A new party is making headlines in the media. Democratic Socialism promises lofty ideals without disclosing the repercussions. Before casting their ballots, young voters should educate themselves on the issues, think critically and look beyond persuasive rhetoric to make informed decisions.
With midterm elections approaching on Tuesday, Nov. 3, the media is buzzing with political headlines.
However, many college students do not have access to cable television or traditional news outlets, so they may be confused when they see candidates running as “Democratic Socialists.”
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines democratic socialism as “a political movement calling for the establishment of a decentralized socialist economic system within a democratically run political system.”
Most people have heard of socialism, though typically not in a favorable light.
The ideology centers around collective ownership and government control, rejecting capitalism and limiting private enterprise. If implemented, resources such as housing, income and groceries would be distributed equally among the public through federal funding, rather than earned independently.
Common examples of socialist principles can be seen in the political systems of China, Cuba and North Korea, although no country currently operates under its purest form.
Because of the negative connotations associated with socialism, the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America) has attempted to distinguish itself from the traditional party.
The DSA website states, “Our vision pushes further than historic social democracy and leaves behind authoritarian visions of socialism in the dustbin of history.”
The DSA aims to push a host of radical agendas. Some of the party’s priorities include defunding the police and the military, abolishing prison systems, granting free healthcare, free housing, free education and free groceries.
In theory, a free society sounds great—almost too good to be true. That’s because it is.
In reality, nothing is free. Each of these programs would be funded by the government. And where does the government get its money? From American tax dollars.
The White House recently released a report estimating the extreme costs necessary to implement some of the DSA’s top policies over a 10-year span.
The Council of Economic Advisers under President Donald J. Trump estimated that American taxpayers would owe roughly $49 trillion—that’s over $350,000 per household.
The report, titled, “The Real Cost of Socialism in America,” projects double-digit inflation, double-digit interest rates on loans and mortgages, massive wage cuts and rising unemployment.
Yet one of the most concerning agendas of the DSA is what they have coined “Religious Socialism.” This subset of Democratic Socialists openly states its mission to establish “a coalition of religious people with socialist values to defeat Christian nationalism and build a more just world.”
So not only does Democratic Socialism threaten the American economy, but it also targets the very principles upon which the nation was founded.
The DSA proposes to completely eradicate the United States Constitution and draft a framework of their own.
The House of Representatives and the Senate would be merged into one body, granting Congress unlimited power over all executive, judicial and legislative functions.
The American people would be powerless.
Sound familiar?
China, Vietnam and Cuba adhere to similar structures. Each nation operates under a large, unified parliament with a single leader.
Civil liberties are highly restricted, suppressing freedom of speech and independent journalism. Those who question or defy the ruling party are silenced, exiled, imprisoned or worse.
Is this the type of society we want America to be? Reversing every right and freedom established over 250 years?
Don’t be fooled by Democratic Socialism. Do your research, think critically, and fight to protect “the land of the free.”
