Once relegated to the fringes of American politics, socialism is becoming increasingly influential within the Democratic Party. With the Democratic Socialists of America claiming record membership and socialist-backed candidates winning races across the country, even prominent Democrats are warning about where the movement could take their party.
Become a Monthly Ministry Partner today.
From CBN News:
After Donald Trump won the White House — thousands of young, upset activists poured into the organization. Today, DSA claims more than 120,000 members — the largest socialist organization in American history.
We’re seeing the result from that at the ballot box. DSA’s current election tracker shows 49 wins this cycle, with 8 of its supported candidates winning federal primaries. While two other major progressives — Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan and Peggy Flanagan in Minnesota aren’t considered formal DSA victories, they ran on many of the same themes.
Bottom line: more socialists could soon be walking the halls of Congress.
The Democratic Socialists of America has existed since 1982, but the organization remained relatively small for decades. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign helped bring democratic socialism into mainstream political debate, while the election of President Donald Trump that year fueled another surge of interest among activists on the left.
Since then, socialist politicians have become some of the most recognizable figures in progressive politics. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has previously described capitalism as “irredeemable,” while New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has spoken in the past about “seizing the means of production.”
DSA’s ambitions also extend well beyond expanding government spending or social programs. According to CBN News, the organization’s political platform includes abolishing police and prisons, ending ICE, allowing unrestricted migration, bringing major corporations and essential industries under public ownership, eliminating the Senate, and dramatically restructuring the executive branch and Supreme Court.
That agenda is creating tension within the Democratic Party itself. Veteran Democratic strategists Rahm Emanuel and James Carville, comedian Bill Maher, and progressive commentator Van Jones have all expressed concerns about the party moving too far left. Third Way President Jon Cowan warned that allowing DSA and its allies to gain control could make Democrats less competitive outside deeply Democratic areas.
Yet polling cited by CBN suggests socialist ideas are gaining acceptance among Democratic voters. The share of Democrats viewing socialism favorably reportedly rose from 50% in 2010 to 66% today, while 75% say they would be open to supporting a democratic socialist presidential candidate. Among all registered voters, that figure stands at 42%.
So far, many of the movement’s electoral victories have occurred in heavily Democratic areas. But with DSA claiming more than 120,000 members and dozens of victories this election cycle, the organization has demonstrated an ability to organize activists and influence Democratic primaries.
Scripture warns repeatedly about the dangers of placing ultimate confidence in human institutions and concentrating power in the hands of men. As socialism gains greater influence in American politics, intercessors should understand not only the candidates involved but also the ideas and organizations shaping them. Let’s pray for discernment among voters, wisdom for America’s leaders, and government that protects liberty, administers justice, and recognizes the God-given dignity and responsibility of every person.
How are you praying as socialism gains influence in American politics? Share your prayers and scriptures below.
(Excerpt from CBN News. Photo Credit: InvadingInvader – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=119714238)
