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Take a good look around you. 360 degrees. It was all created by capitalism. Your entire life, comfort and enjoyment. Socialism created nothing but misery and generated a few hundred million dead people. One must be an idiot or a criminal to propose socialism!

zesty 7 Feb 22
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0

I think you're talking about communist dictatorships. Sweden and a lot of Scandinavian country's are socialists, they have been largely successful in terms of quality of life, but definitely have the same issues as capitalism. c

In the case of the US, capitalism alone wasn't the cause of the rising middle class. It was specifically a large number of social programs that helped poor people rise to the middle class. So it was a mixture of regulated capitalism and regulated socialism that provider maximum benefits.

China, a communist country, had to introduce minimal capitalist measures in the 1970s to be competitive in the world. And it has worked...sort of. Personally I don't see how communism can work; I don't think it can. It always will become an oligarchy. And I think China will one day have to face that reality.

So no country can get away by being only capitalist or only socialist. Instead it seems those ideas need to applied towards very specific areas and heavily studied and regulated to create an optimal envitonment of success.

But i think we can all agree that dictatorships, in any form, is just bad in every way. And thats what we need to fight at every level. That, and corruption.

0

Do you like police, mail, clean water, sewers, garbage pick up and public streets? You're a socialist.

Support services have nothing to do with the ownership of the means of production.

@zesty yet they are examples of socialism. Not everything is all black and white. If you dislike socialism so much don't pay your taxes. See what that gets you.

2

Oh you deluded one. You not noticed that most stuff is made in China, not in America and they are not capitalists.

Chicoms stole our patents and technology. They use slave labor. Produce trash products.

@HomeAloneSunday Chicoms hire lobbyists, buy our politicos and we outsource. Europeans protect their strategic industries.

@HomeAloneSunday Europe is collapsing because of socialism and the immigrant invasion. Just spent there two months.

@HomeAloneSunday Sounds like a paragraph from a manual for the young communists. Age 6 to 8.

@HomeAloneSunday No, thank you for the suggestion. Have a few great guys lined up for tonight. Otherwise a nice, intelligent comment.

@HomeAloneSunday I like sex. What is your problem with me? Jeleous?

@HomeAloneSunday Hahaha. Primitive talk!

@zesty They do steel just like the US goes and steels resources in other countries but much worse. By the was US too has slave labor, it's not like people are even paid a living wage.

@zesty Are you calling the Chinese chicoms? Why would you do that?

@Jolanta Chinese Communist trash

@zesty Just because you are educated doesn't mean that you have any compassion for your fellow men and women. What happen to you?

@zesty Then I you must be ok when people call you a racist, right wing bitch then.

@Jolanta All communists are human garbage. It has nothing to do with race, my dear!

@zesty not of your aptitude for spelling.

@zesty And how many communists do you actually know personally?

@Jolanta a few thousand, personally

@zesty Your are a twatt.

2

Ah I see you are perfectly fine with half the population suffering so that YOU can be comfortable. Nice. Also your understanding of the terms you use and the systems you're expounding on seem to be incomplete at best. Many others here have pointed out your inaccuracies. So I'm just going to add that you are ignorant AND profoundly selfish. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Are you living in a tent? Sell your place and donate the money to the poor people!

0

I did some research and here is the answer you have all anxiously been awaiting. Most of us, including me, were at least partially wrong.

Socialism has a very specific definition. It is an economic system where the workers and the community own the means of production. For example instead of a wealthy person owning the factory, deciding who gets hired and how much they get paid etc, the workers own the factory together and make the decisions themselves. We don't have that economic system. We have capitalism.
The government can provide services to the citizens in a capitalist democracy. Our government is of, by and for the people, so we can decide through our Representatives what services we want the government to provide and how we will pay for those services.

Some government services we all pay for besides Medicare are armed services / National Defense, police and fire departments, courts and prisons, public education, welfare programs, parks, roads, bridges and airports, etc. none of these programs / Services can properly be defined as socialism. They are public services and programs.

The means of production should be owned by the proletariat (Engels). The proletariat = uneducated, unskilled people. GREAT managers. The result is easy to see all over.

@HomeAloneSunday I like Trump's agenda. Not necessary his style.

@zesty This comment speaks volumes: "Not necessarily his style." These words show your acceptance of his style indeed.

@ElusiveMoby Sorry, I don't follow your reasoning. It is possible to present a good concept and have a bad style.

@zesty I grow weary of Trump supporters who accept his narcissistic personality disorder and heinous policies. You're wording indicates you're willing to tolerate his behavior.

@ElusiveMoby Maybe one must be narcissistic to become a president. Obama, Trump...

@zesty that is probably true, though I did not find Obama to be a narcissist.

@zesty what is it that you like exactly about his agenda? The destruction of our environment by his neutering of the EPA? His deregulation of factories that allow them to dump mercury into our streams and rivers? His adding 2 trillion dollars to the national debt to be placed in the pockets of the wealthiest in our country? His kowtowing to Putin, our greatest adversary and taking his word over that of our intelligence agencies? The insults he lays upon american military heroes? The disengagement from every one of our world allies? Leaving the nuclear non-proliferation agreement that we had with Russia? Leaving the agreement with Iran so now they may proceed unencumbered with their nuclear program? Leaving the Paris Accord, making us the world's only non-participating country in resolving the problem of climate change?

@zesty, @ToolGuy well the fact that you posted a video some place is not really going to be helpful. There is no economist that has the power to change the definition of socialism.

@mooredolezal Obama was perhaps the most narcissistic president

@zesty LMAO how can you even listen Trump speaking for more than 10 seconds and think that? There is nothing he says or does that is not tremendous or the greatest or historic. You're delusional. Either that or you do not listen to what he says. I challenge you to show me one instance of Obama being narcissistic in the eight years of his presidency or the campaign. I will be more than happy to provide you proof of my assertion.

@zesty honey I'm an attorney, I'm quite aware of the definition of proletariat and that ain't it. It originated in Roman times and means working class people. It has nothing to do with skill or education. As I'm sure you are aware many working class people are highly skilled at their jobs. Most working-class people also are educated. Knowing your feelings about communists and communism, I find it curious that you are quoting a world-renowned communist? I thought you thought they were trash? As a college professor I would think you would know that. At what college do you teach and what subject?

@mooredolezal I'm a full professor of computer science. Did you just call me delusional Mr. Big shot attorney?

@mooredolezal Don't call me honey and talk down to me. I don't do this to you, but will if you don't change your style! Honey...
Jesus Fucking Christ! Maybe your paralegals tolerate it.

@mooredolezal Your approach and style belongs to a socialist society! Enjoy your comrades!

@zesty no I said you were either delusional or do not listen to the words that come out of his mouth. I also said we are done.

@zesty I don't know what you're talking and neither do you. No certain style or approach belongs to a socialist society. BTW the term comrade has been associated with the Communists ever since the Russian Revolution, not the Socialists. I'm done giving you lessons in political science. Any further notification site receive from you will simply be deleted.

@mooredolezal Socialists are thugs. Honey.

@zesty I don't know any. I thought you didn't want any terms of endearment used between us?

1

Democratic socialism is a political philosophy that advocates political democracy alongside social ownership or regulation of the means of production with an emphasis on self-management and democratic management of economic institutions within a market or some form of decentralized planned socialist economy.

How can you plan a decentralized system? Nonsense!

@zesty I'm really beginning to think there's something seriously wrong with you. Read the first paragraph of the preview. I not only disbelieve that you are a college professor I don't even think you have any post high school education. Sorry I don't have time for this anymore. Good luck.

[jstor.org]

3

Capitalism has also turned this country into an oligarchy ruled by corporations and the rich. Corporations that exist only to profit and do not give a flying fuck about you or our environment. Corporations that actually write the legislation that is then forwarded to their bribed Congressional cronies. BTW nobody is for a socialist country, there is a big difference between Democratic socialism and socialism. Do some research. Are you against welfare, aid to dependent children, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment benefits, disability benefits, housing assistance, food stamps and the myriad of other benefits given to the poor in our society? So who is the idiot?

@irascible I'm glad I look to see who liked my comment before I addressed yours. I thought you were saying my comment was idiocy and I was about to jump all over your ass!

6

I look around as you said, and see great things created by our American way of life, including many which are social ideas, like Roosevelt's new deal, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. One must be an idiot or a criminal to be a radical absolutist and not recognize the many extensive positive contributions available through democratic socialism.

These are the ideas pulling us back.

@zesty totally disagree.

@Mofo1953 We are here to disagree. If all of us were to have the same opinion there wouldn't be any necessity to exchange ideas.

@zesty of course.

@zesty how so?

@ToolGuy Learning is always useful.

3

All I see is Poverty.... And capitalism has not been Gentle to your Frame... you look like 71!!!! WHAT DO YOU SEE?

Don't attack the messenger, debate the message, baby!

@zesty Ignored.

6

There are many successful nationalized (or socialized) Institutions and programs in the U.S... Like it or not we are already a hybrid of capitalism and socialism. For example, our Military, Law Enforcement, Justice, Firefighters, Federal Branches, Departments, agencies, and "Social" Security are non-compete, non-capitalist government institutions which are collectively funded out of our taxes. We have the same structure at the State and local level.

@Renickulous no one on this site is for socialism. We are for social democracy so I don't understand why you keep on talking about socialism?

@Renickulous You argue as if you have some expertise in this matter. Please explain your sources for information.

@Renickulous Those programs are funded by our tax base which includes multiple sources. Not all of those sources are rooted in capitalism. See the link for the sources.

[cbpp.org]

@Renickulous A social democracy is an ideology that promotes economic and social interventions to promote social justice within the framework of a liberal democratic polity and capitalist economy. A democracy is a governmental system where the citizens exercise power by voting. It can either be direct or representative.

@Renickulous one is an ideology the other is a governmental system. There are many kinds of justice, ie criminal justice is not the same as social justice, hence the modifier. Also, I disagree that social justice is a red flag for identity politics.

What sounds like socialism without a representative?

@Renickulous illegally demonstrating

@Renickulous The part that stated "Imagine DMV lines at the grocery store or public school quality medical insurance with higher premiums(obamacare)." Where did you get your source for this pearl of wisdom?

@Renickulous Really higher premium Obama care, just as if the health care insurance has gone down since Donald took charge. A lot of people in the US I know has said that it has not done so at all.

@Renickulous, @kensmile4u He pulled it out of where the sun doesn't shine.

Military and socialism? What do you mean?

@Renickulous You are citing yourself as a source? How do you know these things you speak about with authority? What are your qualifications to do that? Have you read the guidelines and core principles of this site? We operate on evidence based truth here. Where is your evidence of research into your comments? For example, look at the link I have attached. It clearly shows the US capitalist model of healthcare is a 'poor product' compared to other countries that have a more socialized structure.

[healthsystemtracker.org]

@zesty We have a nationalized Miltary verses a privatized Military. That means we pay collectively for our defense. If we had a privatized military then we would be able to choose among many competing companies which would offer personal (or civil) defense services. Subsequently, we would purchase directly from those companies. A good analogy would be the current marketplace we have for internet security. There are multiple companies we can choose from to secure and defend our identity and important data. Or we can choose to take the risk and not purchase at all. That is the pure definition of a free marketplace. Which defense option would make you feel safer? Which one would be cheaper? Which one is most convenient for us to procure and maintain? Which one provides you options including the option of not paying for it?

@Renickulous You keep making claims without evidence. Where did you read that the US has the most advanced Cancer treatment?

@Renickulous Google is a search engine. It is not a specific site containing data that could substantiate your claims to knowledge and/or truth. I find your debate abilities to be lacking in precision and academic credibility because you don't use citations. The US does NOT have the most advanced Cancer treatment because there are many types of Cancers and the US is not best in all of them. You can look it up in my prior citation.

@Renickulous The link on your comment took me to google. The link on this comment will take you to a section from my previous citation which specifically deals with Cancer outcomes in the US and similar countries. When you have completed reading this section you will hopefully understand that the US does not measure up to your superlative statement that "the US has the most advanced cancer treatment". Your single chart does not support your position either.

[healthsystemtracker.org]

@Renickulous It is impossible for you to conclude that "the US has the most advanced cancer treatment" from the excerpt that you just posted from a site that I showed you. You are repeatedly making my point for me. I think we're done here...

@Jolanta he took away the mandate and he is doing the best he can to defund the program so then he can assert that it was a failure. Of course has brain-dead supporters will believe every word he says.

@Jolanta, @Renickulous when you say justice I presumed you meant the legal system. Illegally protesting would be a violation yet it could be socially justifiable, a display of the seeking of social justice. You are the one who wanted me to specify the difference. If you don't understand it look it up yourself. I don't have time to do research for you.

@Jolanta, @Renickulous the premiums have raised because Trump successfully caused removal of the mandate and is doing everything he can to defund the program. Do a little research.

@Jolanta, @Renickulous so you do not believe Healthcare should be heavily regulated?

@Renickulous if you had not broken the law you would not have been fined. 54% of Americans favor the Affordable Care Act so I am afraid you are in the minority in your belief that it is a joke. As to social justice that is exactly what I meant that's why I said an illegal protest. I'm sorry but I have no further time to explain things to you. Do a little research and figure them out for yourself. BTW often times when you cannot explain something easily it is because your student does not have the mental capacity to understand what you are trying to explain. We are done for today.

10

I'm very happy with my socialist Medicare and Social Security. I think socialist unemployment insurance and food stamps are great economic aids for Americans in distress.

@Renickulous see above

@Renickulous What are you talking about. You really don't know.

@Renickulous You know that in the US 56 million have trouble paying medical bills, in Denmark 0. In the US 35 millions will be contacted by collections agencies for unpaid medical bills, Denmark 0. 26 million will use of all their saving to take out new credit to pay for medical bills, Denmark 0. And the last one in Cuba nobody but nobody no matter how poor will have to pay anything to get medical attention pre-existing problems or not and you are asking what the US have done worse than whoever.

@Renickulous I think the rest of the world doesn't think that the US is so great, not even Donald does that or he would not have to have those hats made in Mexico that he sells and wears to make America great again.

@Renickulous Exactly!

@Renickulous We seem to be distracted by definitions of political labels. I see the Republicans using labels to scare people. I'm confident the USA will never be a truly socialist country....but there are programs we need to protect people from the excesses of unrestrained Capitalism.

I read an article recently about Denmark. It seems like a wonderful country to live in. I might be interested in visiting if I spoke the language. @ToolGuy

@Renickulous [nationmaster.com]
Norway is much safer than the USA....

I think you believe a fantasy story that was never true. The USA has done its best with a mixed economy of Capitalism and socialism. @Renickulous

@Renickulous how about being born into poverty and not having the means or ability to get yourself out of your economic situation? If you think everyone has equal opportunity in this country then you are quite naive and I believe it to be a display of your lack of education and youth.

@Renickulous you want to know the flaws of capitalism? Look at the disparity between the rich and poor in this country.

@Renickulous and the danger with capitalism is giving more and more power to fewer and fewer people until you have an oligarchy, which will then be followed by a revolution in all likelihood.

@Renickulous I addressed this point with you yesterday at great length. I am not going to repeat myself. Further I am not going to be involved in lengthy discussions with you on a daily basis. If you have a question or point you wish to make, direct it elsewhere.

@Renickulous is there something the matter with you? Read up the thread and tell me you did not address the comment to me that I was responding to. Further you are the one missing the obvious, the obvious being I told you to direct your comments elsewhere. The next time that I see a notification from you I will simply delete it. If you persist further I will block you. I hope this is obvious enough for you to understand.

That is a very naïve view of the situation. Poor people do not get the same opportunities as the rich. @Renickulous

Rich people can afford a college education...If you are poor you probably can't afford college.@Renickulous

@Renickulous You have access to the best everything. The best schools, the best summer camps, the best teachers, the best equipment, the best sports teams, the best technology, the best clothes, the best opportunities, etc.

9

What the f... (fuck) are you talking about?

???

10

Socialism is just word with a broad meaning. Most countries are a mix of socialism and capitalism. People tend to just choose which term fits their argument at the moment.

8

Capitalism is great for promoting ingenuity and high standards but the inequality between the haves and the have-nots is far too wide. Social democracy has no issues with capitalism but tries to lessen the inequality between the two.

7

Ohferpetesake. Ever hear of the Scandinavian countries, where people have much more leisure time, much better family-work balance, including lots of bonding time with newborns? Oh, and much better health care, including no bankruptcies from terrible medical expenses? Oh, and good schools, good roads, safe/maintained infrastructure? WTH shills for billionaires like you just did?

Come Anne I know you are a lady but it is okay to use WTF. Nobody will think less of you and sometimes it just has to be said!

@mooredolezal LOL! I worked in a shipyard for 13 years, my "thing" was being more like the guys then they were.....

@AnneWimsey my mistake young lady.

@mooredolezal I knew I had successfully fit in when my General Foreman ( my boss's boss), a big playful fellow, stuffed me, nose-to-knees, into a trash can after I smart-mouthed him! A Great memory!

12

Your generalizations are incorrect.

"Capitalism and socialism are somewhat opposing schools of thought in economics. The central arguments in the socialism vs. capitalism debate are about economic equality and the role of government.

"Socialists believe economic inequality is bad for society, and the government is responsible for reducing it via programs that benefit the poor (e.g., free public education, free or subsidized healthcare, social security for the elderly, higher taxes on the rich).

"On the other hand, capitalists believe that the government does not use economic resources as efficiently as private enterprises do, and therefore society is better off with the free market determining economic winners and losers.

"The U.S. is widely considered the bastion of capitalism, and large parts of Scandinavia and Western Europe are considered socialist democracies. However, the truth is every developed country has some programs that are socialist."

"An extreme form of socialism is communism."

[diffen.com]

Oh great! I was gonna look it up later tonight... I was pretty sure I knew what it was... But I like to be certain... Thanks ??

8

The USA is not 100% capitalist... So it's incorrect to say everything around us results from it... Schools, the police, fire department, welfare, these are all examples of non capitalist entities...

@Cutiebeauty

Exactly.

Even roads. Just imagine what a mess it would be if all roads were somehow privately owned.

9

So, does this mean you won't be accepting Social Security?

@Renickulous oh.. maybe you don't actually know what socialism is.. hmm.

@Renickulous When Social Security was first proposed by Franklin Roosevelt, the Republican party called the idea "Socialism". The idea still sticks with the majority of party today. Feel free to look it up.

@Renickulous , so the Bush bailouts were socialism then. In fact, the wall is socialism.

@Renickulous, @hippydog he is right I looked it up.

@Renickulous, @hippydog, @chucklesIII I did and he is right. Google it.

@Renickulous you are right about social security being a retirement plan run by the government.

7

Points at canada.. nuff said..

@Renickulous the post said socialism

@Renickulous not even sure what your are saying..
A socialist country vs a country with socialism are very different.. both can be possible and can even be the same.. but i assume you know that..

@Renickulous yes.. thats what i was saying..
"policy or practice based on the political and economic theory of socialism."..
We have aspects of socialism and have had socialist parties that were even on power..
Socialist no. But democratic with socialist leanings and policies.. yes.

@Renickulous weird .. i guess my public school teachers in social studies were wrong..
But again.. and the last time.
You can have democratic socialism and not be a socialist country.

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