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Edwin Lyngar Published 11:15 a.m. PT March 12, 2021

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Edwin Lyngar(Photo: Provided by Edwin Lyngar)

RGJ columnist Edwin Lyngar isa freelancewriterliving in Reno.

I hear bleating accusations of socialism every five minutes, from right, center, and even some moderate lefties. From the just-passed COVIDbill, to minimum wage, to library funding, and in every Democratic Party squabble, someone is just waiting to scream socialism, like retirees yelling bingo. Yet when Nevada filled Elon Musks pockets with more than a billion dollars in free money, I didnt hear so much about socialism then, nor do I hear socialism hurled at Comrade Berns of Blockchain, as he attempts to corner the means of currency production by forming his own government. Accusations of socialism are situational and always dishonest.

President Joe Biden just passed the COVIDbill supported by 70% of Americans, while opposed by 100% of D.C. Republicans. They call it you guessed it socialism. The early actions of the Biden administration shows that it sees the scam clearly. They passed a bold law with broad American support, further destroying both the false claims of socialism and the damaging neoliberalism of the Bill Clinton era. Its good policy and smart politics.

More: President Joe Biden's COVID stimulus bill explained in 6 charts

If Democrats solve real problems, accusations of socialism lose power. Americans are tired of massive subsidies for the wealthy and businesses in hopes of trickle-down promises that never materialize. COVID-19 blew the doors off our broken system, but changes started much earlier. For years, progressives like Bernie Sanders have relentlessly pushed for more opportunity and fairness in Americas economic system. Sanders helped birth the popular COVIDbill and has been an animating force behind a $15 minimum wage, immigration and criminal justice reform, and marijuana legalization. These ideas all started as liberal pipe dreams but now enjoy broad bipartisan support, even as they are blocked by Republican politicians.

With every bold demand for change, Americans are told to wait, just another year, election cycleor presidential election. Whats the hurry? Im tired of waiting for our leaders to do the right thing, and too often its Democrats who tell themselves they cant win with popular ideas. Democrats should do everything possible to muscle through popular provisions without apology, just as Sanders has pushed for years. We can never rerun the 2016 election, but I argue Sanders would have beaten Trump.

The role of Sanders supporters in the broader Democratic Party has taken on new relevance here after a recentintraparty fight. Other than an undying fondness for Tick Segerblom, who lost to Judith Whitmer, I have little opinion on the contest. Both candidates are longtime Sanders supporters and neither are socialists, despite the dozens of dishonest headlines that attempt to weaponize the word. The Democrats had a competition, and the establishment didnt like the outcome.

More: Sanders backers take over Nevada Democratic party leadership; staff resigns

Democrats feel understandable pride over the past few Nevada elections, but I argue they still have room to grow their single-digit victory margins as the Nevada GOP descends further into a trashy Gong Show remake. Democrats dont need any more barriers to winning, and I hope the party can find a way through the rift.

America already has too many excuses to inaction; were in crisis, by golly. From the dot-com bust to 9-11 to the 2008 housing collapse to COVID-19, were always in some crisis, and most of them hit Nevada harder than other states. These predicable challenges give politicians an excuse to punt on solving problems. Sorry, no cheap college for you, were in a crisis. After every crisis of my adult life, rich people ended up with more money, while everyone else was working harder for less. The inability of the American political system to tackle everyday problems is the real threat to our national unity.

Many of our political problems predate Joe Biden, and thats saying something. Yet Im so encouraged by the progress in Washington. I was hard on Biden in the primary, but I was wrong Biden gets it. He might be the only person with the heft, experienceand history to thread the needle. Nevada leaders should follow his example Americans support bold action on hard issues, and they crave fearless, honest leadership. Nevada needs more bold ideas to help regular people and fewer proposals to establish company towns that give special treatment to the communists at Blockchains.

More: Nevada bill would allow tech companies like Blockchain, LLC to create governments

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COVID relief, party politics and the socialism of Blockchains | Edwin Lyngar - Reno Gazette Journal