In 1982, Olof Palme -- former leader of Sweden's Social Democratic Party -- spoke about what made him a socialist.
(Click the gear symbol to turn on the English subtitles. H/t to Matt Bruenig.)
I was interested -- but not surprised -- by Palma's contention that the poverty in the United States appeared even more degrading to him than the poverty in India. Perhaps poverty is most immoral not in a poor country, but in an advanced, developed, rich country that can end poverty but simply chooses not to engage in the necessary redistribution. I was similarly impressed -- but again, not surprised -- by his speaking to the persecution of people living under Soviet Communism. Democratic socialism is not communism and we need to make this point clear for Americans unfamiliar with European social policy.
I am a democratic socialist. Proudly! And happily so! I became one when I traveled to India and saw the horrible poverty among the people while still a few were tremendously rich. I became one when I traveled further and saw the, in some ways, even more degrading poverty in the United States. I became one when I stood eye to eye with the oppression of communism and saw the persecution of people in the communist states.Democratic socialism is not scary -- it is not communism. It is a pragmatic and achievable path towards social justice. And Bernie Sanders is winning the Democratic Primary because most thoughtful Democrats realize this.