While I watched the RNC descend upon Cleveland, seeing people try to get their five seconds of fame on national broadcast TV holding signs that say “Socialism Sucks,” I had to take a moment to address those people who just don’t understand how much democratic socialism (and yes, there’s a difference) helps us every day.
To those ignorant souls, the next time there’s a fire burning your house down, don’t call the fire department, because you know what? They’re a construct of democratic socialism. And the next time you’re being robbed, don’t call the police, because they, too, are a product of democratic socialism. Are you out of a job and needing unemployment benefits? You better not call DSHS, because democratic socialism gave us unemployment insurance. Retired? Send back your Social Security checks and forget about Medicare coverage. Have a job? Stay off those highways, freeways, trains and airports on your way to work. Your kid need a new book? Don’t you dare go to a library. And you better have good money to send them to private or charter school, because public schools are off limits.
Communism is all for one. Socialism is all for all. And democratic socialism is enacting publicly-funded, community-centered, citizen-employed programs; by the people to better suit the people.
Gabe Schmuck
Lake Stevens
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