Socialism

Give your feelings about socialism and i will support/debate your opinion.

Capitalist: "No their not,
this is because the country will never become socialist. Our ancestors came to the U.S. many years ago, so they would be able to live a life with limited government regulation. This is what the U.S. is about, limited government regulation, and it will not change because of the left-wing extremists that want to get rid of what has made the U.S. the strongest and most powerful country in the world, capitalism."

Response: "It's worth noting that far from coming to America in search of limited regulation (what a weird line that would make on the statue of liberty -- give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning for limited government regulation!) immigrants were at the forefront of organizing for a regulated form of capitalism (not to mention ... See Moreengaging in a lot of organizing for socialism). They did this by helping to build the labor movement which fought off the harsh exploitation of un- and under-regulated capitalists. It's a legacy that continues right up until today."

 

Modern day socialism is not centered around extortion. If anything, crime is a form of capitalism.

 

I was going to ask the same thing! I believe we might have the same philosophy

No one should be forced to pay for a service they do not wish to receive.

I'm going to have to disagree capitalism is the free exchange of goods and services, where people are not forced to do business with each other. Further more, in a capitalist system no man should have power over another.

 

@vergil Then maybe, just maybe, we could all revert to bartering! Basically you're against the state and an anarchist? who would support the gvmt?

 

Farmer,

We barter everyday when making a purchase. Take sythe as an example if you where to look at the selling/buying forums you will see people trading accounts / game items for other forms of currency. Many take USD others prefer accounts, this is a system of bartering.

Why does anyone need to support the government? As Sythe stated anything service performed by the government is done by force *barrel of a gun* If people require the services that are currently provided by the government there are plenty of free market solutions.

 

I don't have the time nor the inclination to fully commit to this debate, but Finn is right.

The enormous power of the modern Chinese economy, partly due to quasi-slave labour, is hardly an example of socialism but of rampant capitalism in a previously artificially controlled economy.

 

Enormous power caused by the Chinese government keeping the Yuan low. Sure is rampant capitalism.

 

@Vergil A true free market would be anti-capitalist, anti-nationalist, and anti-feudalist. So you oppose all non-labor forms of income, which is why you oppose all forms of taxation since it is theft? And your opinion is that the central and local governments are just unjustified land owners? Sorry, just clarifying it and I will respond to this if I have understood it right.

@Finn Perhaps the greatest threat to freedom and democracy in the world today comes from the formation of the unholy alliances between government and business. This is not a new phenomenon. It used to be called FASCISM. The outward appearances of the democratic process are observed, but the powers of the state are diverted to the benefit of private interests. I never said America is a socialist country, but it sure is progressing to it, is it not?

@Finn You're location says that you hail from Copenhagen, Denmark. My knowledge is that your fatherland is socialist, but I have not really studied that. Also, I've seen that your previous location was Sweden, which I also believe is socialist? AND ALL OF EASTERN EUROPE.

@Finn, Angel, and Mortt
The Chinese government is formally known as Market Socialist or something like that. It does have a private sector, but the thing is that only about 1/3 of the GDP of that country comes from it. The state owns the majority of the economy and can influence market prices but they allow seperate entities to join in. Just becuase they are not communist does not mean they are not socialist.

@Sythe I'm sorry but I don't understand this question. Are you asking if I believe crime should be prevalent in a Socialist economy? What does this have to do with anything? Socialism is not a form of government...If thats what you're asking? But in some variants of communism money is used to fund stronger armies and that would eliminate rebellions. (Not that I support that.)

 

@Sythe No. They should not.

 

@Sythe What does capital punishment and extortion have to do with socialism? Taxes are paid in virtually every country around the world and I believe they are necessary.

 

@Sythe Socialism does not have to be like Mao or Stalin's version of communism.

 

@Sythe I've been busy for the past few days. No, slavery is alot more similar to capitalism then socialism. The altruists that you mention are most likely to be religious but not socialist. And I would also like to respond to your sticky which I have just read over. Have you ever read "The Communist Manifesto" by Karl Marx? You claim that libertarianism is built on non-aggression when the very ownership of private property primarily that of production and natural resources is maintained with the use and/or threat of violence. And on your post I really think that you get lost on the true definition of Marxism, Communism, and Socialism.

 

Not to interrupt this conversation but I think Socialism would be atrocious.


When I work for something and earn it, it is mine. It is not yours unless I freely wish to give it to you.


The way I see it is the government was put there to protect the people and to serve the people, not slap the people every chance it gets. What is mine is the governments and what is the governments is the governments is garbage.

If I work I reap the reward, not whoever the hell thinks they should get some.

The U.S. is turning into the nanny state (socialism), do nothing and by all means the government will save your ass. Which is complete garbage.

Redistribution of wealth is the worst idea ever. People who support this are trying to live out in a fantasy land of sunshine and loli-pops that doesn't exist. Life has winners and losers no matter what. Also competition only drives us to be better.

I realize some government assistance is needed upon this earth, but there has to come a point when it is time to draw the line.


I personally wouldn't last very long in a socialist environment because I wouldn't give up what was mine.