, in so doing, hope to marginalize her accomplishment. In the ensuing months, O'Donnell has apparently come to realize the very real depth of appeal that current socialist ideas and programs enjoy among an ever growing majority of Americans. As alluded to by O'Donnell, socialism, its ideas and benefits, have been an essential part of the American societal fabric throughout much of our history although not always identified by name. We might add to this list the very publicly financed and proudly American institutions of the National Park Service; the vast and largely well functioning system of highways, roads, and bridges; the much lauded and often revered US military; our police and fire service; a network of public libraries; a public educational system at once filled with promise and in need of even greater attention and the promise of the restoration of fully finance higher education to compete on the world stage with other industrialized nations of the world. In the light of these existing socialistic realities, the introduction of the Green New Deal as proposed by Bernie Sanders, Ms Ocasio-Cortez and scores of other members of Congress appear not as outlying concepts but rather ideas consistent with ongoing and successful programs with which we are all well accustomed and familiar. These ideas echo a rich and vibrant heritage forged throughout our history by the efforts, sacrifices, and vision of the likes of Mr. Debs, Samuel Gompers, social activist Dorothy Day, the great Paul Robson, our would-be Vice President Henry Wallace, and the legendary vision of Martin Luther King. They and thousands of other American socialist forefathers must look upon the current iteration of those who strive for the full and authentic expression of democracy with pride and hope for the fulfillment of a dream once conceived and still yet to be fully realized.

Of course, there exists now, as then, a formidable opposition to this movement...a very well organized and financed effort to maintain the status quo of wealth disparity and the preservation of a system that protects the 1% of elites...American oligarchs dedicated not to the common good but rather to the perpetuation and continuance of their narrow, myopic, and destructive vision based upon greed and self aggrandizement. They are currently represented by the familiar Koch Brothers, the Waltons, Robert Mercer, and Leo Leonard and the Federalist Society just to cite a few notable examples. They will do their best to demonize the harbingers of change in the upcoming election cycle now already upon us with vile insult, misinformation, and outright defamation in an attempt preserve a hold on an unjust system increasingly viewed with disfavor. When mainstream representatives like Lawrence O'Donnell begin to accept the need for real change and link this need with reference to the heritage of past struggle and the existence of ongoing successful programs that benefit the many, we may look forward to a future where a consensus will be achieved to turn the tide and enjoy a day when, in the words of Mr. Dylan, 'the sun will respect every face on the deck; the hour when the ship comes in!' The ship is indeed on the horizon.