Yes, I'm a member of it, but that doesn't make me a self-proclaimed member of some "Democratic Left" anymore than my membership on this listserv makes me a self-proclaimed left business observer.
> The real distinction is one's position vis-a-vis U.S. foreign policy. The DLs are just
> not all that radical in their criticism of it.
Agreed on both counts.
I wrote, "Who else besides Leo identifies himself as being on some entity called the democratic left (not that I mind the label)?"
Justin wrote:
> A common expression of self-congratulation.
Democratic socialist is fairly common.
I wrote, "Well, he is constrained in a way Castro obviously isn't: I'm sure Aschcroft doesn't feel free to send me or the writer of this article or anyone else to jail because of their political speech."
Justin wrote:
> I am sure it has nothing to do with reverence or even respect for law,
I didn't say it did.
> but only with power.
That's why I noted that he's constrained.
> He'd do if he thought he could get away with it.
Perhaps.
> Cuba has done a fabuloous job of improving people's life chances
Has it? I used to believe that Cuba's amazing regional leads in various social indicators were due to socialism, but I think I read on this very list that they were already way out in front before Castro came to power.
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