I was a Republican mayor. I'd vote for a democratic socialist. | Your Turn

Democratic socialists are having an undeniable political moment. For some, that moment is filled with panic and disgust. For others, it's pure pride and new hope for a better Democratic Party.

So we asked you, our readers, where you see the rising political movement going, and whether you welcome or fear this growing momentum as both parties face defining midterm elections this fall.

Many of you crave a return to a more centrist, moderate political arena with cooler rhetorical temperatures all around. Others are eager to burn this increasingly unpopular economic system down and start anew. But every single response came back to affordability – and whether or not the Democratic Socialists of America party offers a better path forward.

Check out a collection of your responses below. For more opportunities to weigh in, visit usatoday.com/forum, leave us a voicemail at (202) 655-3923 or drop us a note at [email protected].

Whatever moves us toward real affordability, I'm in

I like the democratic socialist candidates I know because they have identified affordability as the key issue of our time, especially for young people like me. They also seem to get things done, unlike establishment Democrats or far-leftists who talk big and act small. I think the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) party has made the Democratic Party more concerned with affordability, instead of focusing on identity issues. I support this change.

I support most of the basic ideas, actually, but worry about feasibility. It’s a lot easier to promise change out of office than enact change in office. I do worry about the DSA’s national leaders becoming less small-D democratic, and the use of purity tests that has prevented them from backing otherwise aligned candidates.

I'm not worried about a slide toward socialism or communism. Communism is dead, and the DSA seems much closer to modern European governments than the former Soviet Union or China. And democratic socialists are the only ones who seem to care how hard it is to pay for health care in this country.

What's on my mind in the coming elections? Affordability. Affordability. Affordability. There is no way this country can get anything meaningful done when so many of its people are impoverished, malnourished and underserved when it comes to health care, education and other crucial social services.

— Scott Brasesco, Washington, DC

Democrats can't let the DSA take over

I'm familiar with the democratic socialist candidates who have the most exposure in the news media. Although I agree with some of their views, I don't support the crazy ones – like defunding the police or getting rid of prisons.

Even if they get legislation passed on their primary issues, they would likely be shut down by the far-right Supreme Court. They should focus more on changing the courts through the ballot box and abandon the purity tests that cost Democrats the presidency in 2016.

Democratic socialists will still make up a tiny part of the Democratic caucus in Congress, so they will try to exert control, but they have to accept that their moderate colleagues have elections they have to win in areas where the DSA is not popular.

— Christina Knight, Virginia

Socialism isn't free, and it won't solve anything

I would never vote for a socialist. Socialism is totally contrary to a capitalist, free-market country. If we adhere to our Constitution, it spells out how to manage a well-run country that has a history of rewarding those who want to provide a better life for themselves while lending a helping hand to those who really need it.

We are a giving society. Socialism isn’t free and almost always paves the way to a total totalitarian government like communism. Talk about unfair; that’s the best example there is of wealthy dictators and a country drowning in poverty and oppression! Currently, the rich pay the bulk of taxes that provide our infrastructure, schools, defense, etc. If we deplete that income by heavy taxes, we wind up spreading the expenses of running a country to the very people who are demanding their way of life be paid for by others.

Makes no sense!

Our system isn’t perfect, and I feel strongly we need to get a health care system that serves everyone more fairly. I am not at all happy with our present administration. Why not try to bring some centrists on board in both parties who will actually get down to work together to make our wonderful country run the way it was intended? 

Oh dear, I just woke up from a dream.

— Carol Hefner, Washington

I have conservative values. The DSA could win me over.

I’m a former Republican mayor from a small city I was born in, and I still have some conservative values like hard work and trying to be independent. I would vote for a democratic socialist candidate in a heartbeat if they put forward a workable plan to benefit everyone, like health care or fair tax reform.

I was a political science and economics major in college after serving in Vietnam in a combat role. I brought my city out of debt with disciplined spending. The Republicans became my worst nightmare because they only cared about controlling everything from inside the party.

— Frank DeSantis, New York

Democratic socialism doesn't worry me. Authoritarianism does.

I think America should move toward democratic socialism because basic needs like health care, housing and education shouldn’t depend entirely on how much money you make. I believe working people deserve more power, stronger protections and a fairer share of the wealth they help create.

Capitalism as it exists in America today isn’t functioning as capitalism anymore – it has become corporatism, where concentrated corporate power has far too much control over our economy, government and daily lives.

Democrats have been failing in their approach to the American people and have lost a great deal of credibility. If Democratic leaders are not listening to democratic socialists and the concerns driving that movement, they need to start.

I support the DSA agenda across the board because the issues it addresses – health care, housing, education, workers’ rights, economic inequality and basic social protections – should not still be unresolved problems in the United States. These are the kinds of struggles we associate with developing nations, yet the United States is supposed to be one of the most advanced and prosperous countries in the world.

Socialism and communism are not the same thing. Democratic socialism operates through elections and democratic institutions and can include private businesses and private property, while communism traditionally seeks collective ownership of the economy. Historically, communist states have often been governed through one-party rule. My concern today is that the greater threat to America is not socialism – it is the movement toward authoritarianism and concentrated power.

My priority for the November midterm elections is simple: Restore meaningful checks and balances, strengthen congressional oversight and put educated, experienced, competent people back into positions of authority. We cannot repair everything else until we first restore competent government.

— Jasmine Reiber, Oregon