Senate Democrat nominee James Talarico appears ready to bring a touch of Trotsky to Texas. In a video from a climate forum, Talarico is shown declaring capitalism an “oppressive system” linked with white supremacy and that it must be “dismantled” to achieve a better world. It is reminiscent of Leon Trotsky, who denounced the “fundamental evil of the capitalist system” and called on citizens to free themselves from its oppression. The Democratic Socialists of America and radical sites have long called “to dismantle the capitalist state.”
As a state representative, Talarico addressed the 2020 climate conference by the Austin chapter of the Sierra Club with other Texas House candidates. However, it was Talarico that roused the crowd with an attack on capitalism:
“I’m so thankful that you asked this question and also thankful that young activists have really drawn the link between climate change and White supremacy and capitalism in our country … And I think only ending the ways that all three of those oppressive systems work together are we gonna be able to begin the process of dismantling them.”
Talarico added criticism of Texas’s oil and gas industry, which he mocked as a dying industry “like being the leader in cassette tapes in the 1980s.” He predicted with obvious satisfaction, “That industry is not gonna last.”
Ironically, given his earlier promise of running a meatless, Vegan campaign, opposing both beef and energy markets in Texas could well achieve the dismantling of the economy by default in Texas.
Talarico’s views closely parallel socialist and communist talking points online. Democratic Socialists of America has challenged people to “Imagine the end of capitalism.” Those words in the Democratic Socialists of America manifesto offer Americans a world without landlords, debt, mandatory work hours, and “food, education, energy, medicine, and transportation… are common goods and utilities.”
The DSA is premised on the same stated objective of Talarico, declaring that there has to be “a revolutionary transformation to replace the capitalist social order based on exploitation and oppression.”
Other candidates have sought to pander to this radical mob. Recently, California Gov. Gavin Newsom thrilled the mob by declaring that “nostalgia is not working,” adding that “capitalism as we know it doesn’t work either.”
In “Rage and the Republic,” I discuss the rise of socialism and the coalition of politicians, pundits, and professors in attacking capitalism as well as core institutions such as the Supreme Court. It is a crisis of faith on the 250th anniversary of the oldest and most successful republic in history.
It is the 250th anniversary not only of the Declaration of Independence but of Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations. Smith’s free market theories were immediately embraced by the founders as the perfect economic theory to match their political theory. They had declared the first Enlightenment Revolution based on a belief in natural rights that came from God, not governments.
However, those rights mean little without economic freedom. Capitalism offered citizens the ability to transcend class and social barriers, to advance as far as their skills and labor would take them.
Together, those political and economic theories created the most prosperous and stable democratic system in the world. That system is now under attack on both sides. Radicals are calling for the trashing of the U.S. Constitution and the discarding of our core constitutional values.
Even establishment figures from former Vice President Kamala Harris to California Governor Gavin Newsom now dismiss faith in core institutions as mere “nostalgia.” Those of us who support the Madisonian democracy are derisively called “institutionalists” and constitutional “cultists.”
The New York Times ran a column, “The Constitution Is Broken and Should Not Be Reclaimed,” by Ryan D. Doerfler of Harvard and Samuel Moyn of Yale, calling upon citizens to “reclaim America from constitutionalism.”
As these attacks on our constitutional system mount, a similar attack on capitalism is unfolding. In New York, Zohran Mamdani promised to show citizens the “warmth of collectivism” from free child care to free buses to state-run grocery stores. Across the country, Mamdani allies are joining him in calling for the de-commodification of private property and the seizing of the means of production.
Polls show that these candidates are being propelled not by the working class, but by young, college-educated voters fresh out of the ideological echo chamber of higher education. They are armchair revolutionaries like Talarico, repeating socialist slogans with the same robotic rote delivery of a Young Pioneer camp.
As these videos surface, radical candidates from Abdul El-Sayed to Talarico brush off their earlier comments as media allies attack any reporting on prior statements. Socialist Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is considering a run for president, recently called her own extremist statements as “Woke 1.”
The transparent insincerity does not matter to their base. These figures have already shown their bona fides with extremist statements in the past. Talarico’s desire to dismantle capitalism was not some slip of the tongue but a planned speech to fellow activists. To pivot now is considered to be mere packaging for uneducated and malleable dupes.
Accordingly, when asked about past radical positions, these figures immediately deny or dismiss them. If you want to dismantle the constitutional or economic systems of the United States, a few white lies hardly seem of much consequence. After all, as Trotsky explained, “The end may justify the means as long as there is something that justifies the end.” For these radicals, there is no greater justification than their own election.
Jonathan Turley is a law professor and the best-selling author of “Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution.”
This column also ran on Fox.com
I’m far more concerned about how we dismantle the brainwashing of these young, privileged tools. That it’s gotten so serious doesn’t make it any less absurd. I sure hope people in Texas are paying attention.
James, you’re describing a power you wouldn’t want anyone to have. Whatever is strong enough to dismantle the formation that produced Talarico is strong enough to be aimed at yours. That’s not a hypothetical, it’s the same tool. Formation environments like family, neighborhoods, Church, school and community are where we should focus the most attention.
Leon Trotsky was an early communist revolutionary. Joseph Stalin didn’t think Trotsky was revolutionary enough (sort of like the feud between today’s Left-Leaning-Democrats and Far-Left-Democrats). And guess what … Leon Trostky got terminated by axe in his head. So much for communism being a Big Tent.
It’s not unique to leftists. George Washington had traitors executed.
Anonymous,
I’m not sure that I understand what you are saying. Are you saying the Senator John Fetterman is a traitor? And should be executed by Hasan Piker?
Do you enjoy rights without having fought for them yourself? Is this communism?
Prof Turley is exaggerating the implication of Talarico’s actual words.
Sure. Keep telling yourself that.
If capitalism is so great, then everyone would move out of their apartments into their own houses.
LAME AS USUAL FROM MORON ANON
Are you a gook?
COMMIE ANON!!!. Get a job and a life PSYCHO MORON ANON
When everyone gets a house regardless of effort or achievement, that’s not capitalism. That’s communism.
But some peoples houses are more equal than the others.
If socialism is so great everyone would at least have a 1 room apartment. As it is, they live on the street.. NYC, LA, NO, Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit etc.
Talarico has spent his brief career in Texas politics. As a career politician in a party that has long been in the minority, he has accomplished little. He is a theoretical reformer who has enacted few of his own reforms. He is accustomed to delivering theory and theater. For him, results too often remain promises. With few credentials beyond those of an elected official, he is poised to be a follower, ad infinitum.
I see no rage. He’s sort of a nothing-burger.
Good one don.
Here’s hoping (and trusting) that, in November, the Texas electorate is not as STUPID as the Texas Ds were in nominating Talarico for its USA senatorial election. Every time another of his awful statements is unearthed, I cringe and wonder how so many Ds were so foolish!
JT calls it a crisis of faith. I call it formation. We’re all formed for something. Talarico told a room of activists what he’s formed for and, more importantly, what he’s formed against.
Our system left formation to non-government environments, and those environments produced citizens with the capacity for self-government. They’re now producing citizens formed against it. And the dominant formation environment governs.
Formation olly? Seriously WTF.
The “oppression” Trotsky claims was nothing more than a delusion in his own mind.
I am free to enter into an agreement with a company, large or small, and in exchange for my work, they pay me. If I do not like it, I quit and get another job. If I do my job well, they reward me.
I have free will in a capitalist society. I can walk into a big box store, walk around for an hour, and not buy a thing. The DSA and other like them make it sound like I am forced to goto Walmart at gun point and spend all my money there.
Nope.
” . . . but by young, college-indoctrinated voters fresh out of the ideological echo chamber of higher education.”
There. Fixed it.
And mandatory corvid shots in upstate NY is facism right?
At least the young can get a college education, you’re too stupid to get a GED.
CORVID???? HA HA HA HA HA WHAT A DF!! MORON ANON FLUNKED SPECIAL ED!!
To your first question, yes.
In order to enlist in the US Marines, you have to have a high-school diploma or a GED. I have a high-school diploma.
#WeAreEstovir
Marines? That’s like your billionaires story. Seriously, you’re too stupid to be in the service.
MORON ANON Spelled Lose as Loose and Covid as Corvid!! TALK ABOUT STUPID!!!!
What if they abuse you while you work, and then don’t even pay you?
I love that Prof Turley supports his own values and will let anyone speak on this platform. However, the comments from so many have gone off the rails. Free speech can be full of S**T!!
How does capitalism help people in trailer parks?
What does capitalism have to do with living in a trailer park? And what’s the difference between a 1 room apartment and a mobile home? A mobile home has more rooms.
Like you???
If capitalism is so great then why is there poverty and homelessness?
If Socialism is so great then why is there poverty and homelessness?
Because it is constantly displaced by capitalism.
Because some choose not to avail themselves of it. The answer to homelessness and poverty in socialist society is forced labor camps where opting out of work is not an option. There aren’t a lot of options in a socialist regime except for the party leaders. Once you trade freedom for security and a livelihood you will find you have neither. It’s happened before and will happen again if we let it.
The entire democrat socialist party are the Enemy of the People and the greatest threat to our Republic in history. We The People must keep them from gaining power. Talafreako is pretty far out there. Vote Red or our Republic is Dead.
You not very smart are you, using a Communist aphorism to defile the DSA.
Smart? how stupid do you have to be to support murderous commies? you dope.
How stupid do yo have to be to not understated what was written Dustoff. You’re stupider than Rob. And you fools wonder why you’re about to loose the USA. You are dumber than rocks.
Loose? ha ha ha ha Talker about Dumber than rocks!! What a DF
Talk about
My belt is loose.
I keep seeing this term “ by young, college-educated” and I keep saying they’re uneducated. They’ve been indoctrinated by professors who have never worked a day in their lives but protected by tenure. Most of the students weren’t really prepared for college and got passing grades just for attendances. They can’t read or calculate simple equations how can we hope that they understand the chains of slavery Marxism offers. The universities and school unions have increased the cost of education and failed to fully prepare students for the workforce.
I wonder if you ever lived in Marxist country? Or just read about in a comic book.
Hey Anonymous, tell us which Marxist country we should live in and why oddly enough you don’t opt to go live there yourself???
Tell where to live? Should? What a typically stupid question Bob Howard.
Typical PSYCHO MORON ANON reply!!!
Typical PSYCHO MORON HULLBOBBY reply!!!
I’m not Hullbobby!! I thought MORON ANON called everyone Estovir? WHAT gives MORON ANON??
Can’t figure that out for yourself MASS hole.
mass…hole
MORON ANON posts crap daily!!!
The only people who buy the line of garbage the National Socialists are pushing are the historically-ignorant college-indoctrinated leftwing Hitler Youth of today. Even Lenin realized Socialism didn’t work when he instituted the New Economic Plan. Every time Socialism was failing, the Soviet Union was forced to allow private enterprise to cover the shortfalls. The leadership of the Soviet Union never suffered the deprivations caused by Socialism, as they had their dachas and limousines and nice apartments and vacations on the Black Sea. Sounds just like the DSA today.
Lenin endorsed communism, not socialism, advocating for a revolutionary approach to establish a classless society. He believed that socialism was a necessary step towards achieving communism. You make a fool of yourself on a daily basis.
The Republic needs the warmth of collectivism like Phoenix needs a space heater in July.
You soon find out how warm it’ll be. You’re days are numbered.
Yes, everyone should be terrified over what could be might be, oh my!, nevermind the raging, literally algae-infested swamp of corporate sycophants and individual donors (often with cases before the SC or facing investigation by the DOJ) who, as one example, are bribing a stupid ballroom (nevermind how much it’s costing taxpayers) into existence for a moron Pizza Hut spokesman who thinks he owns the country rather than serving it as a public employee: which is all he is.
CRT! DEI! Mexico! Cats and dogs! Communism! Squirrel! Oh my!
Magats have TDS.
No everyone. It sure looks like you have it.
WTF? Dustoff you can’t write a coherent 2 word sentence. Idiot.
QUIT HYJACKING MY SCREEN NAME MORON ANON!! REPORTED
“Looks” Dustoff?
MORON ANON AGAIN USING MY SCREEN NAME!! REPORTED!!
DustOff,
An accurate assessment.
Hey farmer tell us about how rich you are on paper. Folks, this fool brags about being a billionaire but lives alone in a trailer with his porn collection.
Oh, no! Poor, poor annony is ever so jealous I am so successful, able to run the farm and go to college while he sits in his parents basement, unemployed, 30-something Gen Z, failure to launch with no money of his own.
#WeAreEstovir.
Run a farm huh? Proof that you’re a stupid pig shit slopper. Tell about your billions pig farmer? And why you’re too stupid to get a college degree.” . Dustoff at least has 2 “collage” degrees. You?
Oh! What is the matter annony? Not smart enough to recognize a typo when you see one? Must be that higher-education of yours.
#WeAreEstovir
Talarico’s rhetoric tracks Mamdani so closely it’s practically copy‑paste ideology, just delivered with a Texas accent to his Austin audience. Creepy! Can’t imagine him an upset TX WIN.
None of you ever expected to see the DSA leading polls …
Quiet Neville….you’re embarrassing yourself!
Hey Nobody, your comment doesn’t make any sense.
Hey Bob Howard go FY.
Only the eventual PAIN of Communism (oops, I mean Socialism because they are significantly different, right – Bah haha) will help the YOUNG STUPID AMERICAN and their WOKE OLDER AMERICAN BUTT BUDDIES be able to focus on their new found Paradise created by their new Masters from the DSA who will provide everything for FREE as long as you want NOTHING! Idiots who cannot learn from History because it requires focus.
If they vote in these fools. They will learn in a hurry.
The problem is we all suffer for their stupidity while they learn the realities of communism.
Mary, you all suffer under capitalism too. You’re just to dumb to recognize it. Not an endorsement of socialism,, just pointing out the fact that the reality you currently live in is fraught with delusions. Again, you’re too dumb to see it.
Yet, you are not smart enough to explain how we are suffering under capitalism.
You just make wild claims and then run away when confronted.
Well, maybe if you had any intelligence you could understand the delusion you live. Its capitalism fault that you’re stupid.
Oh, look. Annony is not smart enough to explain anything to us, so has to throw around insults aka run away.
How marvelous!
#WeAreEstovir
PSYCHO MORON ANON is going mad!
Learn what dustoff, that they’re better off?
Because every country that has turned to communism is SO successful. They had to built a wall in Berlin to keep the capitalists out, after all.
The problem is we will all have to endure the pain of an authoritarian socialist system. Once in place they won’t ever admit their mistake. Once power is taken, it won’t be relinquished easily. The warmth of collectivism radiates from the barrel of a gun.
They won’t have to admit the failure because they will be living above the level of poverty they created.
Thank You, Professor Turley, for exposing the two faced guts of Talarico-type creatures coming out of the swamp… Whilst attacking ‘Capitalism’ and the ‘Oil and Gas Industry” they still avail themselves of the fruits of both… especially embracing big money for their campaigns and lifestyles.. except perhaps for those rare occasions they prefer to ride on their broomsticks vis-a-vis flying in jets…
Talarico is more than a Marxist: he is a hypocrite, along with all of the other DSA hypocrites who could not survive ten minutes without the stuff capitalism provides, from the eyeglasses allowing them to see to the bullhorns electrically amplifying their lunatic screams extolling their “warmth of collectivism” tripe.
Once more: if hypocrisy did not already exist, a Marxist like Talarico would invent it at breakfast just to survive until lunch without starving.