Why, why, why do the freshly-elected “new wave” of progressives want to take down the only political party capable of evicting the current occupants of the WH? History keeps repeating itself: Democrats win a big victory against a corrupt GOP and immediately take steps to make sure the pendulum swings back in the next cycle.

The last election confirmed that moderates make up the vast majority of the electorate. If you break down issues and solutions properly, you can convince moderate voters to take reasonable action towards incrementally more progressive solutions. Propose radical changes that moderates do not understand or that trigger identity politics (stoked by the opposition) and you will quickly find yourself back in the minority watching ultra-conservative judges take life-long appointments that will set back your fight by decades.

Is capitalism the source of all evil in the world? Really? Or could it be that maybe it is crony capitalism (i.e. the actions of unethical/immoral capitalists and politicians) that is the real problem in this country?

We desperately need to address income inequality, health care and corruption. These are issues that can be addressed within the current framework for those with the will to fight…first by mitigating the influence of big money on our policy making with things like campaign finance reform (the root of many of these symptoms).

Any public discussion about replacing capitalism with socialism is political suicide and is far too nuanced to have any impact/meaning in front of the general public. Without a universally-accepted framework for terms like “capitalism” or “socialism” (in a world of bumper-sticker tweeting media) it is a debate that only exists in think tanks and college classrooms.

Capitalism has been in place since the birth of our nation and has accelerated growth during the Our economic system has served us well…disproportionately, but nevertheless has improved life for most Americans (and the world) over the past

Within our economic system, we have developed socialist programs (e.g., Social Security) to help those in need. Without the economic growth spurred by our economic system, these socialist programs would not have been possible.

Capitalism and socialism are broad terms that are not (necessarily) mutually exclusive…so why force this false dichotomy?

The most effective way to improve the quality of life for all is non-market reform socialism not revolution. To talk realistically about a socialist take-over of capitalism is not only foolish, it is dangerous. Barring a full-blown (and violent) revolution, it isn’t going to happen. We barely have enough wisdom and support to pull-off a market-based band aid reform of health-care…and you want the world and you want it now? Cue “Street Fighting Man” and protest all you want. It ain’t gonna happen. The wheels of democracy turn slowly. Patience and persistence are the virtues to follow.