Analysis of Socialist Influence on the Democratic Party Platform

 

The core argument presented is that the Democratic Party Platform is shaped by the process philosophy of socialism, which is characterized here by reliance on classifying people (rich vs. poor, oppressed vs. oppressor) and emphasizing sweeping government solutions to address systemic inequities (Ferdon, 2019). The 2020 Democratic Platform itself states, "We must right the wrongs in our democracy" (PREAMBLE, 2020).

 

Policy Areas and Disparity Arguments

 

The Democratic Platform consistently frames economic and social issues around statistical disparities between racial and economic groups, arguing that the system fails to provide opportunity based on merit.

 

Economy and Racial Disparities

 

The platform explicitly states that the economy "doesn't work for everyone" and leaves behind racial minorities. It highlights measurable economic gaps:

  • "Median incomes are lower and poverty rates are higher for Black Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and certain Asian American and Pacific Islander communities compared to median white households." (BUILDING A STRONGER, FAIRER ECONOMY, 2020)

     

This use of comparative statistics reinforces the argument that structural inequality (a core concern in socialist and class-based analysis) necessitates significant federal action.

 

Healthcare and Government Intervention

 

The Democratic Platform's approach to healthcare is heavily cited as evidence of socialist influence due to its push for greater government control and its framing of health as a universal right, not a commodity.

  • Single-Payer Option: The emphasis on a "Single-payer option" in which the Federal Government would pay for healthcare insurance for everyone suggests a shift toward a socialized model of delivery.

  • "Human Right" Framing: Healthcare is considered a "human right" that should be paid for by the U.S. taxpayer.

  • Class Disparities in Policy: The platform highlights disparities in healthcare access according to race, gender, and economic status, again using class and group status as the justification for public policy intervention.

 

Education and Wealth Disparity

 

In the education section, the platform relies on wealth-based and racial class disparities to argue that the current system is unjust.

  • Funding Disparity: The platform uses specific data to show a spending gap based on racial demographics: "Each year, the United States spends $23 billion more on schools in predominantly white districts than in non-white districts." (PROVIDING A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION IN EVERY ZIP CODE, 2020)

  • Property Tax Critique: The platform criticizes using property taxes to fund public K-12 schools, arguing this "results in inequitable treatment for students in low-income school districts, compared to those in wealthier areas," directly linking school quality to economic class.

 

Conclusion: Government as Savior

 

The overall theme identified across the Democratic Platform is that certain classes have not been treated fairly and that the government must act as the primary agent of change or "rescuer" to rectify these problems.

The analysis concludes that the platform implies that without the government to step in and solve these issues, people have no realistic way to achieve a fair deal in life. Furthermore, by noting only one mention of God or a higher power in the platform, the essay suggests that the Democratic Party has effectively replaced God with government as the central authority responsible for human welfare and correction.

References

Ferdon (2019). Constitutional Government and Free Enterprise: A Biblical Christian Worldview Approach and Emphasis Interactive Notes (3rd Edition). Kendall Hunt Publishing. https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/books/9781792402081

PREAMBLE. (2020, August 28). Democrats. https://democrats.org/where-we-stand/party-platform/preamble-2/

BUILDING A STRONGER, FAIRER ECONOMY. (2020, August 28). Democrats. https://democrats.org/where-we-stand/party-platform/building-a-stronger-fairer-economy/

PROVIDING A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION IN EVERY ZIP CODE. (2020, August 29). Democrats. https://democrats.org/where-we-stand/party-platform/providing-a-world-class-education-in-every-zip-code/