Year: 2026

Democratic Socialists of America Membership Sets Record as 58% of Democrats View Socialism Favorably

On July 4, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) boasted of record membership. Meanwhile, a strong majority of Democrat Americans said they have a favorable view of socialism and a plurality say it’s a better economic system than capitalism, results of a new survey of U.S. adult citizens reveal.
In a social media post on Saturday, DSA announced that it has become the largest socialist organization in U.S. history:
“On July 4, 2026, Democratic Socialists of America passed 120,000 members, making us the largest socialist organization in United States history and surpassing the Socialist Party of America under Eugene Debs, which reached its peak dues-paying membership in 1912.”
In a national survey of U.S. adult citizens, conducted June 26-29, The Economist/YouGov polled Americans’ views of socialism and socialist agenda items, including the following question:
“Which is the better economic system?”
One in three (34%) Democrats said that socialism is the better economic system, more than the 22%, or about one in five, who said capitalism is better. Another 43% of Democrats weren’t sure which is the superior system. Among all American citizens, 44% preferred capitalism, while 19% voted for socialism.
In another question, the survey asked:
“Do you have a favorable or an unfavorable opinion of socialism?”
Fully 58% of Democrats said they view socialism favorably – more than five times the 11% who said they have an unfavorable opinion of socialism. When all other U.S. citizens are factored in, 39% said they view it unfavorably, 32% said they have a favorable view and 29% weren’t sure what they thought.
Likewise, 62% of Democrats said that they would vote for a candidate who identified as a “Democratic Socialist,” far more than the 24% of Independents, 3% of Republicans and 29% of all adult citizens who said they would be willing to do so.
When it comes to health insurance, three-fourths (73%) of Democrats said they support the socialist goal of eliminating private enterprise and putting the federal government in complete control.
Here, 73% of Democrats said they support a “national health plan in which all Americans get their health insurance from the federal government and private health insurance companies are eliminated,” while only 13% said they oppose a government takeover. In contrast, 54% of Republicans voiced opposition and 30% expressed support.
Among self-described Socialists, 90% support eliminating private health insurance companies and replacing them with a federal monopoly of health insurance.
Three-fourths (77%) of Democrats also favor taxpayer-funded college tuition for all students, while just 13% oppose having the government cover the cost of college tuition for everyone. Among Republicans, however, 54% oppose such a plan, while just 30% support it.
Public housing is another socialist agenda item widely supported by Democrat adults, as 79% of those surveyed said “the government should build public housing.” Among Republicans, 35% said it should, while 47% said it shouldn’t.
Despite their support for socialist ideals, just 15% of Democrats said they “think the Democratic Party is socialist.” Among all U.S. citizens, 31% defined the Democrat Party as socialist. Slightly more said they disagree (36%) or aren’t sure (33%).
Nonetheless, Democratic Socialists’ influence in the Democratic Party is on the rise, thanks in part to the ascent of New York City’s DSA-member mayor, as The Washington Examiner explains:
“[Mayor Zohran] Mamdani and a dozen other local candidates across the U.S. won in November 2025 with the DSA’s help in get-out-the-vote operations, outreach, and other campaign efforts. DSA candidates asserted more control over the Democratic Party in June with three primary wins in New York, prompting criticism from more centrist Democrats.
….
“The group reported increasing membership after DSA member and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Democratic primary win in June 2025.”

California Almost Completely Ignores Recent SCOTUS 2A Ruling While Defending Glock Ban From DOJ Suit

‘Bonta argues a Glock is not even an arm’

Blue States Have Higher Electricity Costs, and Net Zero Policies Are to Blame, Analysis Shows

Proponents of renewable energy often claim that wind and solar are the cheapest forms of energy and will drive down electricity rates. However, electricity costs continue to rise faster than inflation, with no sign the trend is reversing, even as the amount of wind and solar grows in the grid. 
Last December, the Always On Energy Research and the Institute for Energy Research completed an analysis of electricity rates and found that residents of blue states see higher electricity bills than those of red states. 

Supreme Court Won’t Block Texas App Store Age Verification Law

REUTERS—The Supreme Court declined on Monday to block a Texas law requiring app stores and developers to verify the age of mobile device users and for minors to obtain parental consent to download apps or make purchases, acting in a challenge on free speech grounds by a technology industry group and students. The justices denied requests by…

Defensive Gun Uses By People Legally Carrying Guns: 33 Cases During January 2026

Bradenton, Florida, January 1, 2026 (ABC7 WWSB) A 36-year-old man who died in a New Year’s Day shooting was killed in an act of self-defense after he confronted a couple outside their home, investigators said. The State Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and determined the homeowner’s actions were justified, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s […]

The post Defensive Gun Uses By People Legally Carrying Guns: 33 Cases During January 2026 appeared first on Crime Prevention Research Center.

Metro Nashville Spends More on Grants for Pro-Illegal Alien Nonprofits than Unemployment, Historical Commission, or MNPS Audits

A review of the Metro Nashville budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 reveals that more money was appropriated as grants for the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) and Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors (TNJFON), two nonprofits that provide support to illegal aliens, than the city spends on more recognizable expenses including unemployment, the Historical Commission, and an audit for Metro Nashville Public Schools.
Appropriations totaling $735,000 for TIRRC and $718,000 for TNJFON were included in the FY 2027 budget proposed by Mayor Freddie O’Connell in May and were included in the $3.85 billion budget passed by the Metro Council last month. Together, the nonprofits are slated to receive about $1.453 million.

Semiquincentennial

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – As America marks the Semiquincentennial, the Declaration of Independence invites renewed attention to its overlooked history, from July 2nd debates to New England pulpits. Understanding its origins, ratification, and enduring principles helps restore national memory and encourages citizens to preserve liberty for generations still to come in faith…

Could Voting While Uniformed Be a Problem? Lawsuit Says Arizona Rule Restricts Law Enforcement at Polling Places

An Arizona election policy could make it more difficult for law enforcement, service members, or other uniform-wearing individuals to vote, according to a federal lawsuit. Democrats are frequently eager to use the phrase “voter suppression” when talking about voter ID or other election procedures to verify voter eligibility. But Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes,…