Re: OT: Call for more socialists

On Apr 16, 10:10 am, "alt.smokers.cigars" <dhan...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Noted Madison journalist John Nichols calls for more socialists in Congress:

http://www.madison.com/tct/opinion/column/nichols/447014

Some notable comments:

A significant socialist presence in the House would reflect the sentiments
of the American people. According to a new survey by Rasmussen Reports, a
conservative polling group, 20 percent of Americans believe that socialism
is a superior system to capitalism. Another 27 percent are not sure whether
socialism or capitalism is preferable. (According to Rasmussen, younger
Americans are even more inclined toward socialism, with 33 percent of adults
under the age of 30 identifying with the S word and 30 percent suggesting
that they are undecided between socialism and capitalism.)

If Rasmussen is right, and if the House's membership was genuinely
reflective of the ideological sentiments of the American people, the chamber
would not have 17 or even 71 or 77 socialists.

There would be at least 90 socialists serving in the House.

As it is, the last actual Socialist Party member to serve in the House was
Wisconsin Congressman Victor Berger, who left office in 1929 after having
been elected a half dozen times. (Denied the seat because of his opposition
to World War I, Berger was repeatedly re-elected by Milwaukee voters until
congressional leaders relented and admitted him to the chamber.)

Berger spent his time in Congress advocating for a Social Security system to
provide old-age pensions, for the expansion of trade unionism and the
protection of farmers, for the establishment of public utilities, for
regulating bankers and speculators, and for prosecuting war profiteers.
Berger railed against monopolies and he definitely favored nationalizing
some essential industries. But he always maintained that his highest
priorities were the defense of freedom of speech and freedom of the press,
and the strengthening of democratic processes in order to ensure that the
great mass of working Americans had a genuine say in defining the direction
of the country.

"As a matter of fact," Berger told his colleagues as the country was
careening toward the Wall Street crash that the Milwaukee Socialist warned
was coming, "a large number of Socialists in Congress would be a blessing to
the country at the present time -- and they could possibly stand between you
and chaos."

Berger's words still ring true. Even those who disdain socialism ought to
recognize that Congress would be well served by the addition of a few more
members who are inclined to question the bankers to whom Spencer Bachus -- a
leading proponent of the Wall Street bailout -- keeps handing blank checks.
--
David Hannes
Madison, WI
<< * >>


Now this will really help populate ASC ROTFLMFAO
.

Relevant Pages

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  • OT: Call for more socialists
    ... According to a new survey by Rasmussen Reports, a conservative polling group, 20 percent of Americans believe that socialism is a superior system to capitalism. ... As it is, the last actual Socialist Party member to serve in the House was Wisconsin Congressman Victor Berger, who left office in 1929 after having been elected a half dozen times. ... Berger spent his time in Congress advocating for a Social Security system to provide old-age pensions, for the expansion of trade unionism and the protection of farmers, for the establishment of public utilities, for regulating bankers and speculators, and for prosecuting war profiteers. ...
    (alt.smokers.cigars)