My first reaction to Sherill's piece was that it sounded noticeably socialist (not that there's anything wrong with that), and Mamdani's was like real (New York) Democrat of the sort I long for. Put them both on the ballot, should they move to California) and I'd have to search for a reason choose one.
I do wonder if the ritualistic chanting of the word "Communist" like a Hogwart's spell even registers with the average American any more. And of course Communist and Socialist are used interchangeably because the few who understand the difference believe their listeners don't and they're just seeing if one gets a better response.
But the hysteria around Mamdani across the board is a real indicator that Something is in the Air. Democratic and Republican elites are united in opposing his tyranny, whatever it might be. That's remarkable anytime, let alone These Days. I think it was Heather Cox Richardson who referenced a truly unhinged editorial in the Washington Post about Mamdani's win. He's become a harbinger of the reaction to Trump, whether he likes it or not. 2026 is gonna be lit.
That’s just me. Copypasted from 2021, but also reconstructed from Sherrill. The post is meant to show, I guess, how you can build the same definition from different approaches.
Thanks to the illustration accompanying this article I now have the theme to “Laverne & Shirley” stuck in my head…which somehow seems oddly appropriate.
In American politics (and probly elsewhere, but let's keep it simple) there are per my definition two kinds of operatives:
• theorist/visionaries, whom we need to see and describe the future we COULD have
• practical doers, whom we need to ensure the function of that with which we are stuck
In my view these two types seldom meld, but if they ever do, we all need to encourage/help them land on the social side of democracy rather than the market side.
I recently saw this definition, which I liked:
Under capitalism, anybody can become rich.
Under communism, nobody can become rich.
Under socialism, anybody can become rich, but nobody needs to be poor.
I prefer Social Democrat, thank you, but you're definitely on to something ...
My first reaction to Sherill's piece was that it sounded noticeably socialist (not that there's anything wrong with that), and Mamdani's was like real (New York) Democrat of the sort I long for. Put them both on the ballot, should they move to California) and I'd have to search for a reason choose one.
I do wonder if the ritualistic chanting of the word "Communist" like a Hogwart's spell even registers with the average American any more. And of course Communist and Socialist are used interchangeably because the few who understand the difference believe their listeners don't and they're just seeing if one gets a better response.
But the hysteria around Mamdani across the board is a real indicator that Something is in the Air. Democratic and Republican elites are united in opposing his tyranny, whatever it might be. That's remarkable anytime, let alone These Days. I think it was Heather Cox Richardson who referenced a truly unhinged editorial in the Washington Post about Mamdani's win. He's become a harbinger of the reaction to Trump, whether he likes it or not. 2026 is gonna be lit.
Yes, something is certainly going on. And I think “communist” as swear word really has lost a lot of power.
Who are you quoting there, about "all you really need to understand about socialism?"
That’s just me. Copypasted from 2021, but also reconstructed from Sherrill. The post is meant to show, I guess, how you can build the same definition from different approaches.
Thanks to the illustration accompanying this article I now have the theme to “Laverne & Shirley” stuck in my head…which somehow seems oddly appropriate.
Aye!
In American politics (and probly elsewhere, but let's keep it simple) there are per my definition two kinds of operatives:
• theorist/visionaries, whom we need to see and describe the future we COULD have
• practical doers, whom we need to ensure the function of that with which we are stuck
In my view these two types seldom meld, but if they ever do, we all need to encourage/help them land on the social side of democracy rather than the market side.