Source: CounterPunch
by Dean Baker
“It doesn’t seem likely that tens of millions of people have suddenly been grabbing up copies of Karl Marx’s works and become convinced by the insights of his writings. A more plausible story is that for two decades, people have seen Democrats who stand up for programs like Social Security and Medicare being denounced as ‘socialists’ by Republican politicians who want to cut back or eliminate these programs. These programs are overwhelmingly popular with the American people, but especially among Democrats. If voters believe the Republicans’ charge, that people who support these programs are socialists, it is understandable that they would say they have a positive view of socialism. By contrast, Republicans seem to have a qualitatively different view of the role of government.” (08/04/26)