General Discussion

QueerDuck

(2,329 posts)

67. Exactly. He who's explaining and defining... is losing.

Mon Jul 6, 2026, 12:47 PM

Yesterday

In the far corners of the internet, and elsewhere online and youtube, I've seen many things that sound and read like:

"Well, I’m a socialist, but not a socialist socialist. I believe in socialism, but also a heavily regulated, Nordic-style capitalism, which is actually more socialist than capitalist, except for the parts that aren't. So I call myself a Democratic Socialist. Now, technically, 'Democratic' is modifying 'Socialist' here, which makes me a type of socialist, not a type of Democrat, so my branding is already working against my electoral viability in a swing district. I realize using 'Democratic' as an adjective makes it sound like I'm prioritizing the socialism part (which I am, theoretically) but pragmatically, I’m a Democrat who just wants the government to own the means of data production. Not all production, obviously. Just the servers. But don't worry, I’m absolutely not a communist... unless we are talking about municipal broadband, health insurance, and AI data centers, which we should definitely nationalize tomorrow. But like, in a totally market-friendly, decentralized way that requires a 45-minute PowerPoint presentation to explain to a moderate voter at a supermarket."

...followed by...

"I don't want to overthrow the system; I just want to nationalize the tech sector, decommodify housing, and restructure the global economy. But in a gentle, non-threatening, suburb-approved way. See? It makes total sense if you just take the time to read this 80-page manifesto I brought with me."

... and finally...

"So... in conclusion... I'm not a communist, I’m just a guy who thinks Karl Marx had some solid points about cloud storage. Why is everyone walking away? I haven't even explained our stance on worker-owned bakeries yet!"

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enigmania

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Highlight:

How to handle the Democrat equals Communist Bull Shit: [View all] Chasstev365 Yesterday OP

the proud boys will not be at our doors to discuss graduate school philosophy rampartd Yesterday #1

lol - grad school philosophy? TBF Yesterday #23

The response was about likelihood of an academic discussion with Proud Boys and MAGAts Roy Rolling 22 hrs ago #94

The point was the content, not the reading level. nt TBF 21 hrs ago #95

But only in groups! enigmania 18 hrs ago #103

When talking to the immature, one must speak at their level. liberal N proud 16 hrs ago #104

I thought dems were socialist? Now we are communists? Do they know ,? Srkdqltr Yesterday #2

i got called a communist pinko pig in high school by my rop instructor. i wear thatt badge proudly!!!!!! AllaN01Bear Yesterday #40

There isn't a Republican alive who knows the damn difference anymore, if they ever did. They've been pushing this shit Karasu 21 hrs ago #96

Yes i know. Srkdqltr 20 hrs ago #99

I have heard MAGAts use them together describing Democrats liberal N proud 16 hrs ago #105

Exactly! LakeVermilion Yesterday #3

"I'm becoming a believer in a flat income tax rate for everyone with no deductions." MichMan Yesterday #12

You'd be surprised what the "investor class" - TBF Yesterday #24

I'm in. Joinfortmill Yesterday #34

The rich typically have little "income" as it is defined in the tax code. harumph Yesterday #15

This is exactly why we need and must implement a wealth tax in place of the income tax... Moostache Yesterday #35

I could not have elaborated on this better. harumph Yesterday #41

How would total wealth be calculated? MichMan Yesterday #65

First off you'd need to define "wealth" - TBF Yesterday #75

So, we don't want people to associate Democrat with Communist, but reference the writings of Karl Marx ? MichMan Yesterday #76

Lol - I have never disparaged Marx - that's all you TBF Yesterday #77

Marx correctly diagnosed a problem - even though the proposed cure was no good. harumph Yesterday #80

I'd be happy with simply going after financial assets. KPN 20 hrs ago #97

Excellent summary of where we're at. nt TBF Yesterday #73

hence "the rich need to pay their fair share in taxes" Skittles Yesterday #86

A flat tax harms the poorest of us the most Bettie Yesterday #56

100%. nt TBF Yesterday #85

I don't think it's anything to get worked up about Kaleva Yesterday #4

Even fewer know what an oligarch is. MichMan Yesterday #53

With probably little effect Kaleva Yesterday #71

If you are explaining why you aren't a communist, you are losing. gab13by13 Yesterday #5

So let Fox the GOP give you a label and do nothing so it sticks with idiot voters Chasstev365 Yesterday #9

I'm a Democrat, I support Democrats gab13by13 Yesterday #79

Calling them idiots and ignoring them hasn't exactly been working for the past 30 years either. meadowlander 22 hrs ago #93

Personally, I would just LMAO..... lastlib Yesterday #6

Simple explanation: There are some things we can agree to share the cost of - Ocelot II Yesterday #7

We currently have all of that under the current status quo MichMan Yesterday #52

Yes, but the whole point is to avoid calling any of it socialism, Ocelot II 23 hrs ago #91

I'm not a pedophile! (Logic and discussion are cbabe Yesterday #8

Easier: "Define communist/communism". No? Bye." niyad Yesterday #10

Exactly. He who's explaining and defining... is losing. QueerDuck Yesterday #67

Actually, that was not what I meant at all. When someone uses those niyad 19 hrs ago #100

Yes. My point was to agree with you... that Democrats (or liberals, or progressives) should... QueerDuck 19 hrs ago #102

Not afraid of Randall (republicans) anymore Blue Full Moon Yesterday #11

I say they've only won 3 primaries out of the whole country creeksneakers2 Yesterday #13

But they are using a handful of candidates who call themselves socialists. SamuelAdams Yesterday #14

They call themselves Democratic Socialists, not Socialists Wiz Imp Yesterday #18

lol - they'll just come up with something else to call them TBF Yesterday #26

The upcoming general election will pit candidates with an "R" behind their name against candidates with a "D"... Escape Yesterday #16

Don't say New Deal SocialDemocrat61 Yesterday #17

I always say I like the Nordic model. That usually shuts them up. Joinfortmill Yesterday #36

Nordic? SocialDemocrat61 Yesterday #42

Oh, for heaven sakes. Joinfortmill Yesterday #54

Shouldn't we recognize SocialDemocrat61 Yesterday #58

I'm talking about the economic sytem... Joinfortmill Yesterday #64

And the term Nordic SocialDemocrat61 Yesterday #68

I didn't create the name. It can be used to develop a basis Joinfortmill Yesterday #69

So why shouldn't we come up with a better SocialDemocrat61 Yesterday #72

Editorial or a cite? Torchlight Yesterday #59

Both and neither SocialDemocrat61 Yesterday #60

Editorial. Torchlight Yesterday #61

Yes, SocialDemocrat61 Yesterday #62

Or anyone else under 100 years old. BannonsLiver Yesterday #82

More importantly, a majority of Americans don't know what the New Deal is. progressoid 13 hrs ago #106

Very true SocialDemocrat61 4 hrs ago #109

It really should not be hard to show people why they should be way more afraid of billionaires and... Ol Janx Spirit Yesterday #19

Sounds good in theory BUT, Dave Id Yesterday #20

Agree. When someone refuses to accept basic facts and reality, there spooky3 Yesterday #31

How about this angle MoseShrute Yesterday #21

Given current beef, coffee and gas prices Torchlight Yesterday #22

I don't believe in capitalism Farmer-Rick Yesterday #25

Exactly capitalism needs poor people in order for that system to exist Alpeduez21 Yesterday #29

Gee, there are some capitalist countries out there with robust safety nets... harumph 23 hrs ago #90

Exactly right. Those countries have the "safety nets" but very few folks are falling into them. FadedMullet 19 hrs ago #101

Here's the problem with capitalism Farmer-Rick 4 hrs ago #110

Yet, there appear to be many countries that somehow successfully regulate their particular capitalist system harumph 2 hrs ago #111

Maybe the Dems in charge could get on board with the reality that socialist Dems are what the voters want Alpeduez21 Yesterday #27

Communism for billionaires keeps the oligarchs afloat bucolic_frolic Yesterday #28

"In Communism, the government owns businesses (the means of spooky3 Yesterday #30

A 5th Grader could look up and understand the definition of "communist" William Seger Yesterday #32

I like it. Short and simple. Even these bums can get it. Joinfortmill Yesterday #33

Actually just let him ramble Blue Full Moon Yesterday #37

Stop telling people you are a socialist Boo1 Yesterday #38

Way Simpler ProfessorGAC Yesterday #39

Nope. Being affirmative with an unassailable label... reACTIONary Yesterday #46

Nope - What I Said Is Not A Denial ProfessorGAC Yesterday #63

What about both? The accusations about communists are stupid lies..... reACTIONary Yesterday #74

That's Pretty Good ProfessorGAC Yesterday #78

How defensive. That's a losing approach. David__77 Yesterday #43

As opposed to what? What would your approach be? reACTIONary Yesterday #47

Go on the attack on something else. David__77 Yesterday #83

So, do a "pivot" to avoid .... reACTIONary Yesterday #87

Yes he wants to play word games instead of talking about material issues David__77 23 hrs ago #88

Excellent! Avoid the socialist smear.... reACTIONary Yesterday #44

No Cirsium Yesterday #45

Found this on Facebook catbyte Yesterday #48

Time to call Trump/GOP Nazis DemocracyForever Yesterday #49

Great advice, totally logical and reasonable. But MAGAts will never accept the Democrats aren't communists because Martin68 Yesterday #50

Hand them a dictionary? krawhitham Yesterday #51

We also need to attack: Here are three reasons why we say the Republican Party has been taken over by fascists... Doodley Yesterday #55

Dem counties produce 70% of US economy. GOP counties contribute just 29%. blm Yesterday #57

Keep it simple Blumancru Yesterday #66

You're going to be a "communist" to them no matter what you say ck4829 Yesterday #70

This. Been that way for like 80 years. Why are people acting like this is news? This is the oldest trick in the book. Karasu 20 hrs ago #98

Jesus H Christ BannonsLiver Yesterday #81

also add... mdbl Yesterday #84

Basically a Democratic Capitalist. hadEnuf 23 hrs ago #89

Stay clear of Party for Socialism and Liberation. They are the communist party and trying infiltrate the LeftInTX 23 hrs ago #92

I like it. Timeflyer 6 hrs ago #107

"Tell me exactly what is so radical about that?" OldBaldy1701E 6 hrs ago #108