(Blog) The Written Word of Democratic Socialists of America - Ep. 942 - July 13, 2026

DSA Platform Debate: Senate, Courts, and Liberty

A political organization does not need millions of members to influence elections. If its supporters organize around primary races, recruit candidates, and show up consistently, a smaller movement can win influence far beyond its share of the population.

On The Smith and Rowland Show, Alan Smith and Jeff Rowland discuss the Democratic Socialists of America, its reported growth, and proposals they say could alter the structure of American government. Their conversation centers on constitutional checks, state representation, military strength, work, faith, and political participation.

Why the DSA's Political Influence Concerns the Hosts

The episode opens with concern over the Democratic Socialists of America, commonly called the DSA. Smith and Rowland say many Americans once viewed the group as a fringe activist organization with little practical political power.

That view, they argue, is harder to maintain when DSA-backed candidates win Democratic primaries in cities across the country. The hosts cite an article stating that the organization has surpassed 120,000 members, which they acknowledge is a small number compared with a U.S. population of more than 300 million.

Still, membership totals do not tell the whole story of political influence. A committed group can have an outsized role in low-turnout elections, especially primaries where a relatively small number of votes may decide who appears on the general-election ballot.

Why Primary Elections Can Shift Political Power

Rowland argues that the DSA's apparent success comes from focused organization rather than broad public support. In his view, the group has supporters, money, younger activists, and candidates who are willing to run in contests that many voters overlook.

A smaller political movement can gain ground when it does four things well:

1. It recruits candidates for local, state, and federal offices.
2. It concentrates on primary elections with lower participation.
3. It motivates supporters to vote consistently.
4. It fills the gap left by citizens who do not follow local politics or skip elections.

The hosts return often to this issue of participation. They believe Americans who stay home on election day make it easier for disciplined organizations to shape the direction of political parties and public policy.

A movement's influence depends on turnout and organization, not only on its national membership total.

The Broad Agenda Discussed in the Episode

Smith and Rowland say the DSA proposals discussed in the article go beyond higher taxes or larger government programs. They describe an agenda that, in their reading, includes changes to the Constitution, economic policy, immigration, foreign policy, and the structure of federal government.

The hosts connect these proposals to former President Barack Obama's statement that he wanted to "fundamentally transform America." They argue that the changes discussed by the DSA reflect the kind of transformation that phrase suggested to them.

Their chief concern is not that every proposal will become law. Instead, they focus on how ideas that once seemed politically unthinkable can become ordinary topics of public debate through repetition.

How Controversial Ideas Become Familiar

Rowland describes the process as gradual. A radical proposal enters political discussion, news outlets cover it, commentators debate it, and podcasts repeat it. Over time, the proposal gains public recognition simply because people hear it so often.

Smith calls that process a "sneaky snake." His point is that public exposure can make an idea seem more acceptable even before most voters have examined its consequences.

Repeated exposure can move an unfamiliar proposal from the political margins into ordinary public debate.

The hosts do not argue that discussion itself is wrong. Their concern is that people may start treating every idea as a reasonable option simply because it receives attention. They urge viewers to judge proposals against the Constitution, individual liberty, and the long-term effects on the country.

Why the Hosts Oppose Abolishing the U.S. Senate

One of the most serious proposals discussed in the episode is abolishing the U.S. Senate. Smith and Rowland see the Senate as a core protection within the American constitutional system.

The House of Representatives and Senate use different forms of representation:

The hosts describe this arrangement as part of the American republic. Population matters in the House, but state equality matters in the Senate. A small state has the same number of senators as a large state.

State Representation and Rural Communities

Smith argues that removing the Senate would weaken the political standing of individual states. He says a fully population-based system could allow major metropolitan areas to exercise far greater control over smaller states, rural communities, and less populated regions.

The conversation points to New York City and Los Angeles as examples of large population centers that could gain more influence under a system based entirely on population. Their concern is not that city residents should lack representation. Instead, they believe the Senate prevents large population centers from overrunning the interests of smaller states.

For the hosts, the issue comes down to whether the country treats states as meaningful political units or only as geographic boundaries within a national popular-vote system.

The Electoral College Connection

Smith and Rowland also connect the Senate to the Electoral College. They argue that eliminating the Senate could lead to renewed efforts to remove the Electoral College, since both institutions give weight to the role of states in national governance.

They do not claim that one change would automatically cause the other. However, they believe both proposals move the country closer to a system based entirely on national majority rule.

Their concern is that majority rule alone does not protect minority interests, states, or individual rights. The Constitution places limits on what a majority can do because basic rights should not depend only on the size of a voting bloc.

In the hosts' view, the Senate and Electoral College are safeguards that keep population majorities from holding unchecked power.

Republic, Majority Rule, and Individual Rights

The discussion draws a distinction between a constitutional republic and direct majority control. Smith and Rowland argue that the American system was designed to protect individual rights, state representation, and checks and balances, even when a majority wants a different outcome.

Rowland says that one person should retain the same basic rights as millions of people. In that view, a majority cannot rightfully vote away a person's God-given rights simply because it has enough votes to do so.

The hosts connect this argument to the Bill of Rights. They believe constitutional rights should restrain political majorities rather than change whenever a majority has the power to impose its will.

Why an Informed Electorate Matters

Smith also reflects on the principle of one person, one vote. He supports broad voting rights, but he argues that voting works best when citizens understand American history, the Constitution, and the reasons behind the country's institutions.

That concern leads back to education. A voter who understands why the Senate exists, why courts have independence, and why the federal government has separate branches can better judge proposals to change those systems.

The hosts see civic knowledge as a responsibility. Without it, they argue, voters may support sweeping changes without recognizing what protections they are giving up.

Congress, the President, and the Courts

Another proposal discussed in the episode is the idea that Congress should control the executive and judicial branches. The article read during the show presents an argument that unelected judges and a powerful presidency can prevent Congress from carrying out the will of voters.

Smith and Rowland reject that argument. They defend the separation of powers because they believe concentrated authority leads to abuse.

The Constitution divides federal power among Congress, the president, and the judiciary. Each branch has distinct duties, and each can limit the others in certain ways. The hosts believe that system protects liberty even when it slows the political process.

Who Would Restrain Congress?

The key question raised during the episode is simple: If Congress controls the president and the courts, who restrains Congress?

Smith and Rowland argue that no branch of government should hold unchecked power. Congress writes laws, the executive branch carries them out, and courts review legal disputes and constitutional questions. Removing that separation would weaken the protections built into the system.

They also say the agenda under discussion includes proposals to eliminate the presidency and the Supreme Court. Because the full platform text is not reproduced in the episode, the discussion focuses on the hosts' understanding of those proposals rather than a complete policy analysis.

In their view, removing the presidency, courts, Senate, and Electoral College would leave few barriers against majority control. They describe that outcome as a system with weakened rule of law and fewer protections for those outside the political majority.

Work, Government Programs, and Personal Responsibility

The hosts also discuss economic ideas associated with Democratic Socialism. They say college campuses have helped spread support for government-funded education, expanded public services, and the belief that more services should be available without direct cost to the individual.

Smith and Rowland question the use of the word "free." Their argument is that any government-funded program must be paid for by someone, whether through taxes, debt, or cuts elsewhere in the budget.

They also criticize the idea of redistribution, which they describe as taking resources from the wealthy and giving them to others through government policy. Their concern is that a system built around guaranteed provision can weaken the connection between work, production, and personal responsibility.

The Debate Over a Shorter Workweek

During the conversation, the hosts mention DSA candidates who have advocated reducing the standard workweek from 40 hours to roughly 32 or 36 hours. A four-day, 32-hour workweek may sound attractive to workers who want more time away from the job.

However, Smith and Rowland question whether the model works in practice. Rowland references Australia as an example he says did not work, though the episode does not provide details about a specific Australian policy or study.

The discussion frames the issue this way:

Smith compares socialism to a system that works in theory but fails when put into real life. Rowland agrees, arguing that a society cannot continue if too many people expect benefits without contributing to the production of goods and services.

Why the Hosts Defend Military Spending

The DSA proposal to reduce military spending dramatically receives some of the strongest criticism in the episode. Supporters of large defense cuts may argue that money could instead go to health care and education.

Smith and Rowland respond that military spending affects more than weapons and overseas operations. Smith says defense spending also supports jobs, while both hosts argue that national defense protects the country from threats that become more expensive after conflict begins.

Military Strength as Insurance

Smith calls military spending an "insurance policy." In the article discussed on the show, the U.S. military is described as helping secure global shipping lines, protect allies, deter hostile powers, and discourage wars before they start.

The hosts believe a strong military reduces the chance that hostile governments will test American resolve. They name China, Russia, and Iran as countries unlikely to reduce their ambitions if the United States chose to reduce its military role.

Their argument is based on the idea that power does not sit idle. When one country withdraws from an area of influence or responsibility, another country may move to fill the opening.

Syria, Ukraine, and America's Role Abroad

Rowland points to Syria as an example of Russia taking a more active role in the Middle East when the United States had a smaller role there. He also refers to tensions involving American and Russian forces in Syria.

The hosts discuss Russia's actions in Ukraine and Crimea in the context of the collapse of the Soviet Union and Russia's interest in former Soviet territory. They do not offer a detailed history of those conflicts. Instead, they use those events to argue that the United States has responsibilities because of its military strength, economy, and position in world affairs.

Smith then draws a parallel to Christian civic participation. Just as a nation leaves space for others when it abandons its responsibilities, he argues that Christians leave public life to others when they stay silent or disengaged.

Socialism and Replacement Theology

A religious theme runs through the episode when Smith compares socialism to replacement theology. This comparison is his theological and political interpretation, not a neutral definition of either term.

In Smith's view, replacement theology attempts to take over a God-given position of authority. He applies a similar argument to socialism, which he says replaces individual authority and responsibility with collective control.

The hosts describe collectivism as an effort to place resources and responsibilities in common. They reject the idea that such a system can balance fairly in real life, especially when people have different levels of effort, skill, productivity, and need.

For Smith and Rowland, liberty depends on more than voting. It also depends on personal responsibility, meaningful work, private initiative, and limits on government power.

College Campuses, Churches, and Political Participation

The hosts believe college campuses are helping produce younger voters who support Democratic Socialist ideas. They say students hear promises of free education, government-provided services, and expanded public support, then carry those views into activism and elections.

Their concern is not limited to college students. Smith and Rowland repeatedly argue that citizens who oppose these ideas must participate in elections rather than assume someone else will stop political changes they dislike.

The Role of Christian Voters

Both hosts urge Christians to vote and stay engaged in civic life. Rowland says Christians have too often remained silent or stayed home, allowing organized political movements to gain ground.

Smith agrees that churchgoers in the pews can have a major effect on elections. However, he distinguishes between church members and church leaders. He believes many ordinary Christians would still support constitutional government and limited government if they understood the issues and voted consistently.

The hosts' civic message is direct:

• Read political proposals instead of relying on slogans.
• Learn how the Constitution structures government.
• Understand the history behind institutions such as the Senate and Electoral College.
• Participate in primary and general elections.
• Stay involved between election cycles.

Why the Hosts Criticize Silent Pulpits

Smith and Rowland also criticize pastors who do not address political and constitutional questions from the pulpit. Rowland argues that pastors should speak openly about public issues that affect religious freedom, national policy, and the future of the country.

"Pastors and pulpits need to be addressing this problem out loud."

The hosts disagree over why many pastors remain silent. Rowland suggests that fear may be part of the reason. Smith takes a harder position, arguing that some pastors may agree with Democratic Socialist ideas but do not state that agreement openly.

That accusation is presented as Smith's view, based partly on people he says the hosts know personally. The episode does not establish that it applies broadly to pastors or churches.

The conversation also connects the DSA's position on Israel to the hosts' concerns about replacement theology. Smith argues that anti-Israel sentiment is a central part of the agenda he is criticizing, while Rowland links the issue to the broader need for churches to speak clearly about public matters.

The Civic Question at the Center of the Debate

The discussion between Alan Smith and Jeff Rowland is built around a single concern: Americans should understand the political ideas competing for influence before those ideas become accepted as ordinary policy.

Their defense of the Senate, Electoral College, independent courts, military strength, work, and Christian civic participation comes from a shared belief that liberty requires limits on power. They argue that constitutional safeguards matter most when a political majority wants to remove them.

The episode also presses a personal question for viewers. Political systems do not change through platforms alone. They change when citizens either participate with knowledge and conviction or leave the decisions to others.

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