I edited that post because what I tried to say had to do more with lables people use or as you called it, a buzzword.
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It was a mistake for Sanders, AOC, etc. to call themselves "Democratic Socialists", but can't put that genie back in the bottle. Some hear the word "socialism" and it conjures up all sorts of negative images. You can be sure the Republicans will be relentlessly pounding away at that for the next year.
I had a business associate, an Italian immigrant, who used the word "communist" to describe just about any political position he disagreed with, left or right. I think it stemmed from his father, who was very pro-Mussolini.
I have a communist friend who regularly host gatherings to spread messages....DEMs are equally as bad as GOPs. We need a revolution to promote communism. Socialism is a good start. She rails about Hillary and Obama being equally as bad as Trump. I attended a few meetings just to hear the hype. They think everything reported from media is fake and the real info is reported from communist supporters. I venture to comment... what makes you think info coming from your camp is real?
In the mean time I get regular news updates from her and the struggling folks being hammered from what capiitalism brings. A sickle and hammer is her mantra. Messages like this is what fuels those on the right to vote for Trump as DEMs put out socialist messages. I worked with a few Russians that abhor DEMs. They left Russia for the individual freedom the America has to be successful.... not to be restricted. To them Socialism is the stair way to Communism.
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Socialism is a range of economic and social systems characterized by social ownership of the means of production. Social ownership can be public, collective or cooperative.
I don't know how many times it needs to be said...no serious Dem candidate advocates true socialism. Of all the candidates, Sanders is the only one who describes himself as a "Democratic Socialist". Ask your Communist friend if Sanders is "socialist" enough for her.