Bill de Blasio goes full-blown socialist, says America needs 'actual redistribution' of wealth

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio (D), who is exploring a campaign for president, went full socialist over the weekend, advocating for an economic system that promotes "actual redistribution" of wealth.

De Blasio's comments came during a visit to Nevada, an important stop on the campaign trail for presidential candidates that will be the third overall contest of the Democratic primary season next February.

What did de Blasio say?

The mayor, who often flirts with socialist policy ideas, endorsed redistribution of wealth during a forum in Las Vegas on Friday in response to a question about reparations, according to the New York Post.

Reparations for slavery and segregation have become a hot-button issue among Democratic presidential candidates in recent weeks.

"There's no question that the issue of reparations has to be taken seriously," De Blasio said. "I do believe the way to do it is to form a very public commission and say, 'What is the way to address this problem once and for all?'"

But the dialogue should not end with reparations, De Blasio added, suggesting there be a "bigger discussion about income inequality and oppression of other groups including Latinos, Native Americans, Asian and women."

"I think we're going to need something bigger even in a way, broader even in a way, then some of the ideas that have been put out there," De Blasio said. "I think a program of actual redistribution which includes much heavier taxes on the wealthy."

"The ultimate resolution has to be profoundly economic," he asserted.

According to the New York Post, just 35 people were in attendance at the event.

Anything else?

Redistribution of wealth is not a new idea for De Blasio. In fact, just last month, he argued on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that wealth in America is concentrated in the "wrong hands," and therefore should be redistributed to working-class people.

"I'm a social Democrat. I believe that we're living in a capitalist system that has strengths and weaknesses and we have to address it with a strong role of government," De Blasio said.

"There's plenty of money in this world, and there's plenty in this country but it's in the wrong hands. And we have to have policies that give people a chance again by redistributing some of that money back to working people," he argued.