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We are Democratic Socialists
because of our commitment to democracy.
We are committed to building
a movement which puts the needs of people and the environment
before the demands of corporate profit, a movement which overturns
oppression based on gender, color, nationality; fights the denial
of civil liberties; and supports the rights of all peoples to
democratic self-determination.
We are Democratic Socialists
because we're angry that Americans spend so much on health care
and get so little.
The United States is almost the
only industrial country that does not have a national health
insurance system. While the U.S. spends the most per capita of
any country on medicine, we rank at best only middling on most
measures of public health. It looks even worse if you control
for income. We may have the "best" health care in the
world, but it's mostly for the rich. This is not an accident
but the natural outcome of a system that regards health care
services as just another commodity. Chicago DSA has been a consistent
player in building coalitions in support of a national health
plan.
We are Democratic Socialists
because America deserves a raise.
And the only way we can be sure
of getting one is with a strong labor movement. Arguably as important
as a raise is the respect and security that a strong union movement
provides its members. DSA is a proud and consistent supporter
of organized labor and the right to organize and to bargain collectively;
nothing is more subversive of corporate rule than a strong labor
movement.
We are Democratic Socialists
because we are internationalists.
We are internationalists because
free trade, without agreements to protect the right to organize
free and independent unions, without agreements to protect the
environment, without agreements to protect employment standards,
is nothing but a prescription for an economic race to the bottom.
We advocate fair trade not free trade. We are internationalist
because true national security is born from stronger multinational
institutions guaranteeing democracy and justice, not from fighting
mercenary wars to defend feudal monarchs and multinational corporations.
We are Democratic Socialists
because we need new ways of working and living.
The U.S. cooperative movement
has its roots both in the socialist movement and in the agrarian
populist movement of the Nineteenth Century. A cooperative is
one way in which work can be reorganized democratically and it's
one with a proven track record of benefit to its members and
to the broader community. This is just one example of "real
existing" institutions that can be used to transform the
way we live. We believe democracy isn't just for the government
at election time but needs to be expanded into how we live our
lives and earn our living.
We are Democratic Socialists
because racial inequality calls for more than overcoming "prejudice".
Racism is ingrained in our institutions
and consciousness. Overcoming racism requires not only multicultural
sensitivity but also changes in the distribution of power and
wealth. Through our work in DSA's African-American, Latino and
Anti-Racism Commissions, through our work in coalition politics,
DSA works to build a progressive politics that unites all Americans
around their common interests.
We are Democratic Socialists
because we must be free and equal in our homes, bedrooms and
doctors' offices.
Our radical democratic vision
includes full equality for women and sexual minorities. We seek
a world where women, gays, lesbians and bisexuals have equality
at home and at work, and are free from violence. We want women
to have real reproductive choices which include easy access
to child care and a health system that provides free contraception,
abortion, prenatal care and pediatric care. We envision a society
where people are allowed to love one another and raise children
in any manner of family they choose.
We are Democratic Socialists
because disability is no excuse for inequality.
In a society wealthy enough to
send astronauts to the moon and maintain a military strong enough
to destroy the world several times over, there is no reason why
the "disabled" can't be provided with the tools they
need to earn a living and to have a life worth living. DSA supported
the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and DSA member
Representative Major Owens led its passage in the House of Representatives.
We are Democratic Socialists
because we are proud to stand in a long American socialist tradition.
Our movement has roots in the
Socialist Party of Eugene V. Debs and Norman Thomas. It includes
former members of many other groups on the American left. Our
founding chair, the late Michael Harrington, was known internationally
as "America's Socialist". While socialism has been
successful in the U.S. as an electoral movement only locally,
socialists have been the cutting edge for union organizing, leaders
in the fight for civil rights and civil liberties, proponents
of campaigns for peace and democracy. DSA is firmly a part of
this tradition, and our membership brings together activists
and leaders from all parts of the democratic left.
We are Democratic Socialists
because one Republican Party is enough.
DSA works to support progressive
politicians regardless of their party label. Here in Chicago
metropolitan area, we've supported candidates of the New Party,
independent and progressive Democrats, and progressive candidates
for the many "non-partisan" elected positions. Chicago
DSA, for example, was instrumental in mobilizing support along
Chicago's lake front for Harold Washington in his first successful
run for Mayor of Chicago. We were a major part of both of Ron
Sable's campaigns to be Chicago's first openly gay Alderman.
Our strategy has been and is coalition politics: to bring together
a broad range of progressive movements and constituencies to
shift the political "mainstream" to the left.
We are Democratic Socialists
because if you are for these things then that is what your opponents
will call you, no matter what you say you are.
If you live in the Chicago
metropolitan area, it's time to join
Chicago DSA!
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