Kansas has new Democratic Socialists of America Organizing Committee
Article/Socialism - 2 minute read
Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is the largest Democratic Socialist group in the U.S. In Kansas, they have two chapters. One in Lawrence and one in Wichita. Up until recently, they also had one organizing committee located in Topeka. However, another organizing committee formed in Salina in September of this year.
While their numbers are still small, with 16 like and 19 follows, they have been active in the few months that they have formed, hosting biweekly membership meetings at the Salina Public Library's McKenzie Center.
In October, they promoted a training session by the DSA organization, stating on their Facebook page, “For many, talking about socialist politics with those with different perspectives can be daunting for first-time organizers. That's why DSA is hosting an online training session to help build working class power with our friends, neighbors, and coworkers!”
On December 2, they posted a picture of “tabling materials” including a button that said, “Destroy Capitalism” and another item from ‘URGE: Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity’ that had LGBTQ+ colors and text that said, “queer & abortion positive & sex positive & POC-inclusive”.
The Salina organization committee posted the picture, saying, “A big shout out to Lawrence Democratic Socialists of America and the KDSA for their support with outreach and tabling materials. Let's really turn this state red. Solidarity!”
Last week, the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) posted an updated version of economic professor Mark J. Perry’s article ‘Why Socialism Failed’. In the article, Perry highlights three problems of socialism including its ignoration of incentives, the importance of prices, and its blatant disregard for private property rights.
In his article, Perry writes, “In the same way that a Ponzi scheme or chain letter initially succeeds but eventually collapses, socialism may show early signs of success. But any accomplishments quickly fade as the fundamental deficiencies of central planning emerge. It is the initial illusion of success that gives government intervention its pernicious, seductive appeal. In the long run, socialism has always proven to be a formula for tyranny and misery.”