No one on the left, not even Bernie Sanders, seriously advocates pure non-tempered socialism.
And no one on the right, if they are in their right minds, will advocate pure unregulated capitalism.
Do some research on the terms social democracy and democratic capitalism, and you will find that these “middle of the road” economic philosophies are common-sense solutions that will bring about a strong healthy economy while preserving the American dream with a valid implementation of government of, by and for the people.
The wealthy, through their wholly owned GOP, will tell you that socialism, in any form, will destroy the economy and America.
The truth is, without a healthy dose of socialism in our capitalism, the only thing not destroyed will be the bank balances of the 1 percent.
But that is exactly what those in the 1 percent who are overcome with greed and the lust for power want to happen.
Do not hate the wealthy for having successfully made it to the top of the ladder of success. Hate them for trying to pull that ladder up behind them so that no one else can follow.
The 1 percent did not become wealthy in the absence of opportunity and government regulation.
Even if they inherited their wealth, most likely someone in their ancestry were the first to become wealthy, and unless they immigrated from another country already wealthy, being in the land of opportunity and government regulation had a big part in their success.
David A. Desautel,
Sequim