Socialist Progressives

... do you say that Bernie doesn't believe in social ownership? You definitely sound like someone who believes socialism means denying oxygen to any form of private enterprise. You're buying the old "revolutionary socialist vs. Social Democrat" divide. I would only point out Marx and Engels observed that the institutions of the new system are birthed in the belly of the old. In other words, the institutions of capitalist society aren't going to totally die off with the revolution. Social and economic institutions, including ownership, will be radically transformed. But, ultimately, even Marx and Engels knew there would be a rather lengthy and imperfect transition period to the higher form of society. If you are expecting that that transformation will be quick, you're in for some disappointment. It seems to me that Bernie is calling on us to push socialism farther than it's ever gone in the U.S. That, in and of itself, would be an amazing accomplishment. I am not even saying it's possible in the short run to go that far. But, for the moment, the word "socialism" is re-entering the mainstream dialogue in a positive way. That is an insufficient, but critical step in the process. I wouldn't deny him the socialist mantle.