‘Give us more of that socialism’: Markey, Warren rally Democrats in Holyoke

HOLYOKE — As President Donald Trump derides the growing influence of socialism within the Democratic Party, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and Sen. Elizabeth Warren did not shy away from the word early Saturday morning in Holyoke.

Instead, they fully embraced it.

“Give us more of that socialism,” was Markey’s mantra as he spoke before a crowd of about 200 people gathered for a forum focused on affordability. Markey is seeking a third term in a Democratic primary against U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Lynn. The primary vote will be held Sept. 1.

The Massachusetts Democrats took the stage together in what often felt more like a pep rally than a policy forum, firing up the crowd in the Leslie Phillips Theater at Holyoke Community College with calls to expand access to education, invest in clean energy and make healthcare more affordable.

A spirited 80-year-old Markey, wearing Air Jordans with a blue suit and open collar, repeatedly embraced the term “socialism” while arguing for government programs aimed at lowering costs for working families.

He pointed to a Massachusetts ballot measure that increased taxes on millionaires and billionaires to help fund free community college in the Bay State.

“That money is being useful right now,” Markey said. “By the way, they call that socialism. Well, we’re saying, give us more of that — that every kid has access to education which they are entitled to, so that they can maximize their God-given abilities.”

Markey also advocated for federal subsidies for the clean energy industry to power a “clean energy revolution.” He argued that government support for natural gas and coal had helped build the country’s energy infrastructure.

So when it comes to incentives for clean energy, he said again, “give me more of that socialism.”

Meanwhile, the senators argued that the federal government is spending money on the wrong priorities, including war and immigration enforcement, while cutting Medicaid and Affordable Care Act subsidies.

Markey took a jab at his primary opponent Moulton, who does not support Medicare for All, but instead has advocated for a “Medicare for all who want it” option that allows people to keep their existing plan or choose a government plan.

Markey and Warren were among a small group of senators who voted against a roughly $1 trillion defense spending bill. Markey also criticized the Trump administration’s approach to energy costs, saying the price of energy has been influenced by what he called Trump’s war in Iran that has blocked shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Markey framed the broader question of affordability as a question of whether government and the economy are working for ordinary Americans.

“Capitalism will start to work again for everybody,” he said.

Warren, who is serving her third term as senator and who sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, also used the forum to criticize Trump’s economic policies, including tariffs and tax cuts. She said both policies contributed to higher costs, from gasoline to groceries and reduced access to healthcare.

She accused Trump of using the presidency to enrich himself while Americans face rising prices.

“Cost and corruption, baby,” Warren said, characterizing the Trump presidency.

Warren cited Trump’s cryptocurrency ventures as an example of corruption and self-enrichment, saying the venture has generated $1.4 billion for the president in his first year, while affecting about 1 million investors suffered a combined $3 billion in losses, she said.

Warren also criticized the administration’s focus on spectacle rather than helping people in the United States and around the world, referring to Trump’s “gold-encrusted ballrooms and triumphal arches.”

During the forum, four questions were taken from the audience, two focused on how Democrats can better reach younger voters and ensure a future for the next generation despite artificial intelligence and the increase of automation.

Henry Morgan of Northampton, who is on the board for Progressive Massachusetts, asked how the senators are fighting against a surge of AI.

Markey said he has filed a total of 11 bills on the subject. The bills address issues including children’s privacy and data collection, local authority over data center development and potentially harmful algorithms.

Jonathan Gallagher, a young Holyoke resident attending college in Boston, asked how Democrats can get their message to his generation, which is burdened with debt and the need to work several jobs to make ends meet.

Warren acknowledged that Democrats need to do a better job of engaging voters, particularly younger people. The question prompted a discussion between the two senators about the need to be more present on social media, where young people get their news.

Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia helped energize the crowd before the event, arriving in Under Armour track pants, sneakers and a Holyoke Public Schools softball jersey. He praised Markey’s footwear.

“How cool is it that,” Garcia said, drawing attention to Markey’s Air Jordans.

Holyoke itself was a political hotbed on Saturday. Gov. Maura Healey, who is also facing reelection, was also in town. She stopped by Holyoke’s annual Back to School Fair before another stop in Springfield.