Socialism has a long history in the United States. A socialist became mayor in Schenectady, New York in 1911, the year my father was born. A socialist, Meyer London, was elected to Congress in 1914, when World War I started in Europe.

In the year 1917, Socialists secured 7 seats on what was then called the New York Board of Alderman. By 1919, 5 Socialists were elected to the New York State Senate.

However, there was backlash. In January of 1920, the New York State Assembly voted overwhelmingly to expel the 5 elected Socialists.

Socialists were further marginalized in New York State by gerrymandering, and the “red scare” that followed the Russian Revolution in 1918.

Socialism, however, was not over in New York State. In the 1932 mayoral election, a Socialist, Morris Hillquit, received 250,000 votes, finishing ahead of the acting mayor.

Once the Socialist party became strong, it was affected by interparty disputes, which marks the success of all political parties. Even the Communist Party USA gained traction in New York State by 1938. The party drew a crowd of 20,000 in Madison Square Garden rallies.

Socialists even backed Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia. He was a strong supporter of the Jewish community and outspoken in its defense of Jews who died during the Holocaust.

Ultimately, Socialism waned in New York, and in other places. Socialist candidate for President Eugene Debs made lots of noise but was never a serious threat to mainstream candidates.

What Socialism did accomplish, however, from the beginning of the 20th Century until its diminishment prior to World War II, was to rally antisocialist forces to become involved in politics. When the rightwing is strong, so-called Progressives become strong and likewise when the hard left begins to take over, moderate Republicans are energized.

Just what is socialism? It is when the government owns the major means of production such as utilities. Socialism in reality means not just taxing the rich, but taxing everyone, since taxes on the rich is never enough to pay........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)