The Democratic Party has brought about in the past century, since Franklin D. Roosevelt onward through Joe Biden, a massive number of major reforms.
The vast number of them came under FDR and the New Deal in the 1930s, and Lyndon B. Johnson and the Great Society in the 1960s, both periods where the Democratic Party had massive majorities in both houses of Congress.
Under other Democratic Presidents, fewer reforms were possible, but there were domestic accomplishments and advancements under Presidents Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden.
Now, however, so called “Democratic Socialists” are trying to turn the Democratic Party further to the left, and have succeeded in electing Zohran Mamdani as NYC Mayor and likely will elect Janeese Lewis George as Washington DC Mayor in November.
The best known “Democratic Socialist” is Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who caucuses with the Democratic Party, and is seen by others as a “model”, but is not technically seen as part of this updated “Democratic Socialists”.
Also, there are three members, presently, in the House of Representatives;
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York
Rashida Tlaib of Michigan
Greg Casar of Texas
In the upcoming 120th Congress (2027-2029), the following additions are to be added to the House of Representatives:
Dairaliza Avila Chavalier of New York
Claire Valdez of New York
Melat Kiros of Colorado
Chris Rabb of Pennsylvania
There are others who are termed as “The Squad”, but do not call themselves “Democratic Socialists”, including
Ilhan Omar of Minnesota
Ayanna Presley of Massachusetts
Delia Ramirez of Illinois
Summer Lee of Pennsylvania
The “Democratic Socialists” and “The Squad” membership could be a problem if the Democrats gain the majority in the House of Representatives by only a small margin, as that could interfere with the ability of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York to become the first Black Speaker of the House.
“Democratic Socialists” promote the following:
32 Hour Work Week
Minimum Wage of $30
Medicare For All
High Taxation of the Rich
Housing Reform And Universal Rent Control
Cuts In Military Spending
Opposition to NATO and Aid to Ukraine
Replacement of Capitalism
Hostility To Israel Since Israel-Gaza War
This author and blogger, proud to be a “Progressive”, sees this goals as unrealistic or objectionable.
Lowering the work week to less than 40 hours is possible, and a minimum wage goal over time of $25 seem reasonable.
Movement toward Medicare to cover Americans over 50, and some taxation of the rich is also reasonable.
Housing Reforms including for renters in a moderate way is also reasonable.
Some Cuts in Military Spending, but support of NATO and of Aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia is the proper way for the future.
Capitalism will not be replaced, but could come under greater regulation and controls.
Criticism of Israel, and ending military support of the government due to its actions in Gaza and the West Bank, can occur, but not total hostility to the right of Israel to its own nationhood.
So there is potential for reforms and change, but not to the extreme promoted by the “Democratic Socialists” and “The Squad”.
They will continue to “make noise” as their small number in Congress grows, but the Democratic Party is not going to go as far left as these groups promote, as they are totally unrealistic.