Originally Posted by
Steel Inquisitor
This is about Communism, not socialism itself. It's possible to have socialism without replacing it as another brand of fascism, which can be done with Communism, as well. But not with your examples who are full blown dictatorships. Communism hasn't been internationally relevant since the Soviet Union fell, socialism has had its fits and starts in other countries like Latin America but recently what victories it had is crumbling to the right wing (Brazil) and while there are socialist states which are active they are few in number. Of course socialism hasn't died as a concept, socialist parties are global but in the west they have a bad track record of victories.
Many of the countries acknowledged aren't simply "failures" they are dictatorships, from the beginning of the regime change to a Communist economic model. Not that this part of your post matters as its goal post shifting, the discussion is about Communism and its impact on the West.
You're right that there are good things Communism has made for its citizens, that's whitewashed when the atrocities are whitewashed or ignored entirely. Sanders isn't known anywhere near as much for discussing the destruction Communist countries have caused but he sure likes talking about what good they've done. Which would be red meat for any Communist within hearing distance, it says "Hey, Sanders understands me. He's on my side, maybe he's a Communist too, but he's not going to admit that on national tv." It's apologia, and I don't condone apologia for any fascist state, right or left.
Capitalism has its own problems, and blood on its hands. Replacing Communism with Putin was wrong, I'll admit that. This contrarian stance, however, didn't explain why the Communists were really any better. I'm sure I could find good things Putin's Russia's made, as well, but I won't use that as excuse that its a disaster state which should be condemned. Politics should be more about whether something is on the left and on the right, dictatorships are wrong in either political climate.
You can't blame everything on socialism and Communists failures on America and capitalism, it's not like they are helpless puppies. The USSR was a force which realigned many countries to socialism/Communism, whose impact is felt to this day and other countries like China reflect that legacy, too. Countries have their own flaws embedded in their culture and political battle lines, which seep into how its implemented - it's why Communism/socialism sweeping over America won't heal its own built in discrepancies with racism, white supremacy and classism.
Then why aren't you using examples like Scandinavia? That's far less politically sensitive than USSR or Castro's Cuba. This is why Sanders speaking about socialism can backfire, he's going to get more people to take his word in good faith with that than Communist dictatorships. He should know this. It'd make appealing to liberals and progressives who don't like him think he's less problematic about socialism with that angle.
You bring up an intriguing thought with socialism and Communism's stability, it's far less robust than capitalism is and capitalism remains a dominant ideology. Partial socialism systems, like Scandinavia have shown greater endurance in this arena, so why aren't you supporting them rather than dictatorships like the USSR?
Communism isn't = socialism, so when someone speaks about the former they don't necessarily mean the latter. Those ideologies are diverse, so why not cut off the tyrannically elements. All they do is hurt socialism's reputation with the public.
This ins't a socialist world, it's a capitalist one and this goes double for running for office in America.