Drudge Retort: The Other Side of the News
Monday, August 17, 2026

Poll results released from Larry and David Ellison-owned CBS: Democrats are mostly positive on socialism and have a more favorable impression of it than of capitalism.

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Americans see Canada to the north with their universal healthcare, low gun and police violence, reined in oligarchs, and they see Mexico to the south which will have universal healthcare for all her people in 2027.

Progressive Democrats are asking: "Why not us in Amerikkka?"

#1 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-08-16 04:20 PM | Reply

What a surprise!

Slamming NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) and progressuve Democrats is another AIPAC pod-person.

AIPAC-ers in America are like the invasive species of aliens covertly taking over the world in the book (Jack Finney, 1955) and three films Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956, 1978, and 1993).


"FUNNY"

#2 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-08-16 04:30 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

Progressive Democrats are asking: "Why not us in Amerikkka?"

Effective propaganda.

#3 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-08-16 04:36 PM | Reply

Social Democracies are usually prosperous, happy democracies; even businesses and commercial interests do well.

Authoritarian hell holes like Russia, China, NK, and others with Socialist or Communist facades hiding Crony Capitalist governments are thrilled to see Trumpublicans turning America into the same kind of Authoritarian hell hole.

#4 | Posted by Corky at 2026-08-16 04:46 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 4

#3

Hello Old Friend

Indeed.

AIPAC agit-prop kicked in full steam in America after the 9/11 attacks in the US and the rise of the Likud Party in Israel after PM Yitzhak Rabin was murdered by a right-wing zealot in 1995.

Note that ICC-indicted war criminal Benjamin Satanyahu has watched four POTUS leave office while Israel has slowly seized more Palestinian property, killed tens of thousands of Muslims in the Middle East, and is occupying Lebanon south of the Litani River, all while Israelis enjoy worldclass universal healthcare and we're stuck with the BBB and Trumpf Diarrhea Syndrome (TDS).

And a bankrupted economy thanks to Bibi and the war against Iran the US is fighting for him.

"FUNNY"

#5 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-08-16 04:51 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

#4

That covered it.

Living in a tube in The Matrix suited Cipher just well.

#6 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-08-16 05:26 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

Social Democracies are usually prosperous, happy democracies;

The US is a social democracy, according to your definition, with almost 1/2 of its budget on welfare and entitlements, it spends just as much if not more money on a per citizen basis than some "happy democracies". ($11,167 to $12,300 per capita)

#7 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-08-16 05:44 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

-1Trumpflunky

The US is a democratic republic headed towards being an Authoritarian Corrupt Capitalist society like China, just hiding behind democracy rather than communism.

Since you haven't a clue, let's give you one; prior to Reaganism and Supply Side Economics, companies paid a Living Wage and welfare entitlements weren't so necessary; people could afford healthcare, homes, and education.

Your perspective is rather weird for a supposed Bernie supporter turned Trump Obfuscator.

#8 | Posted by Corky at 2026-08-16 05:50 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 5

Social Democracies are usually prosperous, happy democracies; even businesses and commercial interests do well.

Well, and therein lies the propaganda.

Most people envision systems like those in Nordic countries that actually work for their constituents.

Republicans act like everyone wants the second coming of the USSR to America.

#9 | Posted by jpw at 2026-08-16 06:47 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 7

The fact that 80% of the population has no idea what capitalism and socialism actually mean...

#10 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-08-16 09:53 PM | Reply

#9

The fat bald pedophile is actively working to making the U.S. into the post Gorbachev USSR

#11 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-08-16 09:54 PM | Reply

#7

Me paying into Social Security for my entire 40+ years isn't an "entitlement", you stupid ----. It's what I'm owed. You stupid ignorant economic ------- don't know ----. Funny you ------- ----- never quack about a military than runs through 1.8 TRILLION and has nothing to show for it but swabbies jumping overboard. ---- you, you worthless ------.

#12 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-08-16 09:58 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

Republicans act like everyone wants the second coming of the USSR to America.
#9 | Posted by jpw

And they are happy to provide it.

#13 | Posted by Dbt2 at 2026-08-17 01:24 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

10. The fact that 80% of the population has no idea what capitalism and socialism actually mean...
Posted by LegallyYourDead

Absolutely true.

But given a multiple-choice test, I'd count on more people ages 20 to 50 to get the answers right, having figured things out on their own by now, at least those who work and pay attention.

#14 | Posted by Dbt2 at 2026-08-17 01:29 PM | Reply

The DSA is not promoting socialism.

Not all Social projects are good for the country. Some are great. Some are great for some and not others. I.e. criminals hate the police.

Social programs, here in the US and abroad, can be beneficial.

The DSA platform is not socialism as being argued. What about those European countries and their social programs??

Yeah, they have some nice programs.

DSA platform is not.

#15 | Posted by Petrous at 2026-08-17 07:31 PM | Reply

"Social Democracies are usually prosperous, happy democracies; even businesses and commercial interests do well."

That's because they have embraced social responsibility, along with capitalism.

Ask a lower income earner what they would think about having to pay higher taxes, and be subject to a VAT.

#16 | Posted by madbomber at 2026-08-18 02:29 PM | Reply

- they have embraced social responsibility, along with capitalism.

Yes, by law because they have to.

- Ask a lower income earner what they would think about having to pay higher taxes, and be subject to a VAT.

When corporations paid a living wage in this country, that wouldn't have been a problem... and it wouldn't be a problem now if corporations are required to provide a living wage the kind of benefits they have in Nordic countries.

#17 | Posted by Corky at 2026-08-18 02:36 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

"The DSA is not promoting socialism."

The DSA is promoting something closer to communism. From the DSA Website:

"A Day Without Capitalism"

"Imagine taking a day off from work in a future without capitalism. It might not feel as badly needed as it does now. You enjoy your work; it's interesting to you, and you're well trained for it. You work as much as you are able and no more than needed, and you would control your own labor and see it going to good use. It's not just a job to pay the bills. Speaking of bills: you don't really have them anymore. You have no debt. You don't need health insurance. You don't pay a mortgage or have a landlord, because comfortable housing is a human right. Your retirement is publicly funded. Food, education, energy, medicine, and transportation aren't for-profit businesses; they are common goods and utilities.

OK, enough about bills. What do you do on your day off? Maybe in the morning, you walk your kids to school, run errands, or go to a doctor's appointment. In the afternoon, you might play a sport, practice a new skill, read, plan a trip. In the evening, you could meet up with friends or family and eat together, maybe go to the movies or down to the park. These are all familiar, everyday activities. A socialist day off could be like any good day now. But what if you were free to spend your time how you like without worrying about cost or dreading going back to work? What if you didn't have to think about paying rent or loans at the end of the month, or saving for college, or affording groceries?"

That doesn't sound much different than what Marx and Engels offered up in 1847, no?

It's also something very different than what you see in the social democracies across Europe.

#18 | Posted by madbomber at 2026-08-18 02:38 PM | Reply

"Yes, by law because they have to."

Because they are ruled by dictators?

Do you think the Scandic economic models would work without the support of the voters?

"When corporations paid a living wage in this country, that wouldn't have been a problem... and it wouldn't be a problem now if corporations are required to provide a living wage the kind of benefits they have in Nordic countries."

In terms of median household income, the US comes in 5th. Well above most European countries. Which means that the US working population is better postured to accept a VAT and higher taxes than Finland or Sweden. Norway is an outlier due to their SWF. But Norway is also the most expensive country I've ever been to.

I go to Norway a lot. When I'm there, it's Pizza and Hot Dogs. A beer is $15 at a restaurant. $5 at the grocery store. And that's the cheap stuff. I needed a notebook the last time I was up there. It was going to cost me $22.

#19 | Posted by madbomber at 2026-08-18 03:30 PM | Reply

- "Yes, by law because they have to."
Because they are ruled by dictators?

I can see where you might be confused about who writes and passes laws in democratic countries, Lol.

And VATs are offset by Benefits like year long+ birth holidays for parents, 6 week vacations, universal healthcare and education, and a dozen others.

#20 | Posted by Corky at 2026-08-18 03:54 PM | Reply

I can see where you might be confused about who writes and passes laws in democratic countries, Lol.

You're confused Corky, you "lol" is a sign of your ignorance .... Here in CA they voted for funding anti-crime bill ... but

Newsom insults California voters by not funding Proposition 36


Californians overwhelmingly approved an anti-crime ballot measure in November. But our governor strongly opposed the proposition. So he's not funding it.

www.latimes.com

Is there any recourse? Of course not.

#21 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-08-18 04:13 PM | Reply


In terms of median household income, the US comes in 5th. Well above most European countries. Which means that the US working population is better postured to accept a VAT and higher taxes than Finland or Sweden. Norway is an outlier due to their SWF. But Norway is also the most expensive country I've ever been to.

I have posted graphs Corky has seen, but ignores. The 50 States by themselves and even PR have better standard of living/spending per capita than the rest of the globe, and its not even close.

#22 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-08-18 04:15 PM | Reply

Ah, yes, Gavin the Dictator.... because he has a few handles to pull on legislation.

Your grasp of law, politics, and to be honest, reality itself, is modest at best.

And context? You haven't the first clue.

And you are a consistently poor liar:

"AI Overview

No, the United States generally does not have a higher standard of living per capita than Denmark and Norway when measuring overall quality of life, health, and economic security

While the U.S. has a massive economy, the Nordic model used by Norway and Denmark provides strong public services that reduce poverty and inequality."

more
www.google.com

And before you whine about the source, as you can see AI is not telling me what I want to hear; it is refuting what I said.

#23 | Posted by Corky at 2026-08-18 04:24 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 5

maybe you should leave california, oneironut.

Not that you actually live there.

#24 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2026-08-18 04:26 PM | Reply

Alex,

H4e says he's going to retire back to China, where he'll be donating his DNA (and his (supposed) balls) to Chinese Security.

#25 | Posted by Corky at 2026-08-18 04:30 PM | Reply

Sidewalks are socialism.

#26 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2026-08-18 04:48 PM | Reply

When a lifetime of responsible spending and planning can be wiped out by a bad illness, that is a failed financial system. That's what we currently have.

#27 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2026-08-18 04:49 PM | Reply

"Argh! Stupid socialist countries with universal healthcare and living wages! Blargh! Socialist countries with low gun deaths and zero police violence against people are dumb! Gargh! Stay in The Matrix you stupid liberal Socialist Islamist communist antifa moron Marxists! Amerikkka is the best country in the nation! Trumpf Diarrhea Syndrome, measles, homelessness, and the Big Beautiful Bill suit me just fine! ICE rules! Pflargh!"

"Go back to where you came from Zohran Mamdani and Abdul El-Sayed!"


#28 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-08-18 04:56 PM | Reply


When a lifetime of responsible spending and planning can be wiped out by a bad illness, that is a failed financial system. That's what we currently have.
#27 | POSTED BY SPEAKSOFTLY

We're talking about healthcare system, and its costs, not financing your healthcare. If you have to finance your healthcare, do you even have healthcare?

But this is what happens when you restrict hospitals and the number of doctors,

This is what people that voted for Obama, voted for.

#29 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-08-18 05:48 PM | Reply


Sidewalks are socialism.

#26 | POSTED BY SPEAKSOFTLY A

Actually they aren't. I pay property taxes, the government hires a capitalist private company to come out and fix them.

Where do the people own the means of production?

#30 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-08-18 05:49 PM | Reply

Ah, yes, Gavin the Dictator.... because he has a few handles to pull on legislation.

Its not LEGISLATION ... it was propositions that Californians overwhelmingly voted for; you and your newsworthy tools.

Your grasp of law, politics, and to be honest, reality itself, is modest at best.

I refer you to your own inability to grasp how CA propositions work.

You can't seem to navigate your out of a paper bag

#31 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-08-18 05:52 PM | Reply

Democrats are returning to their socialist roots. FDR and Henry Wallace are coming back in vogue.

Now if they could just get the vast corruption of the MIC under control, we could have nice things.

Don't worry, Trump is strangling the military losers into submission.

#32 | Posted by lee_the_agent at 2026-08-18 06:03 PM | Reply

1NotPayingAttention...

A distinction sans any difference; he's not a 'dictator' as you claimed either way, legislation OR proposition.

#33 | Posted by Corky at 2026-08-18 06:14 PM | Reply

Actually they aren't. I pay property taxes, the government hires a capitalist private company to come out and fix them.
Where do the people own the means of production?

Posted by oneironaut at 2026-08-18 05:49 PM | Reply

OOPSIE DAISY!!!! The sidewalk in front of a person's property is their's to take care of and to maintain. It's NOT the responsibility of the city or town respectively. Please do try again.

#34 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2026-08-18 06:24 PM | Reply

When a lifetime of responsible spending and planning can be wiped out by a bad illness, that is a failed financial system. That's what we currently have.
#27 | POSTED BY SPEAKSOFTLY

We're talking about healthcare system, and its costs, not financing your healthcare. If you have to finance your healthcare, do you even have healthcare?

But this is what happens when you restrict hospitals and the number of doctors,

This is what people that voted for Obama, voted for.

#29 | Posted by oneironaut

We're talking about capitalism - the system that prioritizing profiting off illness over the good of the citizens.

People voted for obama to change that system. He didn't, because he was corrupted by that same capitalist system where the rich get to bribe the leaders and call it free speech.

#35 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2026-08-18 06:49 PM | Reply

Sidewalks are socialism.

#26 | POSTED BY SPEAKSOFTLY A

Actually they aren't. I pay property taxes, the government hires a capitalist private company to come out and fix them.

Where do the people own the means of production?

#30 | Posted by oneironaut

Morons and cowards hide behind semantics.

Sidewalks exist because of the government collection and distribution of resources.

#36 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2026-08-18 06:50 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

" Actually they aren't. I pay property taxes, the government hires a capitalist private company to come out and fix them."

And then the government owns it. Sure sounds a little bit like socialism.

Legally, you own the land but it has an easement so folks can cross. The government, though, owns the concrete.

The IRS tax code refers to sidewalks as a private expense that contributes to the public interest.

#37 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-08-18 08:43 PM | Reply

Interesting fact: Sidewalk costs are NOT tax deductible, even if the owner has a home office.

#38 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-08-18 09:32 PM | Reply

Interesting concept...late stage capitalism, which many of us see America being captured by, to the massive profit of the oligarch caste. One key part of late stage capitalism is that there is an economic pyramid with a few at the top, owning maybe half of the wealth, and the rest of the country struggling at the bottom
Funnily, some of us also see late state communism as pretty much the same thing, as a few billionaire oligarchs grift their way to immense wealth, as happened as the Soviet Union fell.

#39 | Posted by Hughmass at 2026-08-19 06:57 AM | Reply

"And VATs are offset by Benefits like year long+ birth holidays for parents, 6 week vacations, universal healthcare and education, and a dozen others."

I don't disagree. Like I've said before, I almost took a job up there. I wouldn't have been considering it if I thought my quality of life was going to deteriorate because of the move. Although the weather there should be a consideration.

I'm just not sure most Americans would be on board with a 25% VAT and 30% income taxes.

#40 | Posted by madbomber at 2026-08-19 10:16 AM | Reply

"And VATs are offset by Benefits like year long+ birth holidays for parents, 6 week vacations, universal healthcare and education, and a dozen others."

I don't disagree. Like I've said before, I almost took a job up there. I wouldn't have been considering it if I thought my quality of life was going to deteriorate because of the move. Although the weather there should be a consideration.

I'm just not sure most Americans would be on board with a 25% VAT and 30% income taxes.

#41 | Posted by madbomber at 2026-08-19 10:20 AM | Reply

MB

The opportunity to join the people who vote themselves the Happiest People in the World year after year after year... should at least be provided to the American people who just might decide that healthcare, edumacation (Bushism), actually livable, non-cohesive workplaces, family time, long vacations, and less corruption in their government is worth PAYING LESS than they are now while not having those things.

So, Gov of by and for the People rather than of by and for the Corporate Elite.

#42 | Posted by Corky at 2026-08-19 11:04 AM | Reply

non-coercive workplaces

#43 | Posted by Corky at 2026-08-19 11:10 AM | Reply

The 50 States by themselves and even PR have better standard of living/spending per capita than the rest of the globe, and its not even close.
#22 | Posted by oneironaut

How'd you come up with this?

Did you refuse to count the Black people or something?

#44 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-08-19 11:20 AM | Reply

"The opportunity to join the people who vote themselves the Happiest People in the World year after year after year... should at least be provided to the American people who just might decide that healthcare, edumacation (Bushism), actually livable, non-cohesive workplaces, family time, long vacations, and less corruption in their government is worth PAYING LESS than they are now while not having those things."

I think there are dozens of models that the US could look at for inspiration. From my vantage point, there don't seem to be many people in the US interested in going that direction.

#45 | Posted by madbomber at 2026-08-19 12:19 PM | Reply

Some of those EU economies aren't doing so well. UK is a lower per capita than the US, average poverty for all is 3% higher than black people in the US, it's like 40% for Pakistanis there. Those are just the official rates, gets much worse for them when you move to Adjusted metrics. 20% of people in the EU have an air conditioner, 170k die from the heat annually. 90% of American homes do, even the poorest ones. You are more likely to die from the heat in the EU than you are a gun in the US. Not to mention the spectacular racism, entire stadiums doing monkey chants.

#46 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-08-19 12:23 PM | Reply

"Some of those EU economies aren't doing so well. UK"

Brexit on Line 2. They're saying UK voted against having the EU standard of living.

#47 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-08-19 12:28 PM | Reply

The UK per capita is higher than the EU, their poverty rate is effectively the same at 20%.

Then you have special holdouts like Monaco. It refuses to join the EU, but uses the Euro for currency, and has $300k per capita income.

#48 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-08-19 12:34 PM | Reply

Ever been to Monaco? Why not cite Luxembourg?

#49 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-08-19 12:39 PM | Reply

-When corporations paid a living wage in this country,

Corporations never paid a living wage. They did what they do today which is pay a competitive wage.

A long time ago, a living wage and competitive wage were pretty much interchangeable.

Perhaps you didn't realize this, but in that timeframe, we've managed to accomplish a number of things

The marketplace got geographically larger to include a lot of new countries with a middle class (India, china, etc)

We passed the ERA
We pass civil rights

All of those things created a different competitive environment for wages.

You're going back in time and attaching a term called living wage to what was always simply a competitive wage

#50 | Posted by eberly at 2026-08-19 12:52 PM | Reply

Sorry, forgot to include the normal progression of technology, which is also a threat to many "living wage "jobs.

#51 | Posted by eberly at 2026-08-19 12:59 PM | Reply

-Legally, you own the land but it has an easement so folks can cross. The government, though, owns the concrete.

Now that we've dispense with the semantics of a sidewalk and how they work, do you believe sidewalks are socialism?

#52 | Posted by eberly at 2026-08-19 01:10 PM | Reply

Corporations never paid a living wage. They did what they do today which is pay a competitive wage.

...

You're going back in time and attaching a term called living wage to what was always simply a competitive wage

#50 | POSTED BY EBERLY

But saying they "never paid a living wage" overlooks periods where -while maybe corporations did not do it intentionally- strong labor unions, booming post-war economies, or specific corporate models forced higher compensation.

In addition there used to be pensions for those employees who were loyal to the company. A pension and good healthcare was an essential part of a "living wage". Not so much anymore.

#53 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-08-19 01:15 PM | Reply

"do you believe sidewalks are socialism?"

Of course not. I believe STREETS are socialism; otherwise, there'd be a toll at every stop sign.

But as for sidewalks, our street voted; the majority wanted new sidewalks (including me), knowing it was about $3,600 per homeowner. If you voted against it, you still had to pay, and still got the new sidewalk.

Because it involved a cement truck, additional resurfacing was also available, at a slightly discounted rate. Unfortunately, they sent out a different company to do the driveway-to-street portion, and you can tell who got those folks, because everyone's entry section has crumbled.

#54 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-08-19 01:19 PM | Reply

- I think there are dozens of models that the US could look at for inspiration. From my vantage point, there don't seem to be many people in the US interested in going that direction.
#45

Yes, including the ones we were discussing.

And people in the US have unfortunately recently decided to listen to rwing white nationalist authoritarian leaders who are fearmongers on race and ethnicity, hired buy Oligarchs to frighten them into submission.

As long as Money is Speech and Corporations are Super Citizens and Politicians are For Sale, the beatings will continue.

#55 | Posted by Corky at 2026-08-19 01:20 PM | Reply

I think there are dozens of models that the US could look at for inspiration. From my vantage point, there don't seem to be many people in the US interested in going that direction.

#45 | Posted by madbomber

People need to stop treating america like it's problems are the people. The problems are the republicans. The rest of us would thrive without them dragging us down.

#56 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2026-08-19 01:52 PM | Reply

-But saying they "never paid a living wage" overlooks periods where -while maybe corporations did not do it intentionally- strong labor unions, booming post-war economies, or specific corporate models forced higher compensation.

It doesn't overlook it at all. Im accounting for all of that.

Competition for that job changed dramatically from that time.

Women, minorities, and billions and billions of people in foreign countries are now competing.

Back when those wages and pensions were better, those people weren't competing

Are people pretending not to understand this or do they actually not understand this?

#57 | Posted by eberly at 2026-08-19 02:11 PM | Reply

"Women, minorities, and billions and billions of people in foreign countries are now competing."

Is that why corporate profits are at an all time high, because labor is so cheap?

#58 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-08-19 02:21 PM | Reply

"Corporations never paid a living wage."

You don't get paid a living wage?
I don't believe you.

#59 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-08-19 02:24 PM | Reply

"Women, minorities, and billions and billions of people in foreign countries are now competing."

Is that why corporate profits are at an all time high, because labor is so cheap?

#58 | Posted by snoofy

Literally yes.

The workforce was strongest when half the working age populace stayed home to raise kids and it wasn't easy for corporations to outsource jobs. Corporations still made tons of money but it's never enough. So they doubled the workforce, drove down wages, stressed out workers, and then still sent their jobs overseas, which made the stock prices go up up up and rich people go WHEEEEEEE!

#60 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2026-08-19 02:27 PM | Reply

Are people pretending not to understand this or do they actually not understand this?

POSTED BY EBERLY

Sounds like you don't understand it.

Corporations did once did pay a "living wage". Even if they didn't call it that. Historically and currently, some corporations have paid wages sufficient to cover basic living expenses, though many modern low-wage employers do not.

#61 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-08-19 02:29 PM | Reply

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