Reform VS revolution is basically always the debate in a movement.
Yes there is evidence that welfare for the people was able to provide the middle class in the US with wealth. And democratic socialism seems to be working well in Europe.
But the threat of the rich coming back and taking it is very really. Reagan in the 80s. Brexit. Other “populist” movements in other countries.
Half hearted reform barely works for the poor and we’re always an election or two away from shit.
So I kind of get both sides.
Honestly, as a European, there is no such thing as democratic socialism here. There a handful of countries with a decent welfare system, others who used to have a decent one but which are demolishing it bit-by-bit since the 80s/90s.
There are way less differences between the US system and European systems than between European system and what a Democratic socialism looks like.
Europe doesn’t have socialism and a lot of countries would be super pissed at you if you called them that. People died trying to get out of socialism and they don’t want it now.