The Democratic Socialists Are Coming!
By James Banakis
August 9th, 2026
Last night I rewatched a movie I had forgotten from my teens, The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming. The 1966 film a comedy, starring the incomparable Alan Arkin as a Soviet officer whose crewmen go ashore for help after their submarine runs aground off Nantucket during the height of the cold war.
The film unexpectedly, fondly brought me back in a time capsule to that more cohesive America. I even recognized one of the cars as the same model as my father’s Ford station wagon. After 60 years the film reminded me of the Cold War paranoia that gripped the nation.
The most enduring remembrance of that era was that the country was 98 percent anti-communistic. Among the 2% were the usual suspects, Jane Fonda, Angela Davis, Saul Alinsky, and a younger, still angry Bernie Sanders.
In the film the young boy, Pete Whittaker (played by Sheldon Collins), accuses his father, Walt Whittaker (played by Carl Reiner), of being a traitor. Pete is extremely disappointed that his father chose to cooperate and answer the stranded Soviet sailors’ questions instead of fighting them or refusing to talk. Pete proudly bemoans that he is probably the only kid in the fourth grade whose father is a notorious “trader” (mispronouncing traitor), prompting his mother to intervene and correct his grammar.
The scene is a major turning point, as the son’s constant badgering and questioning of his patriotism finally awakens Walt to act and attempt to overpower the Russian sailor.
For those of us who lived through the early 1960’s, it was a time of uninhibited patriotism as we all stood together to defeat the common enemy, Communism. The wall separating Berlin was a constant reminder of how the other side needed to keep their people caged in to what to us was a universally despised system. The Cuban Missile Crisis brought us to the brink of nuclear devastation. Most of us accepted that this threat of a cold war becoming hot was a price we had to pay for our way of life.
Like the young boy in the movie, we were all alert to helping root out any Commies. Karl Marx and Lenin crafted their revolutions to be fueled by the dissatisfied working class. The working class in 1960’s America almost universally believed in the American way of life. Except for the civil rights protests most Americans thought the country was on the right track domestically.
The Soviet system was pretty good at building 100 megaton bombs and ICBMs, but not very good at feeding and housing their citizens. Reagan our most virulent anticommunist president, later was to label them the evil empire. His policies lead to the complete collapse of the boated, mismanaged, Soviet 60-year social experiment. At the end of Reagan’s second term the country finally felt we had relegated communism to the ash heap of history. The nation was so far right of center that in 1988 when Micheal Dukakis ran for President, he refused to assume the label of “liberal,” choosing and popularizing the term “progressive,” as less menacing.
So now all these years later we have Democratic candidates winning elections as avowed communists. Ted Cruz recently said, “Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America are full on communists, the word communists sound jarring, but that is who these people are.”
Over 50% of polled Democrats think it’s good to have this group in their big tent of grieved malcontents. Many admit they don’t agree with all their nihilist, anarchist programs, i.e. no prisons, no Senate, no private property, open borders. What happened? How did we arrive at this entrance to the gulag?
Well, a combination of things has taken place over the past 30 years. The Chinese have replaced the Soviets in infiltrating our culture through media, the universities, and commerce and trade. This resulted in a loss of American industry and manufacturing. Even so, working class and blue-collar Americans are not the ones supporting the new socialist/communist movement. Most of them now support the Republican party. The movement is being supported overwhelmingly by young insolent, over educated, underemployed, self-absorbed resentful upper middle-class brats.
In 1948 Winston Churchill brilliantly said, “Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy.” True then and even more relevant in 2026.
Communism has yet to succeed because it attempts to reverse fundamental human essentials like individualism, and the aspiration for personal ownership. When the government controls all production and eliminates private enterprise, the result always is massive inefficiencies, widespread shortages, and a lack of incentive for innovation. The United States today is by any estimation the worldwide leader in the continuing AI revolution and innovation.
Karl Marx wrote The Communist Manifesto in late 1847, and it was officially published on February 21, 1848, in London. Sixty years before, the Founding Fathers anticipated despotic governments and made sure the constitution included the Bill of Rights. The right to bear arms is the most essential right protecting our personal property and businesses. That’s why leftists always want to first confiscate guns.
Victor Davis Hanson on a recent podcast correctly pointed out the current Democratic Socialists running for and being elected for office are wealthy elites. They have no answer or programs except to criticize capitalism, the very system that enriched them. JB Pritzker is our very own poster boy for the templet. The same is true with Zohran Mamdani in New York, and Gavin Newsom in California. All three born on third base lusting for power. The one glaring deficiency of all these people is that they have never had to meet a payroll with their own money.
Francesca Hong the Democratic Socialist running for governor of Wisconsin is currently trying to walk back all her communistic beliefs including abolishing Thanksgiving. She insists she’s evolving! We’ve heard that before. It’s a ruse. Wake up Wisconsin.
How successful will this subterfuge be? Like many other sinister power grabs in our political history, this too shall pass. The current Democratic party has pivoted about as far left as most Americans are able to stomach. Through deceit we’ve become vigilant. Democrats succeeded in installing a puppet (Biden) in 2020. In 2024, the tried it again with the chef of word salads, but as Abraham Lincoln once astutely said of the American people:
“You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all the people all of the time.”
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Jimmy Banakis is a life-long restaurateur. He was an honorary batboy for the White Sox in 1964. He attended Oak Park River Forest High School, Nebraska Wesleyan University, and Chicago-Kent Law School. He claims the kitchen is the room he’s most comfortable in anywhere in the world. He published an extremely limited-edition family cookbook. He’s a father and grandfather, and lives in Downers Grove Il.
Comments 33
Thanks Jimmy. Another great start to my Sunday morning with this column.
Brilliant introduction and summation of the lost American zeitgeist, Mr. Banakis! You are always a silky read. I especially like your mention of Karl Marx’s London hegira.
The Revolutions of 1848 are no longer taught or mentioned in high school Western Civilization (also vanishing) classes. Those uprisings stemmed from food crises (Potato Famine in Ireland e.g.), hatred of the monarchy and papal power, and industrial labor syndicalism. Anarchy had the most organized leaders. American education has painstakingly the dots necessary for young people to connect. God damn, John Dewey all who worship at his temple.
Those 19th Century revolts failed universally: people starved, the military was welded to the crowned heads of Europe and egos tattered any unity. Marx saw all of this jumped on the backs of the masses.
Golems like Bernie Sanders have a ripe field to plow up.
There are people who are idiots when they go to college. When they graduate they are still idiots, just better educated idiots
Good morning John. America that we love is in trouble and the young have no clue as to what is happening they Vote for idiots that want to destroy their future. Socialism is Communism folks. Wake up America. Love it or leave it.
There is no difference between communism and socialism, except in the means of achieving the same ultimate end: communism proposes to enslave men by force, socialism – by vote. It is merely the difference between murder and suicide.
Ayn Rand
Thank you James, here we are once again having to reveal the history of horrors of communism because our failed education system, (or is it?), is in the hands of pampered pajama boys and girls with no real world experience preaching their opiate to the illiterate young masses.
I do not worry about the litter of childish democratic communist candidates as much as the feckless, gonadless Republicans who refuse to stand up to the Red horde. When God handed out balls, the Rinos must have been in line at the local drag queenfest.
True. Run for office they said. I did. Got beat in the primary by 1800 votes by a RINO.
“The movement is being supported overwhelmingly by young insolent, over educated, underemployed, self-absorbed resentful upper middle-class brats.”
Perfect description of the DSA. While the AWFULs are part of the above, they deserve a special shout-out as well.
Over educated? Have you seen what they are taught? Over indoctrinated would be a better term. They are anything but over educated.
“The movement is being supported overwhelmingly by young insolent, over educated, underemployed, self-absorbed resentful upper middle-class brats.”
The error you made in this statement is “over educated.” I believe that, since the 60’s or 70’s, 95% or greater of college graduates are un-educated. I remember a term from back then, “DWEM’s.” Folks decided then, and much more today, that Dead, White, European Males had nothing to offer in today’s world. In light of the “Odyssey” movie, back in the 1990’s at work around Halloween, a young woman was wearing costume make-up. I said, “Is this the face that launched a thousand ships?” She had no idea what I was talking about. I queried a number of co-workers and the only one who had heard of Homer went to a Catholic High School.
There are people who are idiots when they go to college. When they graduate they are still idiots, just better educated idiots
Tax the rich, that’s all they know. Those that have amassed fortunes through hard work and intelligence are being challenged by those that don’t know what hard work and intelligence is. That in a nutshell is the calling card of the DSA.
I hope those that vote democratic that aren’t hard left realize which direction their party is going and realize that today’s democratic party isn’t the same one that their parents voted for. Unfortunately, it’s not just tax the rich, it’s to find more ways to tax everyone and grow their Ponzi scheme of bigger government and guaranteed votes.
Well written, great column as usual – except for one thing – the rose-colored outlook.
I think this period is different from any time before. A much more extreme left leaning educated 25 and under crowd, a much more non-western population base, and an extremely unpopular head of state like Czar Nicholas II. Put it all together, and throw in full support from the AWFLs, who won’t recognize their mistake until it’s too late, and I think anything is possible over the next two elections.
I fear that you are correct. This threat is not going away quietly.
I read last night that U of Michigan will be basically abolishing (pass or no credit) grades for the first semester of freshman year to “ease the stress” of kids adjusting to the cities of college life. More dumbing down. The Russians are coming was a great premise. Today they’re already here. Another ideology has also invaded and has a strong beachhead and beginning to move inland. Their numbers are growing and our own system is being used against us, Welfare and the Constitution against our way of life. What’s not to like from the invaders standpoint. Have multiple kids with multiple “wives” and the state will pay. Want to build a facility as a local hub, well the Freedom of religion portion of the Constitution will protect that. Minor problem is that it is an ideology/theocracy totally opposite our freedoms and will overtake us from within. The group gets out the vote as a block. An important anniversary is coming in just over a month. Will it pass without real notice? Will it reawaken us to the threat or will we just shrug it off because it is easier? U of Michigan is taking the easier route!!!
Spot on about the schools. This is one thing the “left” does own, our lack of standards and accountability in public schools and universities.
The Chinese are now our “enemy”. They make everything and own many of the components that we use for our weaponry and our tech than runs our economy. Left didn’t send the jobs there.
Reagan run up huge deficits, but he did say no to Israel when our Marines were blown up Lebanon. He had the testicular fortitude to stand up to them and avoid a war.
It looks like 9/11 was allowed to happen by our deep state and used as a predicate for Iraq and Afghanistan.
You have to look at 10/7 and the tragedy that occurred in Israel similarly. Charlie Kirk described it on PBD podcast. It was a golden opportunity to grab the land once and for all.
Most of the 40 trillion had been spent on tax breaks and subsidizing our job losses.
War mongers are revered.
Clergy is trotted out to proclaim a just war, and the poor give their kids to die to make oligarchs rich.
Clowns like VDH glorify war.
Listen to John Fogerty and Edwin Starr.
More derivative drivel from Bobby Blowhard.
Most of the 40 trillion went to buying Democrats votes.
Watching you call VDH a clown is like watching Joe Biden calling Trump senile.
Excellent article. I loved that movie as well. One thing about our current society. You can only be stupid enough only for so long to buy into their bs. It just keeps getting deeper and deeper to the point of no return but the fact that people actually buy into this garbage blows my mind.
Excellent article. I loved that movie as well. One thing about our current society. You can only be stupid enough only for so long to buy into their bs,It just keeps getting deeper and deeper to the point of no return but the fact that people actually buy into this garbage blows my mind.
If we were actually a Communist country, these same people would be crying out for capitalism. The current cry is a convenient cause for them to attempt to add meaning to their otherwise seemingly meaningless lives. Like rebellious teenagers trying to anger their parents, these people are hungry for recognition and acceptance by their peers. It’s a lot of “hey, look at me, I’m cool, I matter.”
Unfortunately, they’re being used and are the needed horde of useful idiots that the true evil doers need.
There are plenty of useful idiots on the right too. This cult of Trump is hilarious. The manly closet homosexuals like Lindsay Graham. You telling me that Josh Hawley is straight too?
They are all covering for the Epstein class. The establishment Democrats are too. This is why “Democratic Socialists” are gaining traction. But they are not Socialists, communists, or any other kind of “ist”. They are opportunists, preying on the gullible, just like MAGA and the Trumpers are.
Divide and conquer. That is the goal. Oligarchs give to both extremes to keep us fighting.
They will soon own everything and we will all be vassals for them.
More “both sides” bullshit from the resident blowhard. There’s NOTHING on the Republican side that comes close to the Mamdanis, AOCs, Bernies and El Sayeds. NOTHING.
Blah, blah blah. Same s##t different day from Maitano. Always starts out railing against the Democrats then veers towards the Republicans and conservatives. Same ‘ole Same ‘ole. Funny how people like Maitano and our other “Democratic Socialists” have the freedom to go anywhere in the world yet choose to stay in a country they despise. There are no border crises from asylum seekers in “Socialist Paradises” like Nicaragua and Cuba, nor any of the various Sharia practicing Muslim countries. The only border security they need is TO KEEP THEIR OWN PEOPLE FROM LEAVING SO YOU CAN’T ESCAPE. Amazing to believe this country just made two hundred and fifty years, warts and all, and is still the greatest country in the whole fricking WORLD. An experiment that is still developing. Even as the idiots from the Left are trying to undermine us. Thanks Jimmy and give John our best.
You 2, as well as others here who respond with name calling (ad hominem) are pathetic little bullies. Instead of using your intelligence to argue against our points you mud sling with name calling.
The easiest way to silence an idiot is by simply ignoring them.
Jimmy, Yianni,
Spot on. However, this sudden shift to the far far left, can be laid at the feet of the socialist professors, teachers and administrators that have been indoctrinating our young, empty headed and spoiled brat kids, for two generations! They’ve been taught success can only be achieved by taking the funds earned away from them and distributing them to the rest of us on an “equal” basis! They “deserve” it! What a crock of Bulls–t! But this movement of empty headed youth were never permitted to study socialist countries that failed miserably, and must continue to imprison, execute or torture all those who don’t follow the party line…while those at the top of the food chain in those countries prosper, have mansions, estates, dachas, along with servants and chauffered limos. Equality for all, righth? NO, only for the chosen few….beware America, they’re coming for our freedoms….
Another great column, James, brought off with your casual brilliance. Would have thought I was the only one who recalled TRAC, TRAC — 1966 when a crew of communists could be played as charming. Our homegrown communists today . . . zero charm potential.
Don’t forget Jonathon Winters as the deputy sheriff more hysterically intense than Don Knotts. Or the two old ladies tied up from the switchboard office. The Cold War was better material than the Woke War.
To stray away from politics for a moment.
“ Emergency, Emergency, Please to get from street”.
I love this movie.
Ok, back to politics. I think one of today’s problems is that the education system has stopped teaching history and have replaced it with socialism. In today’s USA would the people of the town pick up arms and go to the dock to face the Russians? Fortunately, some would but surprisingly many wouldn’t.
Let’s give credit to Teachers Unions for indoctrinating kids in public schools. The brainwashing is very, very successful…
Ooooops, I forgot: HAPPY NAGASAKI DAY!
“Bullies.” That’s SO early 2000s.
Reading comprehension a problem for you Tommy Boy? I clearly laid out the reasons why I find Robert’s constant “both sides” screeds, no matter what the subject is, so freaking tiresome.
Biggest problem for Republicans beating these people at the ballot box is they think calling a DSA a socialist or communist as a pejorative will work. It won’t because too many people don’t know what a true communist or socialist run government/nation is.
No one has told them of the millions of their own citizens were killed by Stalin/Mao/Hitler (National German Socialist Workers Party), the Kims, Pol Pot, Castro and others in implementing their misguided policies. They don’t know how Venezuela was the richest South American country and is now the poorest after Chavez/Maduro. They just don’t know. How can they get that education?
Their rallying cry is the redistribution of wealth, how much damage would the forced liquidation of such a large amount of equites cause ? Feeding that back into the economy as cash would cause how much inflation ? I am just an unashamed joe six pack , no deep understanding of economics. Has anyone bothered to examine this issue ?