NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani

“Democratic Socialists Of America” Platform Preposterous And Unachievable!

Ronald 9 Comments

This author and blogger is proud to call himself a “progressive”, and has always admired political leaders who promote “liberal” values and ideas.

At the same time, this author and blogger has never believed in so called “Democratic Socialism” as an agenda, while at times, admiring individuals, such as Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, for his humanity and idealism.

But this author and blogger never believed Sanders was the proper person to lead the Democratic Party as a Presidential candidate.

But recently, with the victory of Zohran Mamdani as NYC Mayor, and a few congressional candidates being of the “Democratic Socialist” variety, the thought has been the issue of whether this movement within the Democratic Party was practical and realistic.

We have the possibility of Abdul El Sayed winning the Senate nomination in Michigan, and Francesca Hong winning the Wisconsin Gubernatorial nomination, in the coming few weeks.

But many are concerned that if these two candidates win, the Republicans will gain the edge to win in November, a fear that this author and blogger has.

And when one examines the platform of the DSA, it is clear that it is unrealistic and even dangerous to imagine an America governed by their philosophy.

The DSA is clearly not “Communism’ as Donald Trump and other Republicans are claiming, but their ideas are too extreme and unwise, and if adopted, would lead to massive destruction of the Democratic Party.

The DSA platform supports the following “crazy” ideas:

Abolish the US Senate
Abolish the Supreme Court
Abolish the Presidency as we know it, and the Electoral College
Allow the Congress (House of Representatives only) to govern and control the other branches of government
Defunding the Department of Defense, and withdrawing from all military bases around the world
Amnesty for all immigrants and abolition of ICE
Support For Palestinians and Hostility Toward Israel
32 hour work week, a living minimum wage, and paid family leave
Tuition free public education through college
Publicly Owned Housing and Universal Rent Control
Medicare For All and Universal Healthcare
Public Ownership of Corporations
Aggressive Wealth Taxes on the Rich and Corporations
Promotion of Labor Unions and Worker Rights
Environmental Green New Deal

While movement forward on the work week and labor unions; education; housing; health care; more taxes on the rich and corporations; and environmental reforms, can be promoted, the remainder of the ideas listed above are preposterous and unachievable.

Abolishing the government as we know it is not going to happen, and would require a new Constitutional Convention, that could lead, in theory, to a more right wing extremist government, instead of what is proposed.

The Department of Defense and ICE will continue, although the policies pursued need to be reformed so that there is the end of abuses now being perpetrated.

Also, the United States will continue to support the safety and survival of the state of Israel, while being able to be critical of the government of Benjamin Netanyahu and its policies toward the Palestinians.

The Founding Fathers created a form of government, that while not perfect, has overall done quite well in moving the nation forward “toward a more perfect union”, and the Presidency of Donald Trump is a short term derailment of their goals, but will, with public support, be overcome.

Wisconsin Gubernatorial Race Divides Democrats

Ronald 3 Comments

The state of Wisconsin has no Senate race in 2026, but does have a gubernatorial race to succeed Democratic Governor Tony Evers, who chose not to run for reelection, after two terms, even though he was eligible under the state constitution to run again, had he chosen to do so.

The Republican nominee will be Congressman Tom Tiffany, but the Democrats are deeply divided between “Establishment” Democrats and “Democratic Socialists”.

Three Democrats are contending, with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley endorsed by Governor Evers.

Also running is former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, backed by California Senator Adam Schiff, and state assemblywoman Francesca Hong, who is backed by California Congressman Ro Khanna, and identifies with “Democratic Socialism”.

The thought is that Hong may have an edge in public opinion polls, but would have more trouble winning the race against Tom Tiffany, than either Crowley, or Barnes.

Were Hong to end up as the nominee, she would be the highest ranking “Democratic Socialist” on the ballot in the nation in November, other than Michigan Senate contender Abdul El Sayed if he defeats Haley Stevens in the primary on August 4, more prominent than the two women in New York City and the woman in Denver who have been nominated, and likely will sit in Congress.

Hong would be seen, if she won in the primary on August 11, as the most prominent “Democratic Socialist”, as would El Sayed, if either won, other than NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

But there is strong concern that not only could Michigan’s Senate race go to the Republicans, but also that the Wisconsin Governorship could go to the Republicans, if the opposition can convice voters that El Sayed and Hong are too extremist in their orientation.

“Democratic Socialists” Vs Democratic Party

Ronald 23 Comments

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 these 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.

Brilliant Messages Of Unity On Semiquincentennial Anniversary By Pope Leo XIV And NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani!

Ronald 1 Comment

At a time when Donald Trump is feverishly working to divide America, on its Semiquincentennial Anniversary, two true “statesmen” spoke of the “better angels” of America, and promoted tolerance and appreciation of the role of immigrants in the success of the American story over 250 years.

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, demonstrated how statesmanlike both of them are, and give Americans who care about decency and open mindedness a sense that despite the divisiveness promoted by Donald Trump, that there is hope for revival of the American belief in Democracy and the Rule of Law.

Democratic Party In Danger Of Destroying Their Chances Against Republicans!

Ronald 8 Comments

The Democratic Party has the opportunity to advance to a potential majority in both the House of Representatives and the US Senate in the Midterm Elections occurring in a little more than four months from now.

But the victories of “Democratic Socialists” in a number of New York City races for the House of Representatives and the state legislature endangers the ability of New York Governor Kathy Hochul in her Gubernatorial race against right wing Trump supporter Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County Executive, and also endangers the possibility of Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to become Speaker of the House if the party wins the majority in November.

Two newly nominated and certain to be elected women for New York City Congressional seats—Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez– will be a danger to political stability as the upcoming Presidential race begins after the Midterm Elections, and it also undermines Mayor Zohran Mamdani, due to his strong anti Israel stand, which is shared by the two new women who will be in the 120th Congress.

“Democratic Socialists” sounds fine, until one looks at what they propose that is “pie in the sky” and also will only help MAGA Republicans.

They want:

Defund Or Abolish Prisons and the Police

Tax the Rich

Guarantee Free Health Care

End Military Aid to Israel

Expand the Social Safety Net

Raise the Minimum Wage, Shorten Work Week

For this author and blogger, ONLY Expanding the Social Safety Net is reasonable, along with “some” minimum wage increase and “some” taxing the rich.

To suggest Defund or Abolish Prisons and the Police; Guarantee Free Health Care; and End Military Aid to Israel–are all non starters.

These two new Congresswomen will get lots of attention, and become regarded as more extreme than Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been perceived, but it will only undermine the Democratic Party as it looks to the long term future beyond Donald Trump.