Socialist Successes

Representative Spencer Bachus is one of the only people I know from Alabama. I bet I'm the only socialist he knows. I'm certainly the only one the congressman from Birmingham could name after darkly claiming that there are 17 socialists lurking in the House of Representatives.

I doubt that there are any other socialists, let alone 17 more, in all of the Congress. I also respectfully doubt that Spencer Bachus understands much about democratic socialism. I hope this is an opportunity to shed some light on a viewpoint that deserves more attention throughout America and in our capital.

At its best, Washington brings people like us together to fight for our principles and work things out for the good of the country. Spencer and I used to serve together on the House Financial Services Committee. I don't mean to hurt him back home, but the truth is that he even cosponsored an amendment of mine once on credit card ripoffs.

At its worst, Washington is a place where name-calling partisan politics too often trumps policy. A standard refrain in John McCain's presidential stump speeches last fall was a claim that Barack Obama's Senate voting record was more liberal than Senate's only socialist, yours truly. That is nonsense on several levels. Even as political hyperbole, the attack didn't work out all that well for my colleague from Arizona.

Still, branding someone as a socialist has become the slur du jour by leading lights of the American right from Newt Gingrich to Rush Limbaugh. Some, like Mike Huckabee, intentionally blur the differences between socialism and communism, between democracy and totalitarianism. "Lenin and Stalin would love this stuff," Huckabee told last winter's gathering of the Conservative Political Action Conference.

If we could get beyond such nonsense, I think this country could use a good debate about what goes on here compared to places with a long social-democratic tradition like Sweden, Norway and Finland, where, by and large, the middle class has a far higher standard of living than we do.

I was honored last year to show Ambassador Pekka Lintu of Finland around my home state of Vermont. There was standing-room only at a town meeting where people came to hear more about one of the world's most successful economic and social models.

And what we learned impressed us. Finland is a country which provides high-quality health care to all of its people with virtually no out-of-pocket expense; where parents and their young children receive free excellent childcare and/or parental leave benefits which dwarf what our nation provides; where college and graduate education is free to students and where children in the public school system often record the highest results in international tests. In Finland, where 80 percent of workers belong to unions, all employees enjoy at least 30 days paid vacation and the gap between the rich and poor is far more equitable than in the United States.

One reason there was so much interest in the Finnish model was that even before Wall Street greed drove the world economy into a deep recession, more and more Americans were wondering why the very rich were becoming richer while our economy failed our working families. They wanted to know why the middle class was shrinking, poverty was increasing and the United States was the only major country without a national health care program.

Despite all the rhetoric about "family values," workers in the United States now work the longest hours of any people in a major country. Our health care system is disintegrating. At last count, 47 million Americans had no health insurance while we spend twice as much per capita on health care as any other nation.

We have the highest rate of childhood poverty in the industrialized world. Our childcare system is totally inadequate. Too many of our kids drop out of school, and college is increasingly unaffordable. One of the results of how we neglect many of our children is that we end up with more people in jails and prisons than any other country on earth. There is a correlation between the highest rate of childhood poverty and the highest rate of incarceration.

Let's be clear. Finland is no utopia. Not so many years ago, it experienced a severe economic downturn. Its economy today is not immune to what is happening in the rest of the world. There also are, to be sure, important differences between the United States and Finland - a small country with a population of only 5.2 million people. Finland has a very homogenous population. We are extremely diverse. Finland is the size of Montana. We stretch 3,000 miles from coast to coast.

Despite the differences, there are important similarities. Both countries share many of the same aspirations for their people. When one thinks about the long march of human history, it is no small thing that democratic countries like Finland exist that operate under egalitarian principles, which have virtually abolished poverty, which provide almost-free, quality health care to all their people, and provide free, high-quality education from child care to graduate school.

Whether we live in Burlington, Vt. or Birmingham, Ala., we should be prepared to study and learn from the successes of social-democratic countries. Name-calling and scare tactics just won't do.

Comments

[battlinbob]

In my opinion, civil ideals are cyclical..... socialism -> facism -> communism -> capitalism -> socialism -> facism -> communism -> capitalism... Please note, China, Russia... Thank god Germany was interrupted in the 30's/40's... I wish they perfected the cryogenic freeze, I'd be in line about now...

[Querent]

That opinion is worth about what you could sell it for.

[davidly]

When I read the sophistic argumentation against this post, I am reminded of how the intentionally obtuse have for so long managed to pass for intellectual. At least Buckley was fairly wealthy and had something to gain from his puerile positioning, but I'll never understand those who eat their own simply because they think its cool to be associated with such simple-mindedness.

[Artemis34]

I started to understand this when I heard a rancher talking about the stampede mentality of cattle.

A fly bites one, it starts running and so do all the rest. The rest don't know why they are running. It isn't logical, it is just fear driving them. They trample members of their own herd even killing some.

This is why the right is relying of fear.

It is like the fear, of the unknown, of real or imagined enemies, that turns off reason.

Once we have reason turned off, they can run us into the slaughterhouse whenever they like.

[JacqueItch]

Fear is one controlling mechanism. One that works very well.
It is based on threat, that either pain or harm will result should there not be compliance.

Fear is one of several manipulating tactics controlling people use on their prey:
confusion, lies, innuendo, disinformation, promises-----all work.
All can appeal to the herd mentality ("everybody sees it this way"), all can block awareness of the actual motives and strategy the controller employs.
All can allow the controller to get what they want.

The one that is used most successfully in modern times is the age-old magician's trick of distraction ----- getting the subject to look at something else while the trickery is performed: Britney Spears, anyone? Or, American Idol? Or, sex scandal du jour. Or, Amadinejab's latest. Or, swine flu. Or, the new pet. Or, Limbaugh, etc etc etc etc. . . . . .

[battlinbob]

I respect the Independents article however. Finland is a bad example. I think China would is more relevant due to its size and might (I am surprised he didnt mention China)..
If the US goes the socialist route we are in for a huge surprise. It is logical that in the short run, socialism would be beneficial. However, in the long run, it would thin out finances, lower the standard of living (yes for the middle class), class gaps would broaden, there would be a brain drain, competition would flounder, corruption would skyrocket, military would be weakened, health care would be substandard, dependency on others will flourish and the country would fall apart.
A socialist society, especially when introduced to a country the size of the US (and growing rapidly) will have one end... Communism. Why? Because the hole will get deeper and deeper and there will be nowhere else to go..

[Artemis34]

It is just as Sen. Sanders writes here "Some, like Mike Huckabee [and you], intentionally blur the differences between socialism and communism, between democracy and totalitarianism."

China is not an example of democratic socialism. China is an example of communism and I would say totalitarianism as well, yet they are the darlings of the conservatives.

Also, as Sen. Sanders points out, the middle class is BETTER OFF than the American middle class in European socialist democracies, and better off in the long run. All your dire predictions are not proven in reality. Why don't you visit northern Europe and spend some time there. Or even live in Canada for a while and see that people can be happy and safe with national health care and equality.

Open your mind...

[feuille0d0erable]

Thank you. China is not a social democratic state, but Canada is, like Sweden, Denmark, Norway. It's also large with a very diverse population and seems to be weathering the economic storm a bit better - Canadian banks are still profitable and the housing market hasn't crashed. Maybe the colder climates produce cool heads and clarity.

[battlinbob]

Canada... Are you serious?? Ask any responsible canadian and they will tell you they either buy additional health insurance or go to the US to get quality care..
China is a great example of socialism.. Why wouldnt you want to admit that...
I live in Panama where health care is socialistic. Its pretty sad when you have to pay off people to get ahead in line in order to receive shotty service..
BTW, Europe is in very bad shape... They are becoming more and more in debt because they cant afford their socialist ideals anymore..
One more point, if the US wasn't their defenders, where would they get the money to defend themselves???
My mind is open. It is unfortunate that the meaning of "open your mind" to you is reading what is appealing to your idealistic, self righteous views which ultimately will fail if implemented.. Russia went to socialism which evolved in to communism... My suggestion, move to one of these countries instead of trying to change the one which was built on the opposite ideals...

[twofish]

Why, you're right, battlinbob. We must immediately end this socialism for the rich we have been practicing for years, but especially the last 8. You see the economic havoc it's wreaked on us...

Oh, you didn't mean that. You just mean some socialism for the rest of us. Pfui.

[Querent]

"Logical" doesn't mean whatever extended fantasy comes into your mind, friend. Logic is a discipline. It has rules for constructing arguments which lead to valid conclusions. You can likely find classes in logic in most community colleges. Why don't you go take one, and come back when you have learned the meaning of the word?

[sposton]

It obvious there are many in this country that share Senator Sanders's political ideas. How come we Americans do not have a viable social-democratic party representing that opinion? Even if such a party does not field a candidate which might act as a spoiler, it could certainly help pool votes and bargain with another's party's candidate. As soon an American casts her vote it no longer means much to that candidate. He just continues doing whatever his predecessor was doing because it is more important to get the oligarchic money than our votes. As long as the money is more important than our votes we will continue being represented in Washington by the same type of people. We must organize ourselves to help change our system. A vibrant social-democratic party might be very helpful in this process. I think it would eventually either displace the democratic "party" or remake it in its own image. Either case would represent an improvement over what we currently have.

[ContraEgoiste]

Because the American public has been terrified and brainwashed to the point that the mere word "socialist" is a pejorative. They have equated socialism to communism and the majority doesn't even understand the latter much less the former. All they know is that it is supposed to be bad. They have instilled a phobia in the American psychic which started with the fear of the "red menace" through the McArthy trials and on. And the majority now can not distinguish between socialism and communism.

Those in power at the top prefer it this way as it keeps a compliant workforce of expendable cheap drones, so they have a stake on propagating the myth. And Conservatives love to shout "socialism" that in their very limited understanding don't know what it means, they chant labels without even realizing that they are arguing for their own enslavement.

[sposton]

All of that is true but we must all work to change this reality. It seems to me there are enough people to create a small but influential party which could act at least as a moral alternative to discredited democratic "party". How come we Americans seem to be utterly unable to self-organize into political clubs, groups, and yes parties which would better represent us and to offset the pervasive influence of the corporatocracy? I think there is something more wrong with us than just a % of Americans brainwashed to act against their own self interest. Post Civil War saw an enormous organizing effort of Farmers' Alliance which had tens of thousands lecturers around the country organizing farmers. I think we have lost that kind of spirit. With each passing year we are becoming less free. It is not enough to have our rights; if we don't exercise our rights it is just a matter of time before they are effectively lost. Demo-publican political space just ain't enough.

[blueken]

The word "liberal" was hijacked in much the same manner. Very good post.

[battlinbob]

For the same reason why Independent parties who would not agree to the Social Democratic party are suppressed. Dont worry though, we are one party away from your ideals to come true. I am certain you will have your wish soon... But remember, you will have to reap what you sow... Check that, your kids and grand children will..

[sposton]

You've been raised on fear haven't you? I've noticed each time you criticize democratic socialism all your examples do not mention much from the real social democratic experience from Europe. Your idea of democratic socialism is communism.

This might come to you as a surprise but I am not a socialist. I am more of a conservative than anything else but I come to this strictly as a systems guy. Our system is out of balance and is well on its way to self-destruction. In order to save it (conserve the good part of it) you need a critical mass of re-balancing. How is that going to be achieved? The only way I can see at the moment is to move the center of gravity leftward. This is not going to happen on its own nor will it happen by empowering traditional liberal thinking. The system needs a judicious injection of socialist thought. If we don't do it, the current system will self-destruct and there will be very little left to conserve.

[joebhed]

Way to go, Bernie.
You are the best, and this is your best.

Someday we will have universal health care and true economic democracy in this country.
And we will undoubtedly have you and many other social-democratic leaders to thank.
I'm not sure it can get done without a new independent, social-democrat party, or not.

Summers and Geithner and Rubin and Bernanke are all making it very doubtful that it can be done with even the best of the Democratic Party.
I know the people are there.
But first we need to break the stranglehold that the private bankers have over the two major parties, and that can only be done by abolishing the debt-money system of the private federal reserve banking system.

Why do you think Finland has the same "financial" problems that we do?
They are part of the mainly private-ce­ntral-bank­ing system of the EU.
Some day, we will be sovereign countries, with our OWN central banks.
Then, we can really move on.
Greenbacks.

[AtheistMaximus]

Bernie Sanders is great I loved his last appearance on "Real Time" with Bill Maher.
Wish we had a guy like this in Florida.

[yakaria]

If you like reading his post tune into the Thom Hartmann program on Friday afternoons. Hartmann hosts a brunch with Bernie Segment. More info at www.thomha­rtmann,com

[vonPinto]

Great post. I love this out-spoken independent Senator.

[Vanska]

Excellent posting, Sen. Sanders. =) The Right is clueless on what democratic socialism really signifies. But get ready: 'Socialism' is fast becoming the buzzword for the upcoming phase of Mcarthyism II.

[lagumbo]

Great post Sen. Sanders, but that's what I expect and respect from you. Thanks for all your good work in congress.

[Penelope Miller]

Great post and great work Senator Sanders. Thank you!

[doogiedude]

As usual, Senator Sanders provides insightful comments about some of the core problems in our political climate.

IMHO, our society over the last few generations has been programmed by corporate America to believe competition provides the greatest benefit to our society and the results are measured soley by profits.

Consequently, it seems our society is now all about winners and losers, us and them, good and bad, etc...

This results in labeling of people where your either for everything a group stands for and against everything the group is against or your out of the group. This propogates stereotypes, stifles constructive debate, and becomes a platform McCarthyism type movements.

Most concerning effects to me are the essential elimination of rational analysis of issues.

[levi501]

The problem with social government programs is that you have to take from one person to give to another. There is nothing charitable or noble about using the fear of prison to raise funds.

Also, there is not such thing as virtually free health care in Finland as Senator Sanders stipulates. The health care is provided by the rich that pay taxes; the taxes are used for wages of health employees and costs of medical supplies. We should thank the rich for creating so much wealth and then paying for almost 90% of everything the government provides.

[billsmile]

The rich are only rich because of the social structure. Without the society they could not have become rich. They essentially owe everything to the society that enabled them.

[mat3]

If society gets the credit, then why isn't everybody rich?

[coultersnemesis]

this is true--contracts, rule of law, police, prisons, military, these things are all government-run, structural socialist programs--we all pay for them--but they mostly help the property and wealthy classes--enforce their business contracts, provide infrastructure to do business, military to protect their 'interests' all these things, paid for by us all, help the wealthy get wealthier.

without socialist programs the wealthy would not be wealthy; there would be instability and chaos--the enlightened wealthy in the Northern European social democratic countries are smart--they know that if they help pay for good education, they get good workers; if they give back a lil for good healthcare--they get healthy, happier workers who will have more MONEY in their pockets to buy their goods and products. In the US wages are stagnant and are at the same level, adjusted for inflation, as the 1906s' while the top 1% wealth grew much more. Now, we are seeing the effect--slow demand, no one buying homes or buying anymore cheap consumer crap--businesses are hurting, credit cards can't sell their op ium anymore, ya know why??? Cois people don't have the money to spend! They have to pay more to put their kids through school and college; to pay for medical bills, and food. Period. prices go up, but not wages, demand will slow and the economy will hurt. IT's simple people; bottom up. Without the little guy, the rich would be in big trouble.

[vonPinto]

Maybe you need to be reminded of how many heads of the poor and not-too-privilaged were cracked while your so-called rich was making his way to the top.

[Buddy McCue]

The rich don't create any wealth; they only manage it.

Labor creates wealth.

[flossophy]

haha...

The rich have acquired wealth... which they spend on projects which require labor to assist...

But if there were no venture capitalists... the laborers would be waiting outside the home depot university for a longer time...

Buddy McCue... don't fall for rhetoric which pits the masses against the minority... EVEN IF IT IS a wealthy minority... They are humans like you and me. We should not use the State to take away their wealth at confiscatory rates... to redistribute to a political class's constituencies... so as to preserve a power majority. The Democrats = The Catholic Church of Politics...

[ContraEgoiste]

"The problem with social government programs is that you have to take from one person to give to another. "

False dichtonomy based on the well sold lies that in a socialist society half of the people just stand around not producing. Never been the case.

-----

"There is nothing charitable or noble about using the fear of prison to raise funds."

huh? Exactly which of the aforementioned countries do that??

-----

"The health care is provided by the rich that pay taxes...."

a) You are stipulating that the rest of us don't pay taxes.

b) And well they should since they hoard and enjoy the larger portion and best aspects that society has. The society build by the rest of us.

c) The rich whom you worship could only become so because they live(d) within the structure of a society. That they can only build their empires within the structure of a society, and in most cases by exploiting the graces of society. That their~wealth~and power~has~any meaning only because their worth~is~a­cknowledge­d~and~agre­ed~upon~by­~the rest of society. The same society that would not exist without the rest of us.

d) 2/3 of Corps paid no taxes. What did Warren Buffet say "something is amiss when my secretary pays more taxes than I do."

-----

"then paying for almost 90% of everything the government provides."

Woefully misinformed or a blatant lie.

[Artemis34]

The conservative should know all about "transfer of wealth" as that is all they have been engaging in, particularly the last 8 years! They are all for the kind of "transfer of wealth" that takes from the poor and middle class and gives to the rich!

They emptied the public coffers and despite all their praise of competition give jobs and no-bid contracts to cronies. Heck of a job Brownie and showers that electrocute our soldiers where what we got for our money, yes, our public money.

You think only the rich pay taxes in Finland and other social democracies? Get a clue. Everyone pays and everyone enjoys the benefit.

The rich are not creating wealth in the states now for anyone but themselves. Their wealth was created by exploiting workers, the common wealth and resources of this country. They actually owe everything they have to the country! Try to "create wealth" on island, by yourself, without contract with the world at large. You cannot.

I know they want rights without responsibilities. They want gains without losses (Bush & Paulson's TARP).

It is time for all to accept the responsibilities of citizenship and pay their fair share.

[Blukat]

Thank you Mr. Sanders a great piece.I wonder what's not to like about socialism, anyone?

[The Ghost]

It makes greedy people mad.

[flossophy]

I dunno... maybe the 20th century lost 90-120 million people over it... might leave a bad taste in the mouth.

There are some structural flaws that the c0nservatives have noticed over the last 90 years...

[Artemis34]

You are talking about totalitarianism, which is not the same as social democracy. I know conservatives are reliant on fear mongering in their arguments but try to give it a bit of thought.

[RonGallion]

"The trouble with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money." Margret Thacher. How many companies will flee the US? Where will people work if the major companies leave? We have the greatest country in the world, why mess with it? I'll answer that, because we have a hand-out mentality and class envy. There is no such thing as a poor work-alcoholic. Many people are looking for a hand out instead working. They want free health care, they are to stupid to understand free is more expensive for everyone, there is no free. If the USA goes socialist what would separate us for the rest of the world? Where would the world turn to? All I want is for government to stay out of my life. I want to keep what I earn and I want to decide if I want to help out someone that needs it. Government is never the answer it's always the problem .

[bwilder]

The 47 million uninsured cause your insurance rates to go up every year.
Hopsitals and doctors have to be paid to stay in business and the losses
they take in the ER room go to you through your increased insurance
premiums....same with prescription drugs and other health related services
and products....

Your idea that it will be more expensive for everyone is erroneous....it's not
a fact and you can read article upon article and study upon study to find
the truth on this....

I am self employed, have sent one son to college and still have another
studying. I work long and hard everyday. Somtimes seven days a week
and never less than 13 hours a day. I cannot afford health insurance
because I have a pre-existing back injury....I don't want a hand out I just
want some fairness in pricing and policy...

[levi501]

You may not have insurance but you can still go to the doctor and pay right?

[uberliberal]

I'll pay for your back if you pay my mortgage. I can't afford both.

[RonGallion]

Fair enough, Say your primary doctor knows you have no insurance. Say he would start a program that for $75.00 a month you can go to him as often as you want. That would be a solution to this insane socialist healthcare program that Obama want's. As of now that idea is illegal. Because the physician takes Medicare payments.

[Greg White]

Other peoples money and handouts?? The big corporations used our tax money to move their work force out of country, take our tax money, which over 170 corporations don't pay , and buy politicans, on both sides of the aisle.Hand out mentality? we want and deserve decent jobs to make a decent living, corporations take tax breaks and move their money to off shore accounts.Your maybe right about the envy part because no one wants to be poor. There are plenty of under payed work-alcoholics, some with two or three jobs to keep their heads above water. Free medical? why not your right wing politicans, and left too, gave themselves pay raises and medical plans that would make anyone envious. Yeah, I might be a socialist, its gotta be better than a right wing dupe groveling at the feet of Big Money. I would not mind helping you, would you help anyone other than yourself?

[RonGallion]

Corporations have to make money, they have to cut costs, they have to answer to stock holders. Those are your family that have a 401K like me and my family. Most of working America depends on the 401K because if they had a brain in their head they know that medicare and social security will not be there because of Congress looting the fund. Do you think that the government will treat socialist health care any different? No way. My post above yours is a good answer instead of what everyone know will be a disaster if Obama get's his way.

So Corporations get tax breaks, your government has a 66,000 page code, that no one understands and corporations follow the governments rules. If you don't like the tax plan I urge you to look at the Fair Tax plan. By the way I am no right wing, I am an Independent Thinker.

[The Ghost]

There are plenty of poor "workaholics". You just don't know any.

Just another greedy person born on third base who thinks they hit a triple.

[ContraEgoiste]

"...the problem with socialism is eventually they run out of other peoples money...."

False dichtonomy based on the well sold lies that in a socialist society half of the people just stand around not producing.

-----

"There is no such thing as a poor work-alcoholic. Many people are looking for a hand out instead working. "

Full of debunked myths and stereotypes arent you?? heh
What was it that clueless Bush said to the woman that was explaining that she already worked 3 jobs? oh yeah "uniquely American"

Reality, the majority of the poor usually hold 2 or more mack-jobs, with no health care or any benefits, just to make it by.

----

"...If the USA goes socialist what would separate us for the rest of the world? ..."

huh? Outside of being the most uneducated obtuse statement, seems you didn't read the article and are just spewing. Actually the rest of your post just seems to be a collection of uneducated cliches including the following....

"..Government is never the answer it's always the problem ..."

Government is only a problem when in the hands of Republicans / conservatives.

[brobike42]

ContraEgoiste,
Whoever you are, please move to Virginia and run for elected office. I'll vote for you no matter what office. Thank you for your reply to that (ahem) person. My thoughts exactly.

[Bernique]

ContraEgoiste -- Thank you for rebutting RonGallion's right-wing talking points. You make a lot of sense. I listen to Senator Bernie Sanders every Friday on the Thom Hartmann (radio) Program. He always treats the callers with respect, and shines a bright light on his coherent democratic socialist views. I wish we were, as a society, more like Finland. Most of Europe is "democratic socialist", by the way, or were until the Blairs, Sarkosys and Berlusconis came along, via the adoption of "electronic voting machines".

[RonGallion]

Good Health Care is not Free, Free Health Care is not Good

[midwesthousewife]

I am always curious when people say "We have the greatest country in the world", what they are basing that assessment on. Have you traveled widely? Have you lived in another country for an extended length of time? What are your criteria for "greatness"? There are many things done differently in all the countries around the world. The U.S. has faults as well as successes. Can you knowledgably argue your assertion?

[flossophy]

The US is the least distorted country in the world!

Cuba is a distorted country.
Venezuela is a distorted country.
Even Sweden is a distorted country.

The less government distortion = healthier society

20th Century history lesson, over.