Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania has dropped a verbal hammer on fellow Democrats who cozy up to socialism while turning their noses up at capitalism.
According to Breitbart News, Fetterman didn’t hold back, calling out party members who embrace such ideas as, in his words, “morons.” His sharp critique comes amid growing concern over a Gallup poll showing a troubling tilt among Democrats toward socialist ideals.
The poll, conducted among over a thousand U.S. adults, revealed that 66 percent of Democrats view socialism favorably, while only 42 percent hold a positive view of capitalism. This shift, particularly pronounced among younger party members, has sparked a debate about the direction of Democratic messaging.
While visiting Croatia, a nation with a communist past, Fetterman sought local perspectives on socialism’s allure. He recounted a local’s blunt response: “That’s the worst thing ever. You would never want to live here.”
The same individual, having endured socialism firsthand, warned against adopting such a system, describing it as a “nightmare” before Croatia became a free-market nation. Fetterman noted the Croatians were “mystified” why Americans would even entertain this discussion.
These raw, unfiltered reactions from abroad seem to fuel Fetterman’s frustration with his party’s drift. Why, he implies, are Democrats ignoring history’s hard lessons for a failed ideology?
The Gallup findings, taken in August, show a significant generational split within the Democratic base. Younger Democrats, under 50, are far less likely to favor capitalism, while older party members’ views remain largely unchanged since 2010.
This growing warmth toward socialism among the youth isn’t just a statistic; it’s a warning sign of ideological erosion. When two-thirds of a party’s voters prefer a system that has crumbled elsewhere, the messaging problem is glaring.
Fetterman’s bluntness cuts through the haze of idealism. Perhaps it’s time for Democrats to stop romanticizing theories and start grappling with practical realities.
The rise of figures like New York City mayoral candidate Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a self-described socialist, underscores Fetterman’s concerns. Mamdani’s push for city-run grocery stores has raised eyebrows, as has his past assertion that police don’t create safety in domestic violence situations.
Fetterman, in a Fox News interview, distanced himself sharply, stating he doesn’t “agree with virtually any” of Mamdani’s policies. He even questioned Mamdani’s place in the Democratic Party, noting he’s “not even a Democrat” in spirit.
Other Democrats, like Rep. Tom Suozzi, have gone further, suggesting socialists like Mamdani form their own party. Rep. Laura Gillen has called Mamdani “too extreme” to lead New York City, echoing a broader unease with this ideological shift.
Fetterman’s critique isn’t just a rant; it’s a plea for clarity within his party. When even a senator from the left flank sees socialism as a dead end, it’s a signal that Democrats need to reassess their trajectory.
The allure of socialism might sound noble in theory, but as Fetterman’s Croatian encounter shows, lived experience tells a darker story. Ignoring that for the sake of trendy rhetoric isn’t just naive; it’s a betrayal of what built America’s strength.
Democrats face a choice: double down on policies that history has debunked or return to a pragmatic embrace of free markets. Fetterman’s words, harsh as they are, might be the wake-up call needed to steer the party back from the edge.
