To the Editor:
Re “Socialism? Capitalism? Who Cares!,” by E.J. Dionne Jr. (Opinion guest essay, July 21):
Naturally, the Republican Party and its media allies would rather make the midterms a “capitalism versus socialism” debate than a referendum on Republican governance. They have already crowned New York’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, the king of blue America and will no doubt spend the next 14 weeks re-enacting the Red Scare of the 1950s.
Don’t be surprised if a few democratic socialists join the show. Those who see the demise of capitalism as a moral imperative may find the chance to preach on a national stage worth risking their party’s congressional seats. And if manufactured panic on the right gives democratic socialism added buzz — or even an aura of inevitability — isn’t that something any revolutionary movement would prize?
Michael Smith Georgetown, Ky.
To the Editor:
Old habits die hard. We have to stop associating the word socialism with the big scary Soviet Union that was going to drop nukes on us at any second. That association is the only reason we can even refer to this as a debate — and the debate was actually over long ago.
Nearly every country in the world today has a mixture of capitalism and socialism. Even in Communist China, the means of production are jointly owned by the government and private capitalists. Let’s get over it and start debating what’s the best way to blend the two.
How is capitalism doing at managing health care? Not very well, compared with Europe, where it is to a great extent controlled by governments. How is capitalism doing at constructing adequate housing? We’ve got plenty of mansions and not enough starter homes.
America could use less capitalism and more socialism.
John M. Talbot Meriden, Conn.
To the Editor:
It is good that there is a quest to ensure that American workers are justly rewarded for their work and that there is a desire that the fruits of capitalism help all. What seems to be missing among those who champion worker rights is concern for the health of the companies that are the source of the wealth they wish to be distributed.
We consistently hear people like Shawn Fain, the president of the United Auto Workers, and his cohort say they are fighting for the American work force to have good pay, full benefits and good working conditions. We seldom, if ever, hear them say, “We want to make good products, to satisfy customers and help build successful thriving companies.”
What we so frequently get instead is a poorly made product and a customer service representative located somewhere on the other side of the world when we call for help with an item that doesn’t work.
Tim Pasquarelli Anthem, Ariz.
To the Editor:
In much of Europe, democratic socialism or social democracy means universal health care, strong public education, worker protections, pensions and a larger social safety net — all operating alongside private businesses and democratic elections. In the United States, however, the term socialism is often associated with the Soviet Union, communism, government ownership or authoritarianism.
To undo this prejudice, we would have to educate the average American about global politics and history, and quite frankly, I think many don’t want to listen or learn.
Alexandra Lynn Columbus, Ohio
To the Editor:
The problem with the term “democratic socialism” is twofold: Older voters have strongly negative associations with socialism, and it erases the distinction between state ownership and economic liberalism in the minds of younger voters.
The Democrats have finally come around to understanding that what the party needs to regain power is a shift to an emphasis on economic fairness, and that is encouraging. But I wish the Democratic Socialists would rename their party the Social Democrats, which, as the article points out, is what most Democratic Socialists actually are.
Joshua P. Hill New London, Conn.
To the Editor:
In the last election, Republicans did not debate labels for their party or opine about abstract issues. They picked a few issues, like immigration and abortion, and stayed focused on those, adding vague promises, while hammering their contempt for President Joe Biden’s failed policies.
Obviously, they will keep repeating that formula, since it has led to their total control of our government. And unless Democrats have learned some basic lessons from their defeat last time, they might be headed for another shellacking.
William Goodman Mabel, Minn.
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