Editor,
As so often happens, Aug. 2 letter writer Rich Garbarino confuses “socialism” with “authoritarianism.” Which is why the word “Democratic” in “Democratic Socialist” is so important. Like many words, “socialism” has multiple meanings depending on the context. Garbarino needs to learn how to parse context and understand the writer's meaning.
Democratic socialism is about finding democratic ways to more equitably balance profit sharing between the workers that create goods and the capital that pays for the infrastructure those workers use. Democratic Socialists support local autonomy, because that is democratic. Democratic Socialists do not particularly advocate for eliminating private ownership of property.
In this day and age when conservatives like Garbarino label every progressive proposal “socialist,” it is important for us Socialists to take back the word and own its definition.
Chuck Simmons
Redwood City
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(3) comments
Mr. Simmons – why not prevent any type of confusion with socialism by removing the term “Socialist” from the name? I understand you trying to take back the word and own its definition, but in this day and age, why would you want to handicap yourself from the beginning? After all, some folks, such as our recent Supreme Court Justice can’t define what a “woman” is so do you really think you can redefine “socialist” to your interpretation?
You defined socialism perfectly when you wrote "socialism is about finding democratic ways to more equitably balance profit sharing between the workers". A democracy ceases to exist once a progressive government re-distributes incomes equally. Americans will never agree to become socialist and pay the 65% in taxes required to support it every where it exists.
Ed: Again, I have to ask you for an example of a so-called "socialist" country with a tax rate of 65%. Or, is this just something you just cooked up and tossed out, without any backing, like you often do? So, an example, please!
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