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1979, Milton and Rose Friedman delivered the seminal book Free
to Choose. One of its most remarkable elements
is the now-famous
"Appendix A," listing the 14 economic planks of the Socialist
Party platform of 1928. The Friedmans noted that every goal in that
document had become a part of American law. The list includes federal
initiatives that are today neither attacked nor even seriously questioned
by even the most hard-boiled conservatives: nationalization of natural
resources, maintenance of public employment agencies, regulation
of the workday, and federalization of certain transportation concerns
and utilities. Much of the agenda was enacted into law within twenty
years of the Socialists' announcement — and twenty years past
that, their accomplishments had become an unquestioned part of the
political landscape.
It used to
be that the looniest ideas of the Loony Left lived only in the Socialist
Platform. And when guys like Bernie Sanders needed the company of
fellow travelers, they had to show up at somebody's cell meeting
with a password and a dog-eared copy of Mao. But these days, Bernie
et al can feel right at home with the Democrats, who are borrowing
pretty heavily from the proletariat playbook.
So what are
the Socialists campaigning for today? It seems wise to take a look
at their agenda, because twenty years from now, we could be living
it — and twenty years past that, conservatives may even be
applauding it. After all, it has happened before. So consider these
highlights from the 2000 Platform of the Socialist Party USA —
and, while you're at it, marvel at how many of these goals are also
supported by the Democrats.
Animal Rights
We call for a ban on animal experimentation for product development….
Campaign-Finance
Reform
The Socialist Party supports the public financing of candidates
for public office….
We call for
the closing of the loophole sanctioned by the Supreme Court under
which candidates can spend an unlimited sum of their personal wealth
on their own campaigns.
We call for
equal access to media for all political parties.
Children
and the Family
We support the expansion and full funding of 24-hour childcare facilities….
We call for
one year's paid leave to be shared by new parents or in its entirety
by a single parent.
We support
the rights of … all other caring adults [emphasis mine]
to share in the child-rearing process.
We support
public childcare starting from infancy, and public education starting
at age 3….
Economics
[W]e call for public ownership … of all our natural resources….
We call for
a minimum wage of $12 an hour, indexed to the cost of living.
We call for
… a 30-hour work week at no loss of pay, with six weeks annual
paid vacation, and one year parental leave for new parents at no
loss of seniority.
We support
the provision of a livable guaranteed annual income for those outside
the work force.
We call for
… a maximum income of no more than ten times the minimum.
We call for
increased unemployment compensation.
Education
[We call for] an end to all public funding and subsidizing of private
schools.
We oppose tying
teachers' pay to student performance, [and] forcing schools within
a system to compete against each other….
We support
multicultural, multilingual, experimental education at all levels.
Gun Control
We support federal buyout programs for arms….
[We support]
prohibiting weapons whose sole purpose is not hunting or self-protection.
Health Care
We support a single-payer National Health Program … publicly
funded through progressive taxation….
Immigration
We oppose all efforts to declare English an official language.
We call for
an unconditional amnesty program for undocumented people who should
be accorded the same civil rights that other members of society
possess.
Military
The Socialist Party stands for unconditional disarmament by the
United States….
We call for
… rapidly reducing the military budget to less than 10% of
its current level.
We call for
the disbanding of NATO….
We call for
… an end to military recruiting in educational institutions.
We support
efforts to organize all workers, particularly … enlisted personnel
in the Armed Forces….
Racial Preferences
[Recognizing] the intimate link between racism and capitalism …
[w]e strongly support affirmative action ….
We call for
the overhaul of the Constitution of the United States in order to
achieve a diverse legislative body.
Seniors
We defend the right of seniors to a generous, publicly funded retirement
income.
We call for
a National Pension Authority to hold the assets of private pension
funds….
Women's
Issues
We support comparable-worth laws and affirmative action for women.
… And
a Few Words to Dream on
We call on all citizens of the world to fight the U.S. military-industrial
complex….
We call for
children's allowances in order to satisfy every child's basic rights
and needs in a stimulating, empowering, and caring environment.
We oppose measures
that increase responsibilities and penalties on youth ostensibly
to curb crime.
We call for
… public ownership of all large databases….
We call for
an end to the expansion of the interstate-highway system in conjunction
with the reduction of combustion-engine/auto-based transport.
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