- So, my first question is. Why did you become a socialist?
- 11/4, 11:57amMimi SoltysikIt's a long story that I'll try to make as short as possible. For the better part of my life, I really didn't care much for anything or anyone, including myself. I was incredibly self-destructive. At a somewhat early age, my health began to fail a bit, and I had to really confront sobriety. As I started to get some clarity, I think I began to understand how to love again. With love and clarity, socialism isn't far around the corner, in my opinion.
- Austin JamesIs there anything specific about socialism that you identified with?
- 11/4, 12:00pmMimi SoltysikThere is a lot specific about socialism that I identified with. Let's start with the idea of putting people before profit.
- Austin JamesNow, you are the socialist party USA's candidate, and there is a lot of focus this election on socialism with Bernie Sanders campaign. What differs between Bernie Sanders "socialism" and yours?
- 11/4, 12:05pmMimi SoltysikWe probably have different tastes in music. Also, I don't see him proposing worker control of the means of production. He seems to propose more of a social democrat, expanded welfare state approach. Essentially a more tightly-regulated capitalism. That's not going to cut it. Capitalism is inherently racist, sexist, and imperialist. A more tightly-regulated racism, sexism, and imperialism doesn't sound "socialist" to me. He can call himself whatever he wants, of course. But I think it's a good time to have this discussion.
- Austin JamesSo basically Sanders is trying to fix capitalism, not abolish it, by adding a bit of socialism to it?
- 11/4, 12:08pmMimi SoltysikAdding tighter regulation, creating a stronger social safety net, etc. Policies that I think a progressive Democrat or perhaps a social democrat would likely feel comfortable with, I believe.
- Austin JamesNow, lets assume you became president, what are the first things you wish to accomplish?
- 11/4, 12:10pmMimi SoltysikAs I said before, my first order of business would be to resign from office.
- Austin JamesWell, I want to give the average american an idea of what would happen if socialism were implemented. Would there still be political parties, would our lifestyle improve or worsen, basically what could we expect if socialism were to be implemented?
- 11/4, 12:14pmMimi SoltysikWe'd see democratic participation in our work and in our communities. We'd see worker control. We'd see socialized medicine. We'd see universal education. We'd see the incredible amount of money spent murdering people overseas being re-directed toward providing fundamental services.
- 11/4, 12:15pmMimi SoltysikKey here is, if socialism were to be implemented, it would happen from the bottom-up. Not from the top-down.
- Austin JamesI see one of the major obstacles for socialism to be the overwhelming power and influence of big business, how can this hurdle be overcome?
- 11/4, 12:18pmMimi SoltysikWhen we've seen the people unite, we've seen how incredibly powerful they can be. I think we can both acknowledge the incredible power and influence of big business while also acknowledging the incredible power of the people. I think it's possible to be both practical and optimistic.
- Austin JamesDo you think all this talk of socialism and Bernie Sanders makes it easier for the SPUSA to get people on board with socialism?
- 11/4, 12:24pmMimi SoltysikI think it definitely has created more opportunities to have a dialogue about the issues from a socialist perspective. That doesn't necessarily mean that Sanders supporters will initially be supportive of a socialist perspective, but it does offer possibilities, I think.
- Austin JamesIs there anything else you would like to say before we end the discussion?
- 11/4, 12:29pmMimi SoltysikI definitely want to say "thank you" to everyone who has been supportive of the Campaign so far. It means an awful lot to Angela and I. It's been a humbling experience and we are incredibly grateful.
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