DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – Michigan’s Democratic U.S. Senate hopefuls squared off in another debate Monday night on Fox 2 Detroit, largely sticking to familiar themes.
Physician Abdul El-Sayed doubled down on his call to abolish ICE, describing the agency as a “paramilitary force” that “doesn’t need to exist.” He went on to criticize U.S. support for Israel, accusing the country of using American taxpayer dollars to kill kids and women. He also repeatedly attacked his opponent, Rep. Haley Stevens, over the sources of her campaign funding, citing AIPAC, DTE Energy, Big Pharma, Big Tech, oil companies and other corporate interests. The issue became such a constant refrain that, regardless of the topic, El-Sayed often steered the conversation back to his opponent’s campaign donors.
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Stevens, meanwhile, cast herself as the experienced candidate who knows how to deliver results, repeatedly highlighting her work in Congress and making Michigan manufacturing the centerpiece of her pitch to voters. Stevens also emphasized that she has earned the endorsements of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and outgoing U.S. Sen. Gary Peters.
A capitalist?
But one moment in the debate stood out above the rest: Abdul El-Sayed describing himself as a capitalist.
Debate moderator and TV news anchor Roop Raj said to El-Sayed, “The Democratic Socialists of America have not made an endorsement in this particular race. But when you go to a rally, and we’ve covered so many of them – so many of them are from that organization. Who are you when it comes to your political stripes? Many people call you progressive. Some have accused you of being a socialist. Not that that’s a bad word, but people have said that about you. Where do you stand on your politics? And how would you describe your politics?”
A detour before the answer.
Rather than answering the question directly, El-Sayed first described himself as “a doctor and a scientist.” He then confusingly pointed to the “policy solutions” he said he developed while rebuilding a health department in the city of Detroit and leading Wayne County’s Department of Health. But those examples centered on government-run programs funded with public dollars rather than private-market activity typically associated with capitalism.
El-Sayed finally answered, “When it comes to the question of socialism. I’m not a socialist. I’m just a capitalist who understands how capitalism works. The biggest threat to capitalism was never the idea of government regulation. It was always monopoly.” El-Sayed explained the need for government to regulate monopolies and oligopolies so that “everyone can actually participate in an economy without having to be forced to pay more or get paid less for the work they do.”
El-Sayed also argued that whether buying groceries, booking a flight or choosing a phone provider, consumers often have only two or three meaningful options. His comments contrast with the impressions shared by the many thousands of visitors from the United Kingdom during the recent FIFA tournament, who were all over social media posting about the wide variety of choices available in the United States, from restaurants and hotels to the selection of products at Buc-ee’s and Walmart.
El-Sayed’s vision of capitalism.
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El-Sayed’s declaration of being a capitalist goes against his “taxing billionaire wealth” section on his website and his Medicare for All plan, which is a government-run, taxpayer-funded health insurance system.
On his website, El-Sayed said, “I believe in right-sizing our tax code to take on the outsized power of excess wealth in our economy and democracy.” El-Sayed also said he wants to “make sure the rich pay their fair share.” Those policy positions differ from the limited-government, free-market principles that many people associate with capitalism. El-Sayed also thinks that he is the one who decides who is too rich, saying at a campaign event, “I don’t begrudge anyone their millions. But I do begrudge everyone their billions.”
What is capitalism?
In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, capitalism is defined as “an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market.”
Free-market advocates generally favor limited government intervention and fewer regulations. El- Sayed’s policy platform, which includes Medicare for All, higher taxes on wealthy Americans and expanded government programs, reflects a different approach.
The shadow of Trump.
The discussion of capitalism also provided context for another recurring theme of the debate: opposition to President Donald Trump’s economic agenda. While Republicans have at times also supported regulations like the Democrats have, President Donald Trump has made deregulation a central part of his economic agenda during both of his terms, arguing it would strengthen American businesses and manufacturing. During Monday night’s debate, however, both El-Sayed and Stevens criticized Trump and his MAGA policies including his tariffs, with his administration sometimes receiving more attention than their likely Republican opponent in November, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers.
A choice for voters.
For a candidate closely aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America, a longtime champion of Medicare for All, a billionaire wealth tax, government-run healthcare, and aggressive federal regulation of industries ranging from AI to housing, the declaration by El-Sayed that he’s a capitalist was quite a big surprise. Whether voters accept El-Sayed’s definition of capitalism – or view it as incompatible with their vision for America’s economic future – will be one of the questions they answer at the ballot box on August 4.
