Democratic socialism: What happens to liberty?
Wall Street Journal editorial board member and Potomac Watch columnist Kimberley Strassel’s recent article, “The Rise of Democratic Socialism,” appears in Imprimis, Hillsdale College’s free monthly speech digest. She argues that democratic socialists are gaining influence within the Democratic Party and that inadequate education in history, civics and economics leaves Americans, especially young Americans, poorly prepared to understand how these policies could endanger their families’ futures.
Democratically run elections determine who gets elected to exercise governmental power. Constitutional limits protect us from how that power might be used, regardless of which party wins.
In 2008, then-candidate Barack Obama promised fundamental transformation. What did this transformation mean for individual liberty? Today, the DSA proposes changing the constitutional structure of our republic itself.
The Democratic Socialists of America’s published program on its website calls for abolishing the Senate and Electoral College and replacing the president and Supreme Court with an executive and judiciary chosen by, and subordinate to, Congress. That would fundamentally change the division of power designed to protect our liberty. If Congress controlled those who execute the laws and those who judge them, what independent authority would protect the individual from Congress itself?
You might be thinking this could never happen in America. Yet the DSA’s own election tracker lists at least 67 candidates it backed who have won primaries or elections this year, including seven U.S. House candidates.
Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez support democratic socialist candidates. Former President Obama is scheduled to campaign with Abdul El-Sayed, whom Strassel describes as socialist-aligned.
Promises of affordability through “free” goods and services should never excuse surrendering the constitutional protections that preserve our individual liberty and freedom.
Vote Republican.