If I say "socialism" what do you think of? What exactly do we, as Americans, think socialism is? Is it just another term like "liberal" or "conservative"? We're hearing that term a lot in this campaign and in the media especially, but what exactly is it?
Well, under Marx, basically all governments of the world were to be overthrown and the citizens of the world would contribute to a single socialist government which would in turn give them what they needed (as the government, of course, decided what they needed and when they needed it.) For example, in the Nazi socialist state the citizens immediately lost all rights to bear arms. Children were indoctrinated with giving their loyalty to the state (not the family.) The Hitler Youth sang songs of devotion to their Fuhrer. Of course, most people didn't actually envision these goals at first, they just thought the socialists would restore order to their economy. China is another example of hard-core socialism and Russia. We all know how that turned out.
Income redistribution is another tenet of socialism. Companies (like oil companies) or wealthy people are fined and penalized for having been successful and working hard in order to support those behind them on the scale. Socialism operates by taking all for the good of the state and redistributing it as the state sees fit. But who says what "fit" actually is; who decides who needs what?
What is more insidious is the softer version of socialism such as what Britain has in place, especially evident in its health care where people can't get treatment if they are deemed too old or too sick by the socialist state. Oh and they lost their guns there, too. Crime is through the roof. Softer socialism destroys individual freedom. Lives are slowly squeezed. Freedoms are lost.
Nancy Pelosi said a few weeks ago we should nationalize oil companies. That really worked for Hugo Chavez. The only folks that pay full market price for his oil is the U.S.
What I like about John McCain today is that I KNOW he believes in the capitalistic system that is the United States of America. I KNOW that he supports the soldiers that have fought against socialism and communism. I KNOW that he supports democracy. I KNOW and believe that John McCain has America's AND American's best interests at heart. I know beyond all doubt that he loves his country. I KNOW that he would never serve on a board with a man that wanted to bomb and destroy his own country. I KNOW that he would NEVER sit in a church with a man that EVER said "God Damn America!" That's why I like John McCain today.
"From each according to his ability, to each according to his need" Karl Marx.
ReplyDeleteOh by the way, "Nasty" Pelosi isn't the only one spewing socialist doctrine, don't forget Maxine Waters, and Barry Soetoro.
I think even IF a president wanted 100% socialism - they couldn't get it here. I think if we wanted 100% anything - capitalism, any "ism", you couldn't get it here. We have too many goals, too many cultures, too many people from different places with different agendas - and our young country develops - we morph into a blend of "isms".
ReplyDeleteIf a President wanted socialism and he had the congress behind him.....
ReplyDeleteabsolutely. Nobody in Germany thought it would be them, either.
I really don't think either President will be doing much more than attempting to clean up the mess Bush is leaving and working on what is handed to them - there's a reason they keep asking "what part of your campaign are you going to sacrifice b/c you're going to have to b/c you will be now left with this mess" and they won't answer -but they will have to drop a lot of their agenda to clean this financial mess up that has only just begun. Besides - it will be closer to socialsim - but honestly - Bush and both parties in Congress agreed to the bailouts that were huge examples of leaning that way - but no one will talk about it once Obama wins - it'll all be his fault. It's silly. I really don't think he wants the country to be *drum roll* EVIL socialist - seriously - even if he veers in that direction in some of his beliefs. It just doesn't freak me out and I think am realistic and informed and educated and smart too.
ReplyDeleteSocialism hasn't worked out so well for Cuba. I don't think the Germans or the Russians did so great under it either. I'm not in a hurry to move to China either.
ReplyDeletei really don't think this country is going to be a true socialist country
ReplyDeletei think that's fear talking or just good ol' McCain fan talk ;)
trust me - i see the connections - but i think there is indeed a blend of "isms" and will see that continue as your hybrid of what consists of "the American people" continues t morph into over time
melting pot
True socialistic country? I don't want any form or socialism. I've been to countries that have forms of socialism.
ReplyDeleteAny form of socialism constricts freedom. I've been to socialistic countries. Sure, they have medical care, but everything, even the number of radios you own is taxed. Income tax is about 75% of what one makes to pay for all the neat programs government provides, whether you use it or not. Ownership of certain properties is forbidden. Too toltalitarian for me.
again - i think the world is changing, and america is the melting pot and you wil have a hybrid of "isms" - no pure "ism" works - even capitalism - everything is a combo of some degree of several "isms". i'm so not scared we're going to be "too" anything. capitalism so far has drug us down - and i'm not GO SOCIALISM -b ut i think it's not going so far that way or even "enough" to be worth all this fear hype the Republicans are putting out
ReplyDeleteThe word melting pot was used to describe people from many different countries coming to this country and assimilating into the American culture. Yes, they held on to their traditions in their neighborhoods. And in time a little bit of their clutures seeped out into the mainstream of American culture, but not one specific culture dominated the other.
ReplyDeleteToday we don't have a melting pot. There is so much polarization because one culture wants to push their culture onto everyone else, and if you don't like it you're either intolerant of a racist. And oh by the way, you better not celebrate your beliefs and traditions in front of me, because if you do you're either intolerant or a racist.
People are coming to this country and refusing to learn English and accept American culture and traditions.
I don't want a world where everyone's culture is the same. I've been to other countries and enjoyed the cultures each one had to offer. And unfortunately, if you go to Europe today you are seeing a stronger Islamic influence in their culture.
And the everythinggoesism is called multiculturalism. And multi-culturalism has done more to cause polarization than to bring people together.
Captalism is dragging us down? Then what is keeping the world economy afloat? Socialism? Communism?
It is because people are out there trying to make money that is keeping the economy afloat. It's me buying shares into a corporation, because I believe that corporation will well, make money and share their profit with me. Unfortunately not everyone can buy shares, but is that my fault? Should I be punished for my fortune?
Oh, by the way, it is becuase of my ability to get extra money through my earnings by investing into capitalistism I can give to charities to help less fortunate people.
It is because of socialistic ideas that has broken California. The free education, mecial care, and other government assistance given to, and I will dare say, illegal immigrants that has so over burdened the system, that the system barely exists today.
And I think a lot of people (the ones who have a lot in common with Republicans, which I am not) have a lot to fear. We are seeing our country taken from us by the likes of Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi who want to push us along into socialism.
One more thought, if we lived as one culture, then it would be a lot easier to put the entire world under the control of a power of someone or something we don't want. And if they try to make eveyone the same, I sure don't want to live like someone who lives in those shack on the south side of the Rio Grande in Juarez, or even worse.