By Kevin McGuire

Is there a certain logic to achieving social democracy in America? In respect to differing viewpoints and our democratic tradition, most definitely. Who buys the products and uses their disposable incomes to fuel our economy? Who provides the needed labor to produce goods and services? Should capitalism remain unchallenged, in this age of high prices  and scarcity? Does everything require commodification? Can democracy be fully achieved?

All the talk from both the far left and far right about “how we have no democracy here in America“ is so self-serving. On the right, we have seen the total replacement of the GOP by something worse and more dangerous, a dominant MAGA. And on the left, we have cancel culture and the opinion of the DSA via their Marxist cadre groups and caucuses, who falsely argue “we are the real existing socialism for America.” This is no different than what the Communist Party USA pushed onto their minions in the ‘60’s, ‘70’s and ‘80’s, and is a total deviation from democratic socialism.

The idea of a “liberal democracy” is being fully discredited by both camps. The idea that  has preserved our societies for centuries is under attack. From “liberal democracy”, we have a court system, with law enforcement and prisons, and an immigration system, both with rights which we can all agree on. The direction of this argument is some kind of civil war so that one side gets subjugated. And the argument that sometimes deaths are necessary during revolutions is totally unacceptable. Means and ends get warped and twisted, and do not serve societies’ long-term interests, particularly in our nuclear age. Is this appropriate?

Can we agree on an economic system? The “right” retains a “rugged individualist” model, which leads to the obvious slogan “we either hang together or we hang separately.” It looks like the latter hanging is prevailing. The far “left” pines for a collectivist form, which has its own pitfalls. We saw what happened to the USSR’s “real existing socialism.” There were no workers’ rights, no freedom-like speech and artistic liberty.

Why can’t we create a system which ultimately establishes the dignity and self-worth of every individual member of our society, independent of one’s age, race, creed, gender identity and economic class through an agreed economic system that can achieve these ends? Our view of capitalism should never stand still; it needs constant critique. Some argue that Marx was no “Nostradamus, “yet this statement is so disingenuous; he tried to tell his German comrades where capitalism was going, until Eduard Berstein made the “astonishing” claim, through Marx’s own procedures, science and data, that Marx’s theories were going nowhere. The middle class never collapsed, and capitalism never fell under its own weight.

Can Socialism be fully achieved here in America?

The real answer here is unknown. Democracy serves as a safeguard for better ideas to be put into action, but when those reforms fail or stop, then democracy is no longer perceived as a pathway and then folks wander into the right-wing domain. Eduard Bernstein failed to answer the question of socialism and responded, “the movement is everything.” This response is in favor of a political party which safeguards the middle and working classes against tyranny and speaks for further reforms. The reform work should continue always and address the needs of the working and middle classes. And whether those further reforms are “socialism” is for historians and others to argue. Along the way, we need to evaluate the reforms and argue whether they are acceptable for the middle and working class. This seems logical.

One thing is for certain: this business of billionaires and a run-away Pentagon has to end. We KNOW what is wrong, and we can make our world much better!

Kevin McGuire is a SDUSA member from Houston.