Independent Media | Campaigning Journalism
Twitter had the perfect response to the right’s latest attempt to badmouth socialism
Elements of the right wing have tried to use Halloween to discredit socialism. Bashing socialism is something they often feel a need to do. But by dragging Halloween into it, they’ve shown that, like your common zombie, what they really need is brains.
The memester mash
A few prominent right-wing figures posted variations on the same meme. These people included the editor-at-large of Infowars – a site that previously claimed the Sandy Hook massacre was staged:
Teach your kids the joys of socialism by giving 50% of their trick or treat hoard to the fat kid down the round who played Xbox all night! đ
— Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) October 30, 2017
This is a new take on a right-wing classic:
Hmm…this tweet sounds familiar… pic.twitter.com/KoQNijTv9q
— Jeremy M (@downtownbrown80) October 30, 2017
It makes even less sense when applied to trick or treating, though – an activity that involves three things capitalists hate:
- Generosity.
- Community.
- The redistribution of wealth (in this instance, sweets).
Teach your kids about capitalism by making them pay strangers for candy they'd otherwise get free under socialist holiday known as Halloween
— Erin Conroy #WaveCastOR (@chargrille) November 1, 2017
Copycat
Donald Trump Jr. tweeted something very similar a day afterwards. This was unsurprising, because if there’s one thing Trump Jr. is known for, it’s following on from someone else while offering nothing original of his own:
Iâm going to take half of Chloeâs candy tonight & give it to some kid who sat at home. Itâs never to early to teach her about socialism. pic.twitter.com/3ie9C0jv2G
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) October 31, 2017
He did provide others with the opportunity to say something fresh, though:
She was given candy for free.
You inherited all your money.
You met with Russian spies.
Itâs âtooâ. https://t.co/Bsf5wkQxST— Zach Braff (@zachbraff) November 1, 2017
Imagine being the son of Donald Trump and believing you earned your candy.
— hdishhakabs (@5max16) October 31, 2017
it's never *too early to teach your child – who just got candy for free off someone else's dime – about the kindness of sharing https://t.co/LczyPjCWCt
— Holly Thompson (@lusterleafholly) November 1, 2017
Spooky
Halloween is traditionally the time of year when unspeakable ghouls wander the land, spreading terror and mischief. In 2017, however, unspeakable ghouls are an everyday occurrence; which is why their ridiculous comments need to be staked at every available opportunity.
Get Involved!
â Join The Canary, so we can keep holding the powerful to account.
Featured image via Flickr
We need your help ...
The coronavirus pandemic is changing our world, fast. And we will do all we can to keep bringing you news and analysis throughout. But we are worried about maintaining enough income to pay our staff and minimal overheads.
Now, more than ever, we need a vibrant, independent media that holds the government to account and calls it out when it puts vested economic interests above human lives. We need a media that shows solidarity with the people most affected by the crisis – and one that can help to build a world based on collaboration and compassion.
We have been fighting against an establishment that is trying to shut us down. And like most independent media, we don’t have the deep pockets of investors to call on to bail us out.
Can you help by chipping in a few pounds each month?
Support us 
