Socialism spreading to American youth Why socialism now? October 11, 13:45

A new phenomenon is happening in American society under the Trump administration. An increasing number of young people are inclined to socialism. In polls targeting young people, 51% responded “favorable to socialism”, surpassing 45% of capitalism. What is happening now in America, which has been said to be a symbol of democracy and capitalism? We listened to the words of young people who found hope for "socialism = socialism". (Washington bureau reporter Atsutoshi Nishikawa)

Visit America ’s largest socialist group nationwide rally…

Atlanta, Southern Georgia. In the heart of this town, also known as Coca-Cola's headquarters, a national rally was held every two years of the nation's largest socialist organization.
The name of the organization is
"DSA = Democratic Socialists of America"

Participating is about 1,000 members who are promoting activities to spread socialism throughout the United States. The figure of the youth was outstanding at the venue.
As of this DSA, three years ago, as of 2016, the membership is 5,000. That increased rapidly with the last presidential election. Young people who are dissatisfied with the gap after the Trump administration were joined one after another, and now it is explosively increasing to 60,000, more than 10 times that.
At the meeting, there was a heated debate over three days on how to realize the philosophy of aiming for a fair society by distributing wealth and enhancing welfare.

Stuart Trader (33), one person who participated in the meeting.
He said he came all the way from Seattle on the west coast, more than 4000 kilometers away.

“This meeting is a historic event that symbolizes the climax of socialism in the United States. I believe that this leftist movement can radically change society. I In the local area, young people are suffering from an imminent situation. ”(Mr. Stuart)

Why socialism

What is happening among young people.
I went to Stuart's local Seattle.
Stuart lived in an apartment in Seattle with his wife Bryn (31) who married seven years ago.
After graduating from university, Stuart worked as a web designer and worked for a company that manages websites for major companies. However, I quit about 4 years ago.
The reason is that I worked hard, but I didn't get a salary and the management felt that I had a monopoly on profits.

Headquartered in and around Seattle are world-renowned giants such as Amazon and Microsoft. However, housing costs soared because of that. Rents have risen more than 50% over the last decade.

Now, Stuart, who makes a living from electrical wiring work, earns 210,000 yen a month. Of that, 140,000 yen per month will disappear into the rent.
There is no car, and only public transportation such as buses can be used. They rarely eat out or go out on holidays.
My wife is now going to graduate school to get a higher paying job.

During the interview, Mr. Stuart has a complicated expression, and there is a scene that says to his wife, "All the places where food expenses, rent and mobile phone charges are cut off. did.

“We are a generation that has not benefited from capitalism. In the United States, 99% have no wealth and 1% have wealth. And since President Trump took office, the gap has widened. I came to support socialism. ”(Mr. Stuart)

Young people in need

In the middle of the night, I met a couple who lived by car for about a year.
Kyle Frazi (25) and girlfriend Jodana Petachia (30). I work for home delivery of meals, but I can't get enough to pay for my rent, and I'm still sleeping in the car.
Clothes and daily necessities were placed in the backseat. The trunk was the same, and once it was opened it was packed with clothes that could not be easily closed.
Mr. Jodana was holding a cat in the passenger seat in a narrow car. About a month ago, I found two abandoned cats on the street, but I couldn't let go of my situation and live together. However, he now says that he is also burdened with the food bills given to the cat.

"Although working every day, but now the work, the level can afford the rent does not earn. Somehow, but I want to escape from this life, the prospect does not stand" (Kyle's)

In addition, you can see many tent villages in Seattle where homeless people live. In Seattle and the surrounding area, there are actually over 11,000 homeless people.
When I was reporting in one of those tent villages, a young woman holding a baby spoke to us.

Carla Coyer (28). I have been living in a tent with my daughter Uta for 10 months.
Carla from Alaska. She broke up with her husband and had nowhere to live, and lived on the street for a while, but she also reached the bottom of her savings and reached this tent village run by NGO.
However, there are no baby food or clothes for babies, and I feel that it is no longer possible to continue this life.

During the interview, the baby accidentally choked food in the throat. Then Carla was upset, "Don't blame me. I want to get out of this place quickly for this child. But I don't have a reliable family and I can't do anything with it." I was spoiled.
Tears overflowed from Carla's eyes.

"The current system is not functioning. I want it to change somehow. I don't want this child to be an unequal society like this when it grows up. Socialism is more than just right. I think it's a better choice than now. ”(Mr. Carla)

Changes in the political world

In response to the growing frustration of young people, changes are also visible in the political world.
My name is Sean Scott (34), a member of DSA, the largest socialist organization in the United States, and journalist.

Candidate for the Seattle City Council primaries in August. I got the second place vote out of 11 people, and the result was taken with surprise in the local.

Even in election campaigns, socialist policies are pushed to the fore.
Four public golf courses owned by Seattle. We are appealing to turn this into a public housing for low-income people, and we are expanding support.

“Everyone should have a place to live and live under the roof. Basic desire as a person. I think socialism will spread more in the United States” (Shaun)

Looking ahead to next year's presidential election

The trend of young people who support "socialism" is also expected to hold the key in the US presidential election, which is approaching a year later.
“Momentum” has already appeared in numbers, even in the Democratic Party candidate's battle for trumping cards.
The advantage in the acceptance rate is that
▽ "Centralist" former Vice President Biden ▽ "Left" Senator Warren ▽ "Left" Senator Sanders.

The left group, supported by young people seeking socialism, occupies two of the top three, raising taxes on wealthy people and realizing universal health insurance.

President Trump on the other hand.
In a speech at the United Nations General Assembly last month (September), he said powerfully:

“The most serious challenge facing the United States is socialism. Socialism is the destroyer of the state and society / America is never a socialist nation” (President Trump)

In the United States, where there were severe conflicts with the Soviet and other socialist camps during the Cold War, there are many people who feel resistance and allergies to the term “socialism”, especially among middle-aged and older people.
We can see the negative thoughts of socialism, strengthen the support, and see through the speculation of using it as an attacking material against the Democratic Party.
The fact that socialism is spreading among young people can be said to be a phenomenon that symbolizes the current United States, where disparities are widening. It is likely to become a new trend that will influence the future of the presidential election that is approaching next year.

Washington office reporter Atsutoshi Nishikawa