Crowley beats Hong ; moderates surge in squeakers over democratic socialists. Now what, Dems?

This morning, young voters probably feel like the air was let out of their tires. The "progressive" movement vs the establishment, the enthusiasm this generated in recent primaries, and the appeal to grassroots activism have suddenly met resistance, with squeaker results of some close wins and some close losses. El-Sayed in Michigan's close win and Hong's in Wisconsin's close loss show the limits of the "progressive left".  https://www.npr.org/2026/08/12/nx-s1-5927119/2026-minnesota-governor-primary-election-crowley-hong  

Take heart, young voters. A message to younger generations from one of the (not so) silent generation.   Realize that, win or lose, the Democratic Party cannot win without your support because you did so well in bringing new blood of ideas,  young legs,  and talented candidates into a "big tent" that had become filled with the old, creaky, cranky, and geriatric. Your success will and cannot be ignored. Take a deep breath and know that a MAGA victory in November would be the worst outcome you could experience.  Also realize that to win those close races in November,  the "establishment" will have to embrace so many of the issues you raised, like affordability, or they, too, will lose to MAGA if they do not. 

 Pollsters took a bath, failing to pick up on last-minute waves of pragmatism driving ." the establishment" to crash the party's growing infatuation with Democratic Socialists and those progressives who embraced parts of the DSA plank. It appeared to the pragmatists that the rise of the progressive left and the ideology of Democratic socialism were a gift to MAGA in the general election, setting up their defense loaded with messages of fear and hate.   There is a split in the progressives: those who do support the platform of the DSA and those who still support capitalism with reforms. Reform or revolution is a dividing distinction. However, both share the pocketbook issues and offer similar legislative solutions for those who saw their inability to cope with day-to-day economic demands. Call those left behind "workers", the "middle class", or " ordinary Americans", both DSA and the establishment wings of the Democratic Party are in sync on pocketbook issues, and if all factions keep their messaging focused on solutions to those issues, they will still succeed in November. 

 It also appears that older and wiser moderates awoke at the last minute to the danger of the extremism of the DSA's plank, with its anti-capitalist and pro-Gaza message.  "Moderates and establishment feared the very progressive candidates were a gift of attack ads material to MAGA candidates in purple states in the November general election.  The demise of MAGA power had been the assumption that fueled Democrats' hopes of a takeover of the House, Senate, and state houses, but now the fear was that too-progressive candidates would be more easily defeated in the upcoming general election.  MAGA was beginning to see some blood in the water and was salivating at the prospect of keeping control of DC as they began to paint the entire Democratic Party as a bunch of communists.  If any air was let out of the tires, the strength of the establishment in the Democratic Party and the willingness of the factions to work to gather in a common cause of a Democratic Party victory, MAGA may be feeling a letdown, too, today.

This moment reminded me of the early years of my own political activism in the 1960's and 1970's. I, too, embraced candidates with cutting ideas that shook "the establishment" out of their post world war II slumber: What I did realize, however, if any of my ideas had a chance to succeed, it would take compromise and many half a loaf victories for the issues I  and so many of those like me, had supported   Those ssues many of us supported were consumer rights, city is for people, mass transit, fighting destruction of neighborhoods,  more sensitivity to environmental and quality of life issues, and, of course, civil rights and inclusiveness. The brown cloud of air pollution had become the city's infamous hallmark nationwide. Many of these issues and their solutions were absorbed into the goals and policies of subsequent leaders in Denver, thanks first to the election of Mayor  Federico Peña and then all those who succeeded him to this day.  

There is an issue that cannot be overlooked in these next few months: the reasons these liberal urban ideas took root were that we had a democratic form of government that permitted equal time media coverage and the political organization skills of those who initially challenged the existing big-city boss form of government.  For that reason, fundamentally, supporting democracy in the form we have known it and democratic institutions allows new ideas to be accepted.  The idea of autocracy, dictatorship, and suppression of political opposition are the basic enemies that will cripple reform and the implementation of new goals.  MAGA and Trump himself are the enemies of this vision of democracy, because they try to upend our democratic form of government that enables good ideas to rise like cream to the top.  Young progressives should not lose sight of that fact and include the defense of democracy in their priorities. 

Updaate: 8/14/2026 If there were any doubts about the importance of democracy to those who want to protest,  look at what happened in Minnesota. After the murder of two demonstrators by ICE, Homeland Security investigated the protestors, not the ICE agents, using techniques and tactics characteristic of communist and fascist regimes, including modern technology, infiltration, espionage, and name gathering/finances of organizing entities. They found nothing to use to publish or to even prosecute, but they now know, for future reference, who they can suppress or prosecute on bogus charges in the future. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/13/briefing/immigration-supremecourt-jews.html

To believe that government is for one economic class or race or religion is the greatest enemy we face today if we want a peaceful, prosperous tomorrow in our multi-cultural, multi-racial nation. Elements in both the DSA and MAGA are guilty of promoting to powerful positions only those who are very much like them and suppressing or disadvantaging the " others".   All need a fair shot at getting their voices heard. Democracy provides the mechanics and hope for that to occur.

The American political system forces compromise and embracing of new ideas at the local and national level early in the election cycle.   Primaries are very important, and in the long run, the math counts. The bigger the tent, the more the numbers add up, and it is more likely that those appealing to the most voters win the seats of power that enable the implementation of their agenda.

In wake of success of democraic socialist candidates, the right goes bonkers:..communists.. they shout. rev;i7/5/2026

 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

GOP: Be careful what you wish as Trumpism trashes affordaiblity and regulatory enforcement

 GOP: Be careful what you wish as Trumpism trashes affordability and regulatory enforcement. Last week, I caught a panel of experts on Stephanie Ruhle's new AM show on MSNow, who concluded it was the wild, wild west on Wall Street. That is a scary potential for our future becoming a crash and trash. In the present era, that is a threatening cloud on the horizon, but now the new threat du jour the GOP sees is democratic socialism.  In the wake of Democratic socialist candidates winning so much in the Democratic primaries last week in New York,, the right wing has found a new cause and has launched a political attack with howls of glee to paint all Democrats as the equivalent of communists (an echo of red scare tactic of the 1950's termonloty not heard by most voters who were not even born in the McCarthy era; it could work with some, though.. The GOP is not without its own wings, like de facto fascists and white nationalists.  The political discourse is now as wild as Wall Street.  New York is New York, and New York has never swung like the rest of the US,  and all politics is very local there, so let's get a grip on reality.

 If capitalism fears democratic socialism, it has only its own excesses to blame, but the GOP is hoping most voters, their own especially, remain ignorant of what is and what is not democratic socialism. or communism, for that matter.  I'll leave that defining and name-calling to others and instead focus on what is happening, however, is reality, and who is feeling it. Unlike what Trumpists tout,  Dow is not the measure that counts if resentment grows, because 80% of the economy is driven by what consumers do and feel. Consumer confidence is now in the dumps per polls. That gets reflected in political action and votes., Politically, there is a growing resentment that the "affordability" that middle-class consumers treasure is slipping from their grasp, and they are pointing the blame at those in power. and who are becoming trillionaires. The voters' buck stops there.  Even some MAGA supporters are realizing that Trump betrayed them with his promises to lower their cost of living (AKA affordability).

 There is an old truism: action creates reaction; To put it another way, extreme action begets extreme reaction.  Capitalism is now facing a backlash of its own successes of the few,, causing the rise in political power of democratic socialism of many...  For that, capitalism has only itself to blame. Capitalism also has the ability to address the anger it has caused... to observe the reforms resulting from the 2008 crash or. Due to Trump's public policies that favor the rich and his disdain for their pain, however, the concept that business can regulate itself flies in the face of humanity's great weakness: greed. Get it while the getting is good; never mind tomorrow. The will to self-regulate, or for the government to impose constraints on their excesses, does not exist, and consumers resent the results. As investors and Wall Street love their gains, ordinary people are just feeling their own loss in living standards.

.The near-death of regulation is a ticking time bomb that has not yet been felt. Are we about to repeat the financial crash of 2008 or the scams of Bernie Madoff? Both are epic examples of a government's failure to enforce regulations. earlier in this century.  Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it is never more true than in the world of economics. The Trump regime is simply repeating what caused the 2008 crash and victims like those of Mdoff. The lack of regulatory enforcement. The result then was a strong backlash, evidenced by legislative reforms aimed at preventing a recurrence of the 2008 debacle.  Laws without enforcement are not worth the paper they are printed on.

I got this response to above from a FB friend...claiming i was against capitalism. After all, he opined, socialism has failed every place it has tried. It does not work.Ye, gads...the blanket indictment of democratic socialism that it does not work...is really divorced from reality in Europe and they hate communism. ,too. They know the difference. Get a grip on yourself: My family has been in the transatlantic business for years and intensely so now. This right-wing trope has no resemblance to reality. This is not to say that the US should ditto Europe, but half my family lives in Europe, and I even have a granddaughter who left the US to escape student debt, and frankly, really likes health care and the quality of life, and the economy of Austria. She works in tech, a data analysis program to provide marketing information to the thriving private businesses in Europe. She got her undergrad and grad degrees with no student debt hangover. There is no place like Vienna for a quality of life.  Also, within recent years, I visited Norway. Trump's invitation for immigrants from there has no takers. But it gave them a belly laugh. Why? Every poll I have seen calls countries like these (democratic and socialist) are the happiest in the world. It is all relative, of course, ... But I also know the reasons Europeans hate communism is what they have seen and experienced firsthand, that the economic system of a centrally controlled one-party failed. Instead of communism, the governments of Eastern Europe first replaced communism with something resembling fascism. until they, like Ukraine, revolted to join the EU, and western capitalism, warts and all, partially socialistic and regulated, but basically capitalistic. Taken as a whole, its economy is a rival to the US. 

.Russia and its kin run on the support of oligarchs and corruption and fear.. Trump worships Putin. He is a fascist in his heart, as one former military aide said. But as a small business person myself, and a family that includes Harvard MBAs and entrepreneurs, the current regime of Trump cares not a whit for us little guys. and entrepreneurs..and favors the millionaires,and those who contributed to them with loyalty and money... and I am surprised you do not know it. I love capitalism, but only if it is well-regulated to keep it stable, predictable, and and competitive based on performance, not fealty to some great leader.,.There must also be some force to fill the cracks that capitalism, based on profit, cannot and will not provide, such as health care, social security, and basic affordability, while balancing the ability of the spirit of innovation, risk-taking, and freedom that capitalism provides. It is a balancing act. Without that, expect democratic socialists to pick up steam because that balance has been jeopardized by Trump and his band of billionaires, his personal greed, his third finger raised against the rule of law, his amassing of federal power, and an attempted rule by fear and retribution. 

 Going back to the last century, the financial crash and poverty caused by the Great Depression led to FDR.His New Deal reforms and new government services were, in modern terms, an exercise in and implementation of what we now call democratic socialism, which is now inadequate to meet all the needs citizens demand as they struggle to keep up with even the basic economic needs of food and housing.