Calling democratic socialists "communists' echoes the 1950s Red Scare. Will it work in 2026? It might with those of a certain age, but also there are those who may also remember McCarthyism went down in flames as the BS was exposed. However, there is a note of caution: within the Democratic Socialist banner, there are those who may deserve to be feared and should be marginalized.
As MAGA tries to digest the recent wins of democratic socialists (of the Bernie Sanders type, ye gads) in a limited number of blue urban legislative districts, including Denver, they are going bonkers and screeching that they are all communists... exhibiting both their ignorance of any differences within the movement itself and accepting the reality on the ground that many see their standard of living declining. There is a lack of awareness that Trump is taking them in a fascist-like direction as well.
The current success of the democratic socialist candidates is based on the failure of both major political parties to address the growing gap between the very rich and the rest of us and a realization by many that their standard of living is declining. The word "affordability" of groceries, home ownership, and energy identified the symptoms, if not the cause.
This "celebration" of the 250th anniversary of our democracy on July 4 is dampened by an awareness of many that the greatest danger to the kind of democracy we have known for those 250 years is Donald Trump and his loyal band of followers. Never before have we had a government that is planning to use our intelligence and FBI services to interfere in our domestic elections. It is an opportunity to educate voters about democracy and what the real threat to its existence is in 2026: fascism
Be aware that there are elements in the democratic socialist movement that indeed support the communist model and ideology. Not all are of the Bernie Sanders or even the FDR type. FDR's greatest contribution was permitting some socialist ideas to be enacted, but also kept capitalism as the foundational economic system. I count myself in the FDR tradition. The Atlantic recently raised a red flag: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/07/dsa-communist-socialist-democrats/
The only antidote to communism or fascism is democracy, which is the ultimate enemy of dictatorships, the kind of governing methods shared by both communists and fascists.The Democratic Party's antidote is to propose a realistic, believable platform to make life more affordable. So far they have been consumed by attacks on Trump and his cohorts. They must position themselves as the ones who can best address the affordability issue: this may involve adopting some of the positive solutions to the affordability issue proposed by the democratic socialists, while reaffirming a well-regulated capitalism as the basic economic system of America.
In jeopardy is Democracy, which Trump has set about dismantling step by step by circumventing or defying the rule of law and replacing it with rule by him. He is doing it with a power-bloated executive branch, assembled with a concerted effort in one year with the help of his 6-3 Supreme Court, suppression of potentially unfriendly voters and media, use of fear and revenge to discipline anyone not 100% loyal to him, whipping Congress into yes nodders, and partial control over the Supreme Court. All of this is coupled with his alliance with oligarchs and white nationalist racism. and condoning violence by ICE and Jan.6ers,.. These are classic characteristics of fascism.
A note about Colorado: A mixed result due to a variety of factors. An attempt to condemn democratic socialists as being antisemitic was not an issue, since those winning Democratic primaries included Jews, including Phil Weiser for governor, replacing another Jewish governor, outgoing Jared Polis. Those who won, like Jena Griswold, current Secretary of State, trounced her three opponents for Attorney General(in Grand County, over 53% and statewide over 46% of the total) and Weiser(Attorney General) ,, had shown energy, skill, and determination and won in protecting voter integrity from Trump's attempt to take state control over the process, including the Tina Peters case. Rep. Jason Crow (D -CO) said it best on MSNOW the day after the election: Colorado wanted a street fighter against Trump and defeated multi-term Congressman Diana DeGette and Sen.Michael Bennet, who lost the primary for Governor, had not shown sufficient shrillness, energy, or alarm over the Trump attack on democracy. In Hickenlooper, always a personally popular figure and incumbent, always sort of a steady, benign Mr. Smith-goes-to-DC incumbent Senator, handily won his primary of the vote against a more leftist opponent. That deviates from a "street fighter" pattern.
Democratic Socialist Melat Kiros, who ousted Diana DeGette, a liberal multi-term incumbent, surged at the last moment as she threaded the anti-semitic issue by professing strong support and protection of her "Jewish brothers and sisters, while also condemning the Israeli government regarding Gaza and future funding. Her religious affiliation is unknown, likely with Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity like others with Ethiopian roots. Kiros immigrated as a child and grew up in Denver.
The large Denver demographics of young voters, not at all bothered by the term "socialism", hurt by high housing costs and student loans, and disgusted with incumbents who don't care about their pain enough, were a major factor in Kiros' win. I will be following her closely through the general election. She is an extremely talented political presence. Like many cities, Denver is its own unique self, not necessarily like the rest of the state.
https://coloradonewsline.com/2026/07/02/how-melat-kiros-stunned-colorado-politics/The endorsement of Kiros by Bernie Sanders (a Democratic socialist) was a major factor in her win in Denver. Sanders carries much weight in the city and nearby area. While not a candidate in 2024, endorsing Biden instead, he and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez held an enormous "Fighting Oligarchy" rally at Civic Center Park in March 2025, drawing an estimated 30,000 to 34,000 attendees
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