The New Democrats; same as the old Bolsheviks — and the Soviet/Russian nomenklatura*

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Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner embraces democratic socialism at Bernie Sanders rally in Portland

The presumptive Democratic nominee told progressives he would do 'whatever it takes' to fuel a 'political revolution'

Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner appeared alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., on Monday and echoed several Sanders-style progressive themes, criticizing five-term Republican Sen. Susan Collins, criticizing and U.S. weapons spending tied to conflicts in Gaza and Iran.

Platner, the presumptive Democratic nominee seeking to unseat Collins in November, made the fiery remarks during a "Fighting Oligarchy" rally led by Sanders in Portland — an event aimed at mobilizing progressive activists and expanding grassroots organizing efforts ahead of the midterm elections. The Portland event was one of Sanders’ Maine stops with Platner and gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson.

During the rally, Platner leaned heavily into anti-corporate rhetoric, telling a crowd of cheering progressives they must build a "political revolution" and take back "what is ours."

We are taking back what is ours. We're going to take it back from the corporations that seek profit, no matter the cost from the billionaires for whom greed is the point, and from corrupt politicians like Susan Collins, corrupt politicians who have sold us out," Platner said.

Fun fact: Bernie Sanders, who has never held a job in the private sector, owns three houses, including a Washington D.C. townhouse and lakeside camp in Vermont, has a net worth estimated at (at least) $2-3 million.

*If you’re not familiar with the term, this Google summary is close enough, although it doesn’t mention that when the Soviet Union collapsed, the nomenklatura stayed in power and proceeded to get even wealthier.

The nomenklatura was the Soviet Communist Party's patronage and appointment system. It consisted of classified lists of key administrative, economic, and political positions, alongside the approved individuals eligible to fill them. It served as the primary mechanism for the Party to maintain absolute control over the Soviet state. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Key features of the nomenklatura included:

  • Political Loyalty Over Merit: Appointments were not based on technical expertise, but on absolute loyalty to the Communist Party and strict adherence to the party line.

  • Centralization: The Party controlled the personnel of almost every sphere of national life. From industrial managers and university rectors to local government officials and military commanders, every important leader required approval from the Party's hierarchy.

  • The "New Class": Over time, the nomenklatura evolved into a de facto ruling class or elite. They enjoyed significant privileges inaccessible to the general public, such as access to special well-stocked shops, superior housing, vacation dachas, and better healthcare.

  • System Origins: Formally established in the early 1920s under Joseph Stalin, the system grew from personnel records designed to centralize state administration. By 1985, the system encompassed millions of positions across the USSR, with the Central Committee alone managing key posts. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]