New York, NY - The White House released a paper yesterday entitled “The Opportunity Costs of Socialism.” DSA National Director Maria Svart issued the following statement in response:



“DSA agrees with the White House ‘socialism’ report in one respect — 'socialism is making a comeback in American political discourse.' The very fact that the White House has published this report shows that the few in power are recognizing what many have known for a while — that ‘socialism’ can act as an antidote to the current political system which has proved itself bankrupt with no real pathway for a decent life for the large majority of the American people. The DSA is committed to putting forward a true picture of socialism, as opposed to the distorted version Donald Trump’s White House would like you to accept.

“The White House report is an opportunity to address the real needs of the American people. Those needs include a health care system that provides universal comprehensive coverage to all, rather than an exploitative market-based system that only serves the rich. They include higher education for all those who want it; an education free from crippling debt; a fair and just society for all; and a justice system that does not jail children, separate them from their parents, or incarcerate millions of black and brown people. Socialism provides hope for a future that this administration is doing everything in its power to destroy.

“Socialism presents a humane and ethical counter to the ‘collective’ that Trump has declared to be a member of — a ‘nationalist’ party that is race- and class-based, and saturated with misogyny. We favor no one group in particular and see each struggle for freedom and true equality as part of the larger fight for justice for all."

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