From WNYC, I'm Brian Laird. This is my daily politics podcast. It's Tuesday, July 14th.

With us now, Queens and Nassau Democratic Congressman Tom Swazi, and he's here not just as a Democratic congressman,

but as a Democratic capitalist. After three Democratic Socialists got nominated for Congress

in the New York primary last month, Swazzi helped compose a document called The Promise to America,

signed originally by 15 House Democrats or Democratic candidates, the promise to America rejects socialism

and embraces the word capitalism to describe one of its six principles. The six are

capitalism, safety, fiscal responsibility, effective government, common purpose, and patriotism.

What's more for a document written by Democrats, it's pretty harsh in

describing the party. It says, quote, the Democratic Party has lost sight of what has helped it

govern and lead successfully, historically, unquote. Tom Swazzi's district includes a little bit of

northeast Queens, all of northern Nassau County, and a bit of central

Nassau on Long Island. The promise to America website notes he was one of only two Democrats to

flip a Trump majority district from red to blue for Congress in 2024. Congressman, always good

of you to join us. Welcome back to WNYC. Hey, Brian, always great to talk with you. How do you mean the

word capitalist in democratic capitalist? Why embrace that word as a defining label for yourself?

I think it's important to recognize that our system of our economy in the United States of America

has been the envy of the world. And a system

based upon competition has resulted in more innovation, has lifted more people out of poverty,

has made people's lives better. There are very rough edges that come with capitalism.

Fortunately, we have a system of democracy in our country that says all men and women

are created equal.

And even if you're not a good competitor, you should still have a decent life.

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