Progressive Policies Are Not Socialism

Marietta Daily Journal (MDJ) articles discussing progressive candidates are immediately met with comments referencing socialism and communism.  While I accept that this rhetoric arises from the current national political environment, this adult version of kids on the playground proclaiming that their rivals have “cooties” demands comment.  

I spent 16 years as an infantry officer during the cold war. Since the inception of the communist ideology, I have had a family member standing in armed defense against its spread. My wife, a current candidate for Marietta city council, is the daughter of a man who holds the honorable distinction of serving in World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War. Based on this heritage, I am comfortable saying that my household knows a bit about the evils of communism.

It is because of the blood, sweat, and tears shed by our families over seven decades of fighting the spread of communism that I find the indiscriminate use of the term socialist offensive, inaccurate, and demonstrative of an ignorance that is damaging to both the common good and the credibility of the user.

Let’s define these terms:

Socialism: any of various egalitarian economic and political theories or movements advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.

Progressivism: a political philosophy and social reform movement focused on advancing the public good through government action and often calling for government to be used to meet popular social, political, economic, and environmental needs and demands and to advance rights and protections for marginalized groups.

Many jump to socialism or communism when they hear progressive views, but they are not the same – not even close. Even with the correct definitions, the lines are not as bright as some would have us believe. Political activity falling within the definition of socialism is common. For example, the US recently took an ownership interest in Intel and a percentage of Nvidia’s revenue. Both actions fall squarely within the definition of socialism.

Closer to home, the City of Marietta’s ownership and control of the local electric utility is a classic example of socialist ideology. For those outside of Marietta, mandatory membership in Cobb EMC is more easily shoehorned into the definition of communism than an example of capitalism. The benefits or disadvantages of these examples are not within the scope of this discussion, but they demonstrate that the lines are not quite as clear as people may think when they elect to throw out the “S-Word.”

One must wonder how these commentators reconcile the fact that 41% of Marietta’s fiscal budget is derived from its ownership of Marietta Power. The socialization of certain activities under government control falls far short of the red tide that I have spent a significant portion of my life fighting.

Progressive views are not socialist views. Progressivism addresses the use of government resources to meet the needs of the people. Recent examples include the three million recipients of EIDL Loans issued by the SBA during the pandemic. These loans are experiencing a 37% default rate meaning that approximately $150 billion will not be recovered because the loans were issued based upon “need” rather than repayment capacity. Another example is the SNAP program that feeds approximately 42 million people at a cost of $100 billion/year. In each case, the intent is not to provide a handout to the recipients, but to aid during a difficult time in hope that the recipient would become or remain a productive tax paying member of society. I would also hope that some small part of each of us does not want to see shuttered businesses or starving children.

Neither of these progressive actions by the US Government falls within the definition of socialism – which requires the assumption of ownership and control. Accordingly, referring to someone as a socialist based on their support of a given government program is simply incorrect.

Properly defined, socialist and progressive programs can be found at both ends of the political spectrum and we can all debate the merits of each if we can get past the temptation to place inaccurate labels on the people we disagree with. I, for one, would stop far short of labeling our mayor a socialist based solely upon the fact that he serves as the chairman of Marietta Power and Light. Instead, like any true capitalist, I would focus on whether I agree or disagree with how tax dollars (and socialist utility profits) are spent.

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The above article, written by Nora’s husband Richard Gaudet, was published in the Marietta Daily Journal on November 8th, 2025. Subscribers to the Marietta Daily Journal can view the article on the MDJ’s website.