Benny Johnson Asks Bernie Sanders Supporters at Iowa State Fair Where Socialism Has Worked
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Benny Johnson Asks Bernie Sanders Supporters at Iowa State Fair Where Socialism Has Worked
Benny Johnson ventured to the Iowa State Fair where Bernie Sanders was scheduled to speak and posed one simple question to his supporters: Where has socialism worked? The answers ranged from "nowhere" to Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, with some claiming America's waste management, police, and fire departments prove socialism works. Others cited FDR's presidency, Social Security, and the highway system. The responses reveal a fascinating split in how Americans understand socialism, with few mentioning Venezuela, Cuba, China, or North Korea. Johnson highlights the irony of supporters advocating for a system while struggling to name successful examples.
Confronting Socialism Supporters at the Iowa State Fair
Benny Johnson set up outside the Iowa State Fair where Bernie Sanders was preparing to speak, ready to ask one straightforward question to the assembled supporters: Where has socialism worked in America or anywhere in the world?
The first person Johnson approached gave an unexpectedly honest answer: "It has not." Another respondent said "nowhere-ish," calling socialism a "socialist unicorn" that's "magical."
A Wide Range of Answers
As Johnson continued his questioning, the responses varied wildly. Some supporters cited American institutions and programs:
Social Security
The highway system
Fire departments
Police departments
Public schools
U.S. Military
Waste management
Johnson pushed back on these examples, noting that many veterans and police officers would be surprised to learn they're considered socialists. When one person mentioned waste management as an example of successful socialism, Johnson quipped, "You want to see great waste management? Try socialist Venezuela where people are literally eating the garbage."
European Countries Dominate the List
The most common answers pointed to European nations:
Norway
Sweden
Denmark
Finland
The Netherlands
Germany
France
UK
Spain
Greece
Portugal
One supporter argued these countries have "higher happiness" than the United States, along with universal healthcare, free college, and less wealth inequality. Johnson noted the irony when Greece was mentioned, given the country's well-documented financial troubles. Another person pointed out that in Denmark, cars are taxed almost as much as they cost.
Historical References and Corporate America
Several respondents cited FDR's presidency as proof of successful socialism in America. Johnson reminded viewers that FDR's extended tenure led to a constitutional amendment implementing term limits for presidents.
In one of the more surprising moments, supporters listed "corporate America" and "Wall Street" as examples of socialism working. Johnson seemed both amused and baffled by this claim.
Republican Congressman Weighs In
Congressman David Young, a Republican, happened to be at the fair and Johnson asked him the same question. Without hesitation, Young answered: "It's not worked anywhere. Nowhere in the world."
The Best Answer of the Day
Johnson reserved special recognition for what he called "the best answer today": "Socialism has worked out for Bernie Sanders. He has four mansions, and so socialism has absolutely worked out for Bernie Sanders super well."
Notable Omissions
Throughout all the interviews, Johnson pointed out a glaring pattern: not a single Bernie Sanders supporter mentioned Venezuela, El Salvador, Guatemala, Cuba, China, North Korea, or Russia as examples of successful socialism. These countries, often cited by critics as cautionary tales of socialist policies, were conspicuously absent from the conversation.
The exercise revealed a fundamental disconnect in how Americans discuss socialism, with supporters often pointing to social programs in capitalist democracies or Scandinavian countries with mixed economies, while critics reference authoritarian regimes with centrally planned economies.
