Maria Peterson is running for the IL House District 52 seat. Nabeela Syed is running for IL Senate District 26. Currently both choose only to campaign publicly as “Democrats.” | Images courtesy Facebook
Much has been said and written about the, “Democratic Socialists of America (DSA),” in recent months leading to the mid-term elections. Their website states:
“Capitalism is a system designed by the owning class to exploit the rest of us for their own profit. We must replace it with democratic socialism, a system where ordinary people have a real voice in our workplaces, neighborhoods, and society.
We believe there are many avenues that feed into the democratic road to socialism. Our vision pushes further than historic social democracy and leaves behind authoritarian visions of socialism in the dustbin of history.
- We want a democracy that creates space for us all to flourish not just survive and answers the fundamental questions of our lives with the input of all.
- We want to collectively own the key economic drivers that dominate our lives, such as energy production and transportation.
- We want the multiracial working class united in solidarity instead of divided by fear.
- We want to win “radical” reforms like:
- Single-payer Medicare for All,
- Defunding the police/refunding communities,
- The Green New Deal, and
- More as a transition to a freer, more just life.
We want a democracy powered by everyday people. The capitalist class tells us we are powerless, but together we can take back control.”
They have further stated their priorities, including:
- National Labor Commission
- DSA’s National Electoral Commission
- Green New Deal Campaign Commission
- Housing Justice Commission
- International Committee
- Trans Rights & Bodily Autonomy
That’s pretty much all we needed to read to form our opinions, and most who have read these pages for nearly two decades know what they likely are.
However, feel free to visit the Democratic Socialists of America website to learn more so that you might be enlightened before reaching your own opinions before casting your ballots.
Related: “Inside the DSA’s audacious quest for power in the Democratic Party“