US House votes on a resolution denouncing socialism, it split the Democratic caucus.

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The House on Thursday approved a resolution denouncing socialism in a bipartisan vote that fractured the Democratic caucus. The resolution overwhelmingly cleared the chamber in a 328-86-14 vote. The majority of Democrats — 109 of them — voted with all Republicans for the resolution, while 86 voted against it and 14 voted “present.” The measure, which runs three pages, says “socialist ideology necessitates a concentration of power that has time and time again collapsed into Communist regimes, totalitarian rule, and brutal dictatorships.” It argues that “many of the greatest crimes in history were committed by socialist ideologues” — mentioning Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, Fidel Castro, Pol Pot, Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un, Daniel Ortega, Hugo Chavez and Nicolás Maduro — and it lists atrocities committed under socialist regimes.

“Congress denounces socialism in all its forms, and opposes the implementation of socialist policies in the United States of America,” the resolution reads. When introducing the measure, the office of Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) — a sponsor of the resolution — said passing it “would make a bold statement that the People’s House unequivocally denounces this cruel and unjust ideology.” “It would also ensure the United States commits to never begin or normalize the implementation of socialist policies that inevitably lead to economic ruin and political authoritarianism,” Salazar’s office added in a statement. Several Democrats who voted against the resolution expressed concerns regarding the future of Social Security and Medicare.

They noted that Republicans on the Rules Committee rejected an amendment proposed by Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) which sought to clarify that opposition to the implementation of socialist policies in the U.S. does not include federal programs like Medicare and Social Security. Republicans are pushing for spending cuts to be linked to a debt ceiling increase and some have floated cuts to entitlement programs. Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), however, has said cuts to the two federal programs are “off the table.” “Here’s what this is really about: More and more members on the other side of the aisle are calling for cuts to Social Security and Medicare, and many have referred to these programs as socialism throughout their existence,” Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) said on the House floor during debate. “The other night in the Rules Committee, they showed their cards. Republicans refused an amendment to declare that Social Security and Medicare is not socialism.” “This resolution is little about intelligent discourse and everything to do about laying the groundwork to cut Social Security and Medicare,” he added.

Additionally, some Democrats who voted against the measure have been described as democratic socialists. Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Cori Bush (D-Mo.) were all endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America in the 2022 cycle. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), who supported the resolution, condemned socialist autocrats during a speech on the House floor before taking aim U.S. leaders who attack democratic elections and other American programs. “I rise to condemn all socialist autocrats who place power and wealth over their own citizens. Yet this resolution ignores some of their worst evils, then falls silent while American leaders mimic their cruel tactics,” she said.
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3841 ... democrats/

Debbie Wasserman Schultz is the former Chair of the Democratic National Committee.
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts." - Daniel Patrick Moynihan

Re: US House votes on a resolution denouncing socialism, it split the Democratic caucus.

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And wut in the fook does this “resolution” do to help Americans? Oh, it gives them a boogeyman to yell and scream at when they can pay the rent or afford to fill their prescriptions. Brilliant…
"It is better to be violent, if there is violence in our hearts, than to put on the cloak of non-violence to cover impotence. There is hope for a violent man to become non-violent. There is no such hope for the impotent." -Gandhi

Re: US House votes on a resolution denouncing socialism, it split the Democratic caucus.

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Political positioning, like adding 'Under God" to the Pledge in the 1950's to show we were "against" Communism's forced assertion of Atheism.
I'll be 95% of the Republicans don't actually KNOW that there are multiple kinds of Socialism, not simply Marxist Socialism, and, clearly, they want to deny the fact that social welfare programs are definitionally NOT "Socialist", particularly Marxist. Friedrich the Great of Prussia established some of the first social welfare programs, and even Bismarck, who DETESTED Socialism, acknowledged, reluctantly, that there were significant benefits to be had from social welfare programs.
"Even if the bee could explain to the fly why pollen is better than shit, the fly could never understand."

Re: US House votes on a resolution denouncing socialism, it split the Democratic caucus.

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Jondoe541 wrote: Fri Feb 03, 2023 7:42 am Will there be a follow-up resolution condemning Fascism, White Supremacy, White Nationalism, Western Chauvinism and Christian Nationalism???
Yeah, really soon. In fact, really soon. Any day now. Just wait for it, wait for it....
(crickets)
"Even if the bee could explain to the fly why pollen is better than shit, the fly could never understand."

Re: US House votes on a resolution denouncing socialism, it split the Democratic caucus.

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A goal of each political party is to embarrass the other one in any way they can, to affect the next election. In 2019
In a stinging rebuke to President Donald Trump, 12 Republicans joined Democrats as the Senate voted to reject his decision to declare a national emergency in order to build a border wall -- a striking blow to his agenda and a clear warning to Trump about presidential overreach. The final vote was 59-41.

All told, twelve Republicans voted with all 47 Democrats in support of the resolution to terminate his emergency declaration. Trump has now been forced into the embarrassing position of having to likely issue his first veto -- of a measure that garnered so much GOP backing. The House voted to terminate the declaration last month. Just after the vote, Trump made his intentions clear with a one-word tweet: "VETO!"
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/republi ... d=61680788

It's all political theatre, it's meaningless in terms of legislation. They are poison bills or resolutions that seek to embarrass a party or a sitting president. They don't go anywhere and will get vetoed.
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts." - Daniel Patrick Moynihan

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