Maher knocks democratic socialists as communists: 'They're not trying to hide it'

Political commentator Bill Maher attacked the rise of democratic socialism on his talk show, fretting how the movement has entered the Democratic party. During his HBO show "Real Time" on Friday, Maher criticized democratic socialism and the organization behind it Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) for its likeness to "communism." "Not a week goes by where I don't read about some newly chosen excited new face in the Democratic party and then when that face opens its mouth the Communist Manifesto or some other crazy s- - - comes out," he continued. ... On its website, the DSA describes democratic socialism as "a system where ordinary people have a real voice in our workplaces, neighborhoods, and society" and outlines a push for collective ownership of "key economic drivers that dominate our lives." Maher expressed how his vote would be "in play" because of how far left he has seen the Democratic party go. He continued to compare DSA to communism, saying "five years ago, [the Democratic Party] shunned communists. That changed. Things change." Maher's comments echo President Trump, who has also compared democratic socialism to communism in remarks to reporters at the Oval Office in June. "I think it's the biggest threat to our nation there is, maybe since our founding," he said.