See Which Candidates Supported by Socialist Group

By Aaron Klein
WorldNetDaily

A U.S.-based Marxist-oriented socialist organization has released a list of Massachusetts politicians it supports in upcoming congressional and state Senate elections.

The list was released by the Yankee Radical, the Boston newsletter of the Institute for Democratic Socialism, the educational arm of Democratic Socialists of America, or DSA.

Among the candidates supported by the DSA are:

David Adam Segal, a Democratic Party member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives running for Congress in the state's 1st Congressional District. The newsletter describes Segal as "a left-liberal candidate mobilizing young people and activists for social change." It calls on supporters to volunteer for Segal's campaign;
Sonia Chang-Diaz, who was elected to the Massachusetts Senate, representing the 2nd Suffolk District. The socialist newsletter describes Diaz as a former teacher who has "worked to protect K-12 funding, helped shape the educational reform package aimed at ending the achievement-gap, and fought to protect millions of dollars going to youth intervention programs, housing assistance and community healthcare";
Massachusetts State Rep. Steve D'Amico;
Jen Benson, who represents the 37th Middlesex District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives;
Katherine Clark, running for Massachusetts state Senate;
Massachusetts State Rep. William Brownsberger;
Massachusetts State Sen. Cindy Creem;
Dave Dennis, candidate for state representative in the 8th Bristol District of Massachusetts;
State Sen. Jamie Eldridge from the Middlesex and Worcester District of Massachusetts;
State Sen. Patricia D. Jehlen of the 2nd Middlesex District;
Ken O'Brien, running in the 1st Worcester District;
Massachusetts State Rep. Jason Lewis;
Ron Patenaude, running for the local union 2322;
Massachusetts State Rep. Mark Falzone;
Massachusetts State Sen. Susan Fargo;
Paul Mark, running for state representative in the 2nd district;
State Rep. Matt Patrick, up for reelection in the 3rd District;
Jesse Reich, running for state representative in Massachusetts;
Massachusetts State Rep. Tom Sannicandro.

Other local and state Massachusetts candidates include Cleon Turner, Pam Richardson, Carl Sciortino, Marty Walz, David Roulston, Paul Sullivan and Debbie Silberstein.

Working Within Democratic Party

As WND was first to report, the DSA has been closely linked to the Democratic Party, in particular to the party's Progressive Caucus.

Until 1999, the website of the Progressive Caucus was hosted by the DSA. Following an expose of the link between the two organizations in a WND column by Joseph Farah, the Progressive Caucus established its own website under the auspices of Congress.

The Democratic Socialists of America's chief organizing goal is to work within the Democratic Party and remove the stigma attached to "socialism" in the eyes of most Americans.

"Stress our Democratic Party strategy and electoral work," explains an organizing document of the DSA. "The Democratic Party is something the public understands, and association with it takes the edge off. Stressing our Democratic Party work will establish some distance from the radical subculture and help integrate you to the milieu of the young liberals."

Nevertheless, as WND reported, the goal of the DSA has never been deeply hidden. Prior to the cleanup of its website in 1999, the DSA included a song list featuring "The Internationale," the worldwide anthem of communism and socialism.

Another song on the site was "Red Revolution," sung to the tune of "Red Robin." The lyrics went:

"When the Red Revolution brings its solution along, along, there'll be no more lootin' when we start shootin' that Wall Street throng. ..."

Another song removed after WND's expose was "Are You Sleeping, Bourgeoisie?" The lyrics went:

"Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping? Bourgeoisie, Bourgeoisie. And when the revolution comes, We'll kill you all with knives and guns, Bourgeoisie, Bourgeoisie."

Obama Connected to Socialist Group

Top Democratic Socialists of America members have been closely linked for years to Obama.

Obama himself spoke at a forum organized by the group at the University of Chicago in early 1996 called "Employment and Survival in Urban America."

Quentin Young, considered the father of the U.S. single-payer health-care movement, is a longtime Democratic Socialists of America activist. Young has had a relationship with Obama, particularly in the 1990s, when he reportedly advised Obama on health care.

Young was reportedly present at a 1995 meeting at the home of former Weather Underground terrorist William Ayers, who was said to have launched Obama's political career.

Young has been active in Chicago socialist circles and was previously accused of membership in a communist group. In 1992, Chicago's branch of the Democratic Socialists of America awarded Young, a member, with their highest honor – the Debs Award.

In a 2008 article in the official Communist Party USA magazine, Young noted Obama previously expressed support for a single-payer universal health-care program, although he later waffled when asked about his position.

As an Illinois state senator representing a mostly black district on the South Side of Chicago, Obama publicly supported universal health care. He also co-sponsored the Bernardin Amendment, which did not pass but would have amended the Illinois State Constitution to add health care to the list of basic rights for residents.

Meanwhile, Obama spoke at the March 29, 1998, memorial service for Chicago Democratic Socialists of America member Saul Mendelson.

Timuel Black, a member activist, mediated political disputes on behalf of Obama in the 1990s and was reportedly involved in Obama's campaign committee during his successful 2004 Senate race.

Longtime member activist Arnold Wolf was a member of "Rabbis for Obama" and has held fundraisers in his home for Obama, including a function in 1995 that was aimed at introducing Obama to the Hyde Park activist community.

Eliseo Medina, international executive vice president of the Service Employees International Union, has been honored by Democratic Socialists of America. During the most recent presidential campaign, Medina served on Obama's National Latino Advisory Council.

WND reported Medina, speaking at a 2009 Washington, D.C., conference, declared granting citizenship to millions of illegal aliens would expand the progressive electorate and help ensure a progressive governing coalition for the long term.

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