Socialism in America

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                                    History of Socialism in America

Roots of socialism in America: Understandably, many traditional Americans still don’t know or understand that not only is socialism alive and well (and growing) in our country but has existed here for ages. But, I ask, given our inherited values, when and how does a person living in America find socialism appealing? To understand this question, know the history.

The roots of socialism in America can be traced to the arrival of German immigrants in the 1850s when Marxian socialist unions began, such as the National Typographic Union in 1852, United Hatters of 1856, and Iron Moulders' Union of North America in 1859.

Progress of socialism: The Socialist Party in America was born and grew dramatically between 1900 and 1912 under the charismatic leadership of Eugene V. Debs in 1912. Now, many call it progressive.

Prominently with President Theodore Roosevelt and through the 20th century's first years, the Progressive Movement came into view with its belief in "the perfectability of man," and in an open society where mankind was neither chained to the past nor condemned to a deterministic future; one which people were capable of changing their condition for better or worse. Clearly, the socialist party was included within the progressive movement.

In 1905, Upton Sinclair founded the Intercollegiate Socialist Society, which soon had chapters in the leading universities. Lively young men and women discussed the "New Gospel according to St. Marx." Universities were considered to be favorably ground for progressive thought. Because of the Cold War, McCarthyism, and dominance of the "Middle American" values, the Communist and Socialist parties virtually disappeared in the 1950s, when membership fell to below 2,000 members. Many Socialists left the party because it was seen that more progressive reform could be achieved through membership in the Democratic Party.

Influences of socialism on American society today: The effects of socialism in America are growing and can especially be felt today, involving some members of our government. I ask, do the 47% of Americans (according to polls) who prefer socialism even know the meaning of the word socialism?

How is socialism alive in America? They call themselves "Progressive." Progressives are individuals who are ostensibly working within the republic and its capitalist system, while their real goal is to subvert it, weakening its foundation, the Constitution of the United States of America, and amending it to reflect the Marxist_Socialist philosophy described as Progressivism.

Progressives contend that Progressivism is rooted in three core principles: "Fighting for economic justice and security for all; Protecting and preserving civil rights and civil liberties; and Promoting global peace and security." That's what they say - it sounds great - but it’s not what they intend. Everything you need to know about Progressives and Progressivism can be learned from visiting the Progressive Democrats of America's Advisory Board page which features the bios of 25 of the leftists in America.

In the United States House of Representatives, these Socialist people are all Democrats and they all belong to the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), that was established in the early 1990's. The 83 members of the Progressive Caucus also belong to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), a confederation of socialists formed in 1983 when a splinter group of the Socialist Party (Michael Harrington's Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee, DSOC) merged with the Students for a Democratic Society's (SDS) splinter group, the New American Movement (NAM).

According to facts, the main aim of DSA was to convert the Democratic Party into a social democratic organization. To that end, during the early 1990's, the DSA hosted the Progressive Caucus' website, which contained the names of its members. When the word got out, all the information regarding the Progressive Caucus vanished. These congress critters don't want you to know their true colors (red).

What about the American Socialist existence today? Socialism is very active today in our House of Representatives and Senate. I respectfully recommend that all read the following web sites to be better informed and understand what is causing we citizens to feel our country is going down the wrong path. Democratic Socialists of America- http://dsausa.org/dsa.html ; Congressional Progressive Caucus http://cpc.grijalva.house.gov/; Communist Party USA - http://cpusa.org/. Incidently, Nancy Pelosi is a socialist who had a prominent position in The Congressional Progressive Caucus. But, she denies it now. Why? A few other prominent Socialist members in Congress are: Bernie Sanders, Corrine Brown, John Conyers, Barney Frank, Jesse Jackson, Jr., Dennisrmott, James McGovern, Charles Rangel, John Tierney, Tom Udall and Henry Waxman. Enough said !

In God We Trust.

Glenn A. Clepper

Writer, Columnist, Books Author, Patriot and Historian