To put it simply, socialism is an economic system in which the means of
production is publicly owned and democratically controlled. I have a lot
of opinions about how it can and should be implemented, but putting
those opinions aside this makes no value judgements about how good or
bad it is. It does illustrate, though, that the day to day functions of
a capitalist government are by no means socialist.
On 2/7/2016 1:13 PM, R. E. Driscoll Sr wrote:
Roger:
May I modify your definition to add: "Socialism is not a bed thing - nor is it a good thing - it is some of both - maybe more of something - maybe less of some things - it benefits each and every one of us (good and bad) in one way or another."
I am very serious in offering the above modification.
R. E. (Dick) Driscoll, Sr.
On 2/6/2016 6:57 PM, Roger Loran Bailey (Redacted sender rogerbailey81 for DMARC) wrote:
Using the word socialism to describe every thing that a capitalist government does is an example of throwing around a word without having the slightest idea what it means.
On 2/6/2016 11:30 AM, Carl Jarvis wrote:
Socialism is not a bad thing. It benefits each and every one of us in
one way or another.
Below the fold is 75 ways socialism has improved, shaped, and built America.
Socialism.
There is nothing more feared and hated in America.
The word alone sends shivers down the spine of the American people.
Those three syllables conger up images of Big Brother Government
ruling over us all, telling us what to eat, wear, buy, and think. Our
children in national
uniform being indoctrinated with propaganda in government education
camps that use to be schools, turning them into little slaves. While
their parents
work twelve hour shifts in the concentration camp that slaughters rich
successful billionaires, as the poor and needy get a million dollars a
month in
welfare. A murderous government waging a war against freedom and
liberty to gain complete control over everyone and everything.
You know, the way things were under that socialist Bill Clinton. And
the way things are now under that socialist Barack Obama.
They imagine the USSR and how Democrats are turning America into it
because our government will give money to poor people so they don't
starve to death.
(Giving money to billion dollar corporations is NOT socialism somehow.
You would be a communist and a hippie to think otherwise.)
This is scary stuff!
And it's about to get scarier, because I have some terrifying news for you....
Socialism is alive and well in America and it has been here for a very
long time!
Oh, that's not all. it gets much worse! I hope your sitting down...
As it turns out, You love socialism and you use it everyday, and you
may not even know it! It may have even saved your life. I know, this
is bad...
Now relax and breath. It's going to be okay! We are going to get through this.
You see, we are still a capitalist nation. In America, you can still
make a billion dollars, get a giant tax cut, and pay your employees
barely enough
to survive while you sail in your yacht to escape any guilt that might
inconvenience you. So don't freak out just yet!
The thing is, socialism is all over America and people actually like
it. Even you... Yes you!
I know, I know. You're a conservative that believes in freedom and the
constitution. You hate handouts and believe in hard work and the
individual. You
think government should get out of the way and let you live your lives
and allow you to prosper on your own. You know that all rich people
must have worked
hard and all poor people are lazy. There is no other reason why they
could be poor considering life is completely fair and all people are
born into situations
and environments that allow them to have all the opportunities and
blessings that you had. There is no fathomable way they could have 2
or 3 jobs they
work very hard at but still can't make ends meet. You got it all figured out.
But still, even you get your kicks from a little socialism every now and then.
Don't think of this as an intervention, think of it as a coming out of
the closet party. We know you are a closet socialist. It's okay, you
are amongst
friends and we support you. Besides, we always knew...
Socialism is taxpayer funds being used collectively to benefit society
as a whole, despite income, contribution, or ability.
Sounds horrible, huh?
Well I hate to be the one to tell you, but Socialism, which you have
been told to fear all your life, is responsible for all this...
1.
The Military/Defense
- The United States military is the largest and most funded socialist
program in the world. It operates thanks to our taxpayer dollars and
protects the
country as a whole. From the richest citizens to the homeless who
sleep under the bridge. We are all protected by our military whether
we pay taxes or
not. This is complete socialism.
2.
Highways/Roads
- Those roads and highways you drive on every single day are
completely taxpayer funded. Your tax dollars are used to maintain,
expand, and preserve our
highways and roads for every one's use. President Eisenhower was
inspired by Germany's autobahn and implemented the idea right here in
America. That's
right, a republican president created our taxpayer funded, national
highway system. This was a different time, before the republican party
came down with
a vicious case of rabies that never went away.
3.
Public Libraries
- Yes. That place where you go to check out books from conservative
authors telling you how horrible socialism is, is in fact socialism.
Libraries are
taxpayer funded. You pay a few bucks to get a library card and you can
read books for free for the rest of your life.
4.
Police
- Ever had a situation where you had to call the police? Then you
have used a taxpayer funded socialist program. Anyone can call the
police whether they
pay taxes or not. They are there to protect and serve the community,
not individuals. This is complete socialism on a state level, but
still socialism
all the same. Would you rather have to swipe your credit card before
the police will help you?
5.
Fire Dept.
- Hopefully you have never had a fire in your home. But if you have,
you probably called your local taxpayer-funded fire department to put
the fire out.
Like police, this is state socialism. You tax dollars are used to
rescue your entire community in case of a fire. It use to be set up
where you would pay
a fee every month to the fire dept. for their service. If you didn't
pay, they let your house burn down. Sadly, a man from Tennessee had
this exact situation
happen to him in 2011 because he didn't pay his $75.00 fee. I guess
that small town in Tennessee would rather let people's houses burn
down that resort
to evil socialism. So don't take for granted the fact that you have a
24/7 fire dept. to put out your burning home thanks to socialism.
6.
Postal Service
- Like having mail delivered directly to your front door and paying
next to nothing to send mail anywhere you want? Well it's all made
possible by socialism.
7.
Student Loans and Grants
- Did you go to College? If you did, you family might not have been
rich enough to pay your way through. So you got your education anyway
through student
loans and grants from the federal government at taxpayer expense. Of
course you have to pay back the loans, but if not the government, did
you know anyone
else who was going to lend you tens of thousands of dollars? Probably
not. So the taxpayers lent you the money and you paid it back with
slight interest.
The government grants you accepted were gifts from the taxpayer and
the federal government that you did not have to pay back. Socialism
got you through
school.
8.
Bridges
- Along with our highways, our government used your taxpayer dollars
to build bridges. This allows the public to travel across rivers
without having to
sail or swim.
9.
Garbage Collection
- Like having your garbage collected once a week instead of having to
drive it to the landfill yourself? Thank socialism.
10.
Public Landfills
- Taxpayer dollars are used to have places to dump all of our garbage
that is collected by taxpayer funded garbage men.
11.
War
- That's right! War would not be possible without socialism. Your tax
dollars are used to fight wars for your country. This is Big
Government at it's
biggest. Private companies don't attack other countries, at least not
yet. Government is the only entity in America that can defend us from
foreign enemies
and our tax dollars are used for every second of it. Socialism has
brought down Adolf Hitler, Saddam Hussein, and Bin Laden. War may very
well be the most
socialist thing on this list.
12.
Farm Subsidies
- Our government uses taxpayer funds to pay farmers and businesses to
provide their income and keep them growing food for the public.
13.
CIA
- The Central Intelligence Agency is vital to America's security. The
CIA is completely taxpayer funded to protect the public from enemies.
14.
FBI
- The Federal bureau of investigations is a taxpayer funded government agency.
15.
Congressional Health Care
- As Republicans in congress warn us of the evils of government-run
health care, most of them are covered by taxpayer-funded
government-run health care.
You literally pay for their health care while they tell you that
paying for your neighbors health care through a public option or
single-payer system is
socialism. They are 100% correct, it is socialism. They're just not
telling you that they like their socialist health care, they just
don't think you should
have it. They are afraid you might like it better than the private
insurance you have now that funds their campaigns and gives them money
to push what
is best for them and not for you. Members of congress are free to opt
out of their evil government health care, but most of them don't
because deep down,
they like socialism too.
16.
Polio Vaccine
- In the 1950's polio ravaged the United States. Until Dr. Jonas Salk
invented a cure, finally ridding America of this terrible disease. Dr.
Salk could
have sold his vaccine in the free market and made millions and
millions of dollars. Instead he gave it to the federal government to
begin eradicating polio.
He said that he made plenty of money as a scientist and felt it was
too important to try and profit from or create a business around.
17.
EPA
- Republicans hate this taxpayer-funded government program because
they have the nerve to tell corporations that they may have to follow
environmental
rules ad regulations for the greater good of the earth and the people
who live on it. But if you don't like breathing mercury, drinking
dirty water, and
breathing in chemicals, you should like this example of socialism
working for the people.
18.
Social Security
- You pay a tax to help ensure that our grandparents and senior
citizens of America have money to live off of when they are retired or
too elderly to
work. I love hearing rich people bitch about this one because the
truth is that they do not pay a social security tax, like most payroll
taxes. This little
piece of socialism helps prevent our senior citizens from sinking into
poverty and starving to death.
19.
Museums
- Many museums are privately owned by organizations and groups, but
many are also taxpayer-funded state, national, and federal museums.
20.
Public Schools
- Can't afford to send your children to an expensive private school?
Thanks to socialism and government, you child can still get an
education. Public
education has been under attack for decades in this country by the
radical right because public schools don't teach Christianity to your
children and it
enables people like Barack Obama to work hard, gain scholarships, and
eventually become President of the United States.
21.
Jail/Prison System
- Many murders and criminals are behind bars right now and not out on
the streets because of our taxpayer-funded, federal and state run
jails and prisons.
Taxpayer money is collected and used to help protect all of society
from murders, molesters, rapist, etc. I know there's a lot of
disagreement and controversy
about how to handle our prison system, but I think we can all agree
that serial killers should not be freed into society. There are also
many private prisons
in the United States. However, they have a higher escape rate than
their socialist counterpart. Besides, don't you see the bad incentives
in having a private
prison system that profits from having people in prison? Since a
business's top goal is to make more money than the year before, the
only feasible agenda
would be to get everyone in prison.
22.
Corporate/Business Subsidies
- This is the type of socialism that is acceptable in the Republican
party. You tax dollars are given to big corporations to do things they
should be
doing anyway out of morals and ethics. Like not sending jobs overseas
and hiring people. Wouldn't you like a nice big check just for not
breaking the law?
To be fair though, many businesses do earn their subsidies by
advancing green technology and practice, donating to charity, helping
communities, etc. They
aren't all bad. People just get mad when big billionaire oil companies
get billions of their taxpayer dollars while they're paying $4 at the
pump. For
the corporations that don't earn their subsidies other than donating
to their very own political party, it's merely welfare. Though however
you look at
it, it is socialism.
23.
Veteran's (VA) Health Care
- Our soldiers bravely go to foreign countries and risk their lives
at the request of their government and the American people. For those
who survive,
we as a country feel committed and obligated to ensure that they have
everything they need for the rest of their lives for their service to
us in which
we could never fully repay. So we the taxpayers fund their health care
in a government-run single-payer system for veterans. Many soldiers
return with
mental and/or physical health issues that would cost them thousands in
a private health care plan. Socialism funds the military, the overall
war, and also
takes care of our troops when they return home.
24.
Public Parks
- Like going to the park on a sunny day? Just being able to walk
right in, or at the worse pay a small fee? This is once again the work
of socialism.
If it were private, it wouldn't be a park, it would be someones back
yard. That small or non-existent fee will turn into a $15 fee faster
than you can
say "No Trespassing".
25.
All Elected Government Officials
- From the Supreme Court, to the President of the United States and
all the way down to the County Dog Catcher, taxpayers pay their salary
and provide
the funding for them to do their job. We pay for every aspect of their
job. So in a sense, I guess you could say our whole country is run on
socialism.
26.
Food Stamps
- Republicans fill with bitter contempt knowing that our government
at the expense of the taxpayer is giving poor people money to buy food
they couldn't
otherwise afford. This, like welfare, is what the right thinks
socialism is all about, along with mass murder. However, just like
corporate welfare, welfare
is socialism. I'll just end this one with a quick story. I have been
down and out in periods of my life and sought assistance via food
stamps. Even though
I was what anyone would consider poor, I was not poor enough to get
food stamps. Which means people who do get them, must really, really
need them. As
far as my personal experience, they weren't thrown around like candy
the way the right would have you believe.
27.
Sewer System
- Do you like having a sewer system to remove waste and prevent
pollution and disease from seeping into our environment? Thank the
taxpayers of America
and the socialist system it operates in.
28.
Medicare
- Medicare is one of the most liked socialist programs in America.
Most of us don't mind paying taxes to provide our senior citizens with
health care
and hope the next generation will do the same for us. If you don't
believe me, just look at almost any poll. Most seniors would not be
able to afford private
health care. So this form of socialism is a life saver for this
nation's grandparents and senior citizens.
29.
Court System
- Whether it's the murder trial of the century or a case in a small
claims court, the taxpayers of America fully fund our courts and legal
process. You
may pay for your own lawyer, but the courtroom, judge, and jury is
paid for through socialist means.
30.
Bird Flu Vaccine
- You don't have bird flu right now and probably aren't worried about
it because our federal government used taxpayer funds to pump vaccines
all over
America.
31.
G.I. Bill
- The G.I. bill allows veterans to pursue an education by using
taxpayer dollars to help them pay for most of their schooling. It also
helps them with
loans, savings, and unemployment benefits.
32.
Hoover Dam
- Remember when our country use to build things? Our government built
the Hoover Dam using taxpayer funds. It is now a vital source of power
for the west
coast.
33.
State/City Zoos
- American families have been going to the zoo for generations. A
place where kids and adults can have fun seeing creatures and animals
from all over
the world and learn at the same time. Many zoos are ran by the state
and/or city, using taxpayer funds to operate and even bring the
animals to the zoo.
34.
IRS
- I know, the IRS is about as popular and well liked in America as a
hemorrhoid, but think about it. The IRS is the reason that we have
anything. The
IRS collects taxpayer funds for the federal government. The government
then dispenses these funds to our military, states, and social
programs. If there
is no one collecting taxes, no one will pay them. If no one pays
taxes, our country shuts down. Without money to operate, nothing
operates. This may sound
like a good thing to some radical republicans, but for those of us
with sense, we know this means anarchy in the USA. The IRS gets a bad
rap because if
you don't pay your taxes or owe them money, they can be ruthless. Like
everything else, the IRS is not perfect, but without them we literally
have no country
or no means to run it.
35.
Free Lunch Program
- Some children are living in poverty by no fault of their own. I'm
not saying it is even their parents fault, but you surely cannot blame
a child for
the situation they are born into. In most if not all states, there are
programs where children who live in poor households can receive school
lunch for
free. The taxpayers of the state pay for this. Sounds like socialism
to me, and also the moral and Christian thing to do.
36.
The Pentagon
- Our defense system in America is a socialist system from top to
bottom. We as taxpayers fund the pentagon completely.
37.
Medicaid
- Our government uses taxpayer funds to provide health care for
low-income people. Republicans, the compassionate Christians that they
are, absolutely
hate this program. What they fail to understand is that when people
can't afford to pay their outrageous medical bills, they don't. This
bill does not
disappear. The loss that the insurance company, doctor's office, or
hospital takes gets passed down to everyone else. So covering people
and giving them
a low-income option reduces costs for them and everyone else. This is
the main argument behind a health care mandate. It's not to force you
to buy health
care out of cruelty. If everyone is covered, costs drop for everyone.
If you have no compassion for the uninsured, you can at least
understand the rational
in a selfish sense.
38.
FDA
- The Food and Drug Administration is far from perfect. It is
infested with corporate corruption and they have been wrong many, many
times. Countless
times they have approved things that they later have to apologize for
and have banned things that would have helped people. However, they
have also stopped
many harmful foods and products from being sold to the public and
protect us everyday from poisons being disguised as products. While
not perfect, they
are needed to prevent harmful food and drugs from being sold to you
and you family. Without them, corporations can send whatever they want
to your supermarkets
and drug stores without any testing or evaluation. I don't mind my
taxes going towards a middle man to inspect the safety of the products
we are being
sold everyday.
39.
Health Care for 9/11 Rescue Workers
- After beating back GOP obstruction, Democrats finally passed a bill
last year to allow government to help 9/11 rescue worker's with their
health care
after many came down with horrible lung diseases from the toxins they
breathed in rescuing people from smoldering buildings. These brave
citizens risked
their lives and health to help complete strangers. They deserve more,
but covering their health care is a good start.
40.
Swine Flu Vaccine
- Do you have swine flu right now? Then thank government and the
socialist structure.
41.
Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- For those who are disabled and cannot work, our government provides
an income for them via taxpayer dollars as opposed to the other option
of letting
them starve to death.
42.
Town/State Run Beaches
- Like going to the beach? Like it when the beach is clean and safe?
Like having lifeguards on staff in case of an emergency? Then once
again, thank the
taxpayers and the socialist structure that makes it all possible.
43.
Corporate Bailouts/Welfare
- The whole point of this post is to prove that we ALL use, benefit
from, and like socialism. This example is a form of socialism that the
republicans
not only like, but fight tooth and nail for. They don't like it when
socialism is used for working/poor people, but when it's for
millionaires and their
corporate donors, socialism becomes as American as apple pie. The
middle/working class who are the majority of taxpayers pay for welfare
for corporations
and people who have more money than all of us combined. When our
government bails out a bank or gives a subsidy to a billion dollar
corporation, you are
paying for it.
44.
State Construction
- Ever see those construction workers in your town fixing potholes,
erecting buildings, repaving highways and roads, and fixing things all
over town?
They themselves and the work they do is taxpayer-funded state socialism.
45.
Unemployment Insurance
- All your working life, you pay payroll taxes. Some of these taxes
go toward a program that temporarily provides for people who lost
their jobs until
they can find another one. You pay for others, others pay for you.
Especially these days, you never know when you might lose your job.
You may need temporary
assistance until you get back on your feet. The government recognizes
this. UI also keeps the economy moving in times of recession because
people still
have some money in their pockets to buy goods and promote demand.
46.
City/Metro Buses
- If you lack transportation, you can catch a city bus. Taxpayer
funds and the fee you pay to take the bus make it possible for
millions of people to
go to work.
47.
WIC
- WIC is a federally funded program to assist women, infants, and
children. WIC helps low-income families by providing funding for
nutrition, education,
and health care for children.
48.
State Snow Removal
- Even though sometimes it may take them longer than you like to get
to your street, do you like having snow plow service to clear our
roads and highways
in the winter? This is a state socialist taxpayer-funded service.
49.
PBS (Public Broadcasting Service)
- PBS operates on donations and government funding. The provide
non-partisan news and information to the public. They are the home of
Sesame Street, Masterpiece
Theater, and The Antiques Roadshow. Surveys show that they are
literally the most trusted name in news. I wonder how Fox feels about
that?
50.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- The CDC helps promote and enact the health and safety of the public
along with helping to prevent and control illness and disease. The CDC
is a government
program that operates on taxpayer funding.
51.
Welfare
- Is there anything the republicans hate more? Of course I'm talking
about the welfare that goes to poor people. Corporate welfare is not
only accepted
in the republican Kabul, but it's mandatory that we give our tax
dollars to billionaires and not question the logic of it. Though if
you look at it realistically
and not through the red scare glasses in which the right sees the
world, welfare helps the economy. As I've said many times, when poor
people have money
in their pocket, they buy things made and sold by companies. This
creates a demand. To keep up with demand, businesses must hire to keep
up. If you yanked
everyone who is on welfare off of it tomorrow, the economy would take
a blow and lose jobs due to the down tick in consumer demand because
we just took
what little money they had away.
52.
Public Street Lighting
- Like being able to see at night when you walk or drive? Thank Socialism.
53.
FEMA
- If Disaster strikes, FEMA is there to help pick up the pieces. As a
part of homeland security and an agency of the federal government,
they use taxpayer
dollars to help cities, states, and towns recover and rebuild. I don't
know to many private companies that could assist in disaster relief
and ask nothing
in return. Thank God for socialism.
54.
Public Defenders
- Ever been in trouble and couldn't afford a lawyer? Well the
taxpayers and the government make sure you still get representation.
55.
S-CHIP
(State Children's Health Insurance Program) - S-CHIP is a program
that matches funds to states for health insurance for children in
families that cannot
afford insurance but make too much to qualify for Medicaid. Your tax
dollars go towards covering uninsured children, is that so wrong?
56.
Amtrak
- Amtrak transports tens of millions of passengers a year in 46
states and three Canadian Providences. It is owned by the federal
government and your
tax dollars are used to fund it. All aboard!!
57.
NPR
- National Public Radio operates on private and federal funding along
with public donations. NPR has been one of the most trusted news
sources in America
for over 40 years.
58.
The Department of Homeland Security
- Created after the terrorist attacks on 9/11, this heavily federally
funded department of the U.S. government helps protect us from future
terrorist
attacks. This is the third largest department within the United States
government.
59.
OSHA
- Do you have a safe and healthy workplace that provides training,
outreach, education, and assistance? Thank OSHA! Brought to you by the
taxpayers of
America and socialism.
60.
State and National Monuments
- The Lincoln Memorial. Mount Rushmore. The D.C. National Mall. All
brought to you and maintained with your tax dollars. Socialism is
patriotic?
61.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- The USDA enforces regulations on the farming, agriculture, and food
industries to ensure food safety, natural resources, and hunger
worldwide and in
the United States. Your tax dollars are used to help keep what you are
eating safe and even feed those who are not eating.
62.
Government Scholarships
- if you work hard in school and show true potential, our government
will give you a scholarship towards college so you can advance your
education. Your
tax dollars have been used to send future doctors, lawyers,
scientists, and even presidents of the United States to college.
63.
Department of Health and Human Service
- The overall goal of HHS is to promote, implement, and ensure the
health of the American people. Your tax dollars are used to do this.
Government looking
out for the well being of it's people, imagine that!
64.
Census Bureau
- Every ten years, our government collects data about our people and
economy, to better serve and represent us. From the forms that are
sent to your
home for you to fill out and send back in and to the census worker who
shows up and kindly asks you to fill out the form if you don't send it
in, all taxpayer
funded socialism. The information collected is used to better
understand the economic situation and population in your area. Not to
enslave you in a FEMA
camp.
65.
Department of Energy
- This taxpayer funded cabinet of the federal government oversees
nuclear weapons, nuclear reactors, energy conservation, radioactive
waste disposal,
and energy production. To those of you who care about our environment
and would rather not witness a nuclear holocaust might consider this
money well spent.
66.
Customs and Border Protection
- the CBP is the largest law enforcement agency in America. This is
big government that republicans actually do like because they don't
like Mexicans
immigrating to our country like our ancestors did. However, this
taxpayer funded, socialist agency of the federal government regulates
trade, imports,
and immigration.
67.
Department of Education
- This cabinet of the federal government is actually the smallest.
They administer and oversee federal assistance to education. They also
collect data
and enforce federal laws and regulations involving education. Even
though the right thinks that this department is indoctrinating your
children, they actually
have no control over curriculum or standards.
68.
Secret Service
- Your tax dollars are used to provide highly-trained, skilled
professional bodyguards to protect the President of the United States.
69.
Peace Corps
- The Peace Corps is a volunteer program run by the government that
helps people outside of the US to understand our culture as well as
helping us learn
about other cultures. However they are more well known for their work
with economic and social development in less-fortunate countries.
Sounds very Christian
for being a socialist program, huh?
70.
Department of Justice
- The DOJ is responsible for enforcing the law. Socialism keeps our
civilization intact.
71.
National Weather Service
- Like knowing when a storm, tornado, earthquake, or snow is coming?
Socialism makes this possible and available to everyone.
72.
The White House
- Our taxpayer dollars through a socialist means pays for the house
that the president and his family live in during a presidents time in
office.
73.
Government
- Like it or not, our country would not be a country without a
government. Every single day, government on state and local levels
serve us in ways we
simply take for granted. Government as an entity operates and
functions on our tax dollars through a socialist structured funding
system. From the military
down to the county dog catcher, socialism turns the wheels that make
our society function.
74.
Law
- Laws and rules make our democracy possible. Remove these laws and
you have sheer anarchy. Laws do not appear out of thin air. To have
law, you need
a government. You need elected lawmakers to make the laws and a
government to implement and enforce them. Socialism is responsible for
every law in this
country. Without our government and lawmakers which exist thanks to
socialism, there would be no laws. So the laws themselves, are
enforced and implemented
thanks to socialism.
75.
Civilization
- As an American citizen, you enjoy freedoms that many in other
countries do not. Like anything else in this world, our government is
not perfect, but
you should be thankful everyday that your country has a government
that feels an obligation to serve the people and protect their rights
and freedoms.
This is completely possible because of government, taxes, and
socialism. Do you think the private sector would do a better job of
governing our country?
Do you think corporations would enact laws to help protect and serve
you and your family or them and their profits? The reason you can read
this blog and
the reason I can write it whether you agree with it or not is because
of the freedoms we have here in America enforced and protected through
socialist
means. Our entire civilization depends on us being a people united.
Socialism is a glue that binds us together and makes possible the
things that we could
not accomplish as individuals working against each other.
I don't care who you are.
Rich or poor. Teaparty Republican or Liberal Socialist.
You benefit from at least one or more of these 75 American
Government-Run, Taxpayer funded Socialist programs, agencies, and
laws.
My overall argument is not for a completely socialist nation. This
would not work. A completely capitalist nation would not work either.
I'm just simply saying that I, as a Democratic Socialist, feel that
the two can co-exist. I know this because they always have. Socialism
and capitalism
have always co-existed in America.
I also believe in freedom. I believe options are a form of freedom.
Right now in the United States of America, I can send mail through the
public postal service or I can choose a private option like FedEx. I
can send my
kids to public school or private school.
As liberals, we don't want a government takeover, we want options. We
think we should have the freedom to be able to choose to have
government health care
if we don't like our private plan.
If we are 18-64, we have no options or freedom over our own health
care. I don't understand why this isn't viewed as a corporate takeover
of health care.
Socialism is not a bad thing. It is a foundation in this country of
ours. Claiming socialism is bad because of radical and non-factual
comparisons to Hitler
and Stalin is like saying all guns are bad because of the Columbine
killers and Jared Loughner.
National socialism and communism are very, very different from
Democratic Socialism here in America. I'd explain further but this
topic is for another
post, this one is long enough. Besides, socialism defeated Hitler.
So let's just stop the madness and have a serious discussion about
socialism and the role it plays in America.
block quote
"Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien
power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a
president and senators
and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country" - FDR
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