After all I’m anti-fascism and question capitalism.
Two months ago, in the wake of the murder of Charlie Kirk, the Trump/Project 2025 regime published a presidential memoranda that generally proclaims anti-fascism has, “become the organizing rallying cry used by domestic terrorists to wage a violent assault against democratic institutions, constitutional rights, and fundamental American liberties.” The memo claims that people are using the anti-fascism label to, “justify and encourage acts of violent revolution.” Further, it states, “Common threads animating this violent conduct include anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, and anti-Christianity …”
The absolute blatant hypocrisy of cruel, corrupt people professing to be the protectors of Christianity is a topic for another day. The piece that most grabbed me about this memo titled NSPM-7 is the stated protection of capitalism.
I have worked on economic system change for over thirty years and have come to believe that every extremely serious problem facing humanity is the result of a fundamentally flawed economic system. Climate change, species loss, entrenched poverty, and most wars are driven by a global economic system based on extraction, consumption and disregard for resulting damage done to the environment or vulnerable people.
As I’ve written before, quite often when I question capitalism I get accused of being socialist when in fact, I don’t believe we have yet created an economic system suited for current conditions. Similarly, when I’ve criticized my country I’ve been accused of being anti-patriotic. However, I believe it is profoundly patriotic to point out we are not as good as we could be, or have pretended to be, and to look for ways to make us better and stronger.
Quite simply America’s economic system is capitalism of, for and by the ultra-wealthy at the expense of everyone else and the health of our planet. Increasing numbers of people understand this and young people are especially pissed off about it. A survey released this week by the Harvard Institute of Politics finds that Americans under 30 report deep economic insecurity and near complete distrust in government and corporate institutions. By a 57% to 13% margin, they told pollsters America is on the wrong track, and only 32% agree that the US is a healthy democracy or even one that’s “somewhat functioning.” Fully 64% of young American adults say the system is either in trouble or has completely failed.
On economic issues the survey reveals:
- Support for capitalism continues to erode among young Americans, with polarization persisting across most demographics.
- Overall: 39% support (down from 45% in 2020)
- By party: 25% of Democrats (down from 39% in 2020), 59% of Republicans (down from 67% in 2020), 37% of independents (down from 42% in 2020)
- By education: 45% of college students, 34% of non-degree holders, 45% of college graduates
- By financial security: 31% of those struggling/getting by, 42% comfortable/stable, 54% doing well.
- Support for socialism is modest and trending downward, despite rising support among Democrats.
- Overall: 21% support (down from 30% in 2020)
- By party: 47% of Democrats (up from 41% in 2020), 6% of Republicans (down from 11% in 2020), 16% of independents (down from 29% in 2020)
- By education: 22% of college students, 18% of non-degree holders, 29% of college graduates
- By financial security: 25% struggling/getting by, 22% comfortable/stable, 13% doing well.
- Democratic socialism retains broader appeal than socialism, though support has fallen sharply outside the Democratic base.
- Overall: 29% support (down from 40% in 2020)
- By party: 63% of Democrats (roughly the same as 2020, which was 64%), 5% of Republicans (down from 8% in 2020), 24% of independents (down from 32% in 2020)
- By education: 30% of college students, 24% of non-degree holders, 43% of college graduates
- By financial security: 33% struggling/getting by, 32% comfortable/stable, 19% doing well.
- Fewer young Americans identify as “capitalist,” dropping from 29% in 2020 to 19% in 2025 — with declines across Democrats (22% to 9%), Republicans (48% to 37%), and independents (26% to 16%).
In recent months I’ve seen more sources calling the U.S. economy K-shaped, which is the latest expression of wealth inequality. Basically, the wealthiest people and corporations, represented by the top of the K, are doing well and expanding wealth while lower income people and small businesses, represented by the bottom half of the K, are not increasing wealth and are struggling to pay day to day bills. Some of this is driven by the fact that the stock market continues to deliver high returns while wage growth is down for lower income earners and unemployment is up. In other words, capitalism is working for those who already have capital but not for everyone else. Here’s a useful short vid explaining a K-shaped economy.
In addition to driving the greatest wealth inequality in the developed world, the current U.S. version of capitalism is environmentally devastating. This animated chart I had created for a college class I was planning shows how our drive to grow the economy is directly correlated to pollution, plastic waste and species loss. It was this realization and my love and reverence for this magnificent planet that led me to plugging into the New Economy movement more than thirty years ago.
The New Economy movement is comprised of individuals, organizations, and businesses that are committed to shifting to a more sustainable, equitable economic system that prioritizes human well-being and ecological health over endless growth and obscene profits for the few. Here are some resources for those of you interested in helping shape a healthier, saner economic system:
It’s clear to many of us that business as usual isn’t working and will not serve us going forward. We know old systems are failing even as a failing president and right-wing sycophants try to entrench the corrupt status quo through presidential memorandum, executive orders, and backwards legislation.
Although it rarely gets covered in mainstream media, a simple Google search of “New Economy Movement” reveals robust activity and momentum around economic evolution. In the face of the climate crisis and unprecedented wealth inequality we’re imagining, and working toward lives no longer guided and marked by overconsumption, environmental devastation and dreams blocked by lack of opportunity based on economic class.
So, yep, I’m anti-fascism and have a problem with capitalism. Does that make me a terrorist?
P.S. There is a lot more to the Harvard survey of young people than just the economic concerns I’ve presented. I’d highly recommend all of you interested in redirecting and improving our society take a look at the full results. Here is that link again.
P.P.S. Thom Hartmann did a recent post that provides a valuable historical perspective on how capitalism has gone so awry in recent decades. Here is that link.
