Michael Mooney: It’s economic populism, not socialism — and both parties are missing the point

EDITOR'S NOTE: The views and opinions expressed are those of the writer and not of Ottawa News Network.

I just wanted to comment on all the talk on both sides of the aisle about the term “democratic socialism.”

As I’ve said many times before, the media should’ve labeled it “economic populism.”

With Republicans trying to conjure up the boogeyman with the “socialist,” “communist,” godless devils from our enemies within.

It does not surprise me that most of, if not all of, the MAGA FOX-watching gullible sheep are buying this crap from the same guy and his sycophants who sold them “ending the Ukraine-Russia war with one phone call” and “I’ll make the economy better on day one” and “no more endless wars,” to name three of their gazillion lies.

What does surprise me, though, is the number of Democrats who are coming out against these “democratic socialist” candidates that, by the way, are winning most, if not all, of the primaries they run in.

It surprises me that Democrats are also so dumb that they think that middle-of-the-road candidates and their strongly worded letters are going to stop the degradation of our democracy.

What don’t Democrats get? The populace is sick and tired. Sick because healthcare in this country is only for those with money. And God forbid any of them are looking for insurance when they have pre-existing conditions that insurers won’t cover.

They are tired because both parents need to work — sometimes two jobs just to survive. Not to mention gas, a job that pays more than $30/hour? Ha! Utilities, and food? Housing? Retirement? Vacations? Ha!

As Mr. Abdul El-Sayed, a senatorial candidate from our state, says: “In the richest country in the history of the world, life should not be this hard.”

The “democratic socialists” are for what the Democratic Party used to be about before it, too, was bought off by huge money PACs and corporate lobbyists.
DS’s want healthcare for all. It is an American right, not a privilege.

They want good schools, not just the private ones that the rich can afford. They want economic freedom from the corporate banks, retailers, and healthcare providers; they don’t want data centers and coal-burning power. They want an environment that is clean and safe for their children to grow and thrive in.

They want millionaires and billionaires and trillionaires to pay their fair share proportionally. Why doesn’t our country have the money to do these things? We do! It’s just spent on tax breaks for the rich (can anyone say "Big Beautiful Bill?"). It’s spent on bombing anyone who disagrees with us, including innocent women and children. And now we pay money to other countries to bomb the hell out of the countries that don’t agree with them, too!

None of this makes any sense to me. To me, a step in the right direction would be to get money out of our political systems.

Second would be to have a national healthcare system like Medicare for All.

Third would be to break up the monopolies that have so much money and influence that they buy elections and the law. Should the Epstein class not pay for their crimes? These monopolies charge us whatever they want when we have no recourse because those representatives in Congress represent the monopolies, not us.

And fourth, how about we think about who we elect? How intelligent are they. Does their past show honesty, integrity? Do their actions prove they have morals, values and ethics? These are the things that “democratic socialists” are for.

If you want to continue the rich getting richer. If you want to continue to get swindled on a daily basis, if you are afraid that the boogeyman “socialists” are going to run our country into the ground, then don’t vote for those candidates.

But if you believe in the things I mentioned above and want a better America, then join with me and vote for another American revolution that will make life easier and make us more proud.

And for those of you who probably think that I am a radical leftist who wants to destroy our country, you would be wrong. You would probably be surprised to find that I love my country — that’s why I speak out.

I love capitalism, but without guardrails it has been bastardized into something else entirely. Capitalism has given me many opportunities that I probably wouldn’t have had in other countries. I do not have a college degree, but I am a former business owner. And, yes, I consider myself wealthy.

So don’t think I don’t like money. I just want it to go to the common good, not the oligarchy that is now in place. Get out and vote!

— Michael Mooney is a resident of Holland.

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