Karen Tumulty’s Aug. 4 The Take column, “Democratic socialist surge has the movement’s leaders in a celebratory mood, but what’s next?,” was excellent. Many more democratic socialists might be elected to local, state and federal offices in November. Can they make the transition from outspoken critics of capitalism and the American system of government to productive leaders in the governing and legislative processes?
Democratic socialists espouse both good and bad ideas. Political agitating draws attention, but achieving results requires prudence and a willingness to pursue pragmatic compromise.
Tumulty also addressed democratic socialism’s connection with young Americans. Generational appeals have a long history in U.S. politics. Before the War of 1812, young Democratic-Republicans wanted armed conflict with Great Britain, while older leaders in the dominant Jeffersonian-Madisonian party hesitated. In the campaign for the presidential election of 1860, Abraham Lincoln capitalized on the energy of a group of young Republicans called the “Wide Awakes.” In 1960, one of John F. Kennedy’s favorite promises was to “get this country moving again” — a criticism of both parties’ aging leaders after World War II. Barack Obama sought support from young voters in 2008. The most prominent democratic socialist of our time, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), is nearly 85, but he still receives enthusiastic support from younger generations.
The voters will decide whether democratic socialists are electable. If they are, Americans will learn whether they can govern.
Steven S. Berizzi, Norwalk, Connecticut
Socialism, it seems these days, is in the eye of the beholder. The word often means a system whereby workers — or the government — own the tools, factories and resources used to produce goods and provide services. The details of actually executing this concept — along with whether Americans will submit themselves to such un-American ideas — are the flies in the ointment.
A balance between capitalism, which inspires self-motivation and ingenuity, and socialism, which strives to be compassionate to the less fortunate, would maximize the better features of each system while reducing their damaging excesses. In that spirit, it is up to the Democratic Party to decide which socialist candidates to support and which should be ignored. That will be a daunting task.
Craig M. Miller, Leland, North Carolina
I hope that democratic socialists do not promote their own candidate for the presidency. Doing so would split the Democratic vote and allow Republicans to remain in power.
The Democratic Party should remain united. If the party can gain control of the legislative branch, democratic socialists could then work with other Democrats to pursue their goals. But a Democratic Party that is not in control will be ineffectual.
Rose D. Padlan, Kensington
The best sermons need no pulpit
Regarding the Aug. 2 Travel article “Preachers are turning airplanes into pulpits”:
I had a different kind of religious experience on my last flight.
My wife and I were seated for our flight home from Salt Lake City after vacationing this spring in southern Utah when a group of young men and women came down the aisle. By the excitement on each smiling face — and the name tag each one was wearing — I immediately knew who they were and where they were headed. They were Mormons on their way to their voluntary mission assignment somewhere in the world.
As they made their way past us, memories took me back more than 60 years to where I grew up, next door to a small wood-frame Mormon church in Bristol, Virginia. Young missionaries welcomed me into that church’s Boy Scout troop and provided what I needed during that time in my life: not by preaching, but by showing me through their words and actions how to live a life in service to others. The only religious thing I recall about those Boy Scout meetings was our reciting a Bible verse, Matthew 5:16, that encourages living in a way that shines a light on you and your “good works” for all to see.
It seems to me that people who annoy and offend a captive audience with their religious views also shine a light on themselves, but not in a positive way.
Doug R. Widener, Ashburn
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