You're quoted poster was correct, Willtom. We should never let Democrats deny that they are socialists. Often the socialists in congress deny that they worship the communist flag by changing the name of it. They call themselves 'progressives' or 'liberal'. In the end it is all the same animal; jealousy.
Not only can we lean on the experiences that socialism/communism has given us in the previous century, but we were also blessed with being able to watch how well capitalism worked over the same period. So, we stand at the highest point humanity has ever achieved, with a higher standard of living then ever before, more choices, opportunities, and ability than any generation before us, and we say, "lets get rid of this horrible system that created all this wealth and stability."
Your total ignorance of history and economics is flabbergasting.
The only reason the US did not have a communist revolution back in the heyday of the robber barons was the legalization of trade unions.
THis concession to socialism not only preserved captialism, but was the engine for US growth for the next 80 years, as rising union wages INVENTED the modern middle class and the "American Dream" of home ownership.
The higher incomes also drove consumer spending, which, it turned out, made business vastly MORE money than the old Company store and slave wages model the unions destroyed.
From the 5 day, 40 hour workweek, to paid vacation, to workplace safety, to unemployment insurance... the UNIONS brought the political pressure to force legislation that made being middle class in America a life for the rest of the world to envy.
Add to that the fact that only after the crash of 29 did the US government impose strict regulation on businesses and the financial sector... and that these tight regulations ALIONE were repsonsible for the most stable period of growth in the US economy- 70 years without the boom and bust charlatanism that prevailed when we had a purely capitalist economy.
Social programs, like Social security, like water and sewer, like the interstate highway system, like the Tennessee Valley authority, like government funded research, like unemployment insurance, like the FDIC...
these 'socialist' programs have contributed more to the Productivity of the US and GNP than ALL corporate investments combined.
The greatest generation had HOMES because of the G.I. Bill, and healthcare because of the VA.
And, seriously... track the past 30 years and the implementation of republican policies of free markets and de-regulation...
Take a hard look at wages since the right began union busting in earnest, and taking the watchful eye of regulation off of business...
Wages have stagnated, debt has soared, the infrastrucure that makes this country run is crumpling, and charlatans and con men have bilked the american people out of trillions of dollars...
EVERY DECADE you can cite as being "better" in terms of real growth in wealth in the middle class, greater growth nationwide in GNP, is a decade in which this nation was far MORE socialized than it is today.
Capitalism is great... within strictly set boundaries.
Socialism is great... also within strictly set boundaries...
But, pal. GOVENRMENT
IS SOCIALISM- period.
Its the one actor in the drama that is supposed to act in the interests of the whole.
Oh, and by the way... INSURANCE of ANY kind...as an idea, is nothing other than the fundamental concept of socialism.
Spreading risk, and spreading benefit, to make for a more survivable and more compassionate social structure.
only an IMBECILE speaks in terms of capitalism= good / socialism = bad.
And vice versa.
The ideal civilization must balance the power of self interest as a motivator, against the danger of self interest as the genesis of criminality.
It must act to counter-balance the unequal distribution of wealth and advantage to prevent the masses from revolution, and the concentration of power in too few hands.
And it must provide for the common good so that even the poorest can be productive contributors to the body politic.
The idiots fighting single payer healthcare are too stupid to realize that, as health cost rise, they are pulling money form OTHER commercial industries... and that as few people are covered, the overall productivity of US workers declines, which will result in shrinking markets, which will cause capitalism to FAIL.
Your government handled defense, and drinking water, because we ALL need them alike... and we need them to cost as little as possible, so we can spend our money on innovation and growing new markets.
The stupid thing is that national healthcare SAVED European capitalism, by giving more money to the consumer to spend on what they want, rather than on just staying alive and productive.
And the sad thing is that conservatives are too ignorant and uneducated to comprehend the destructive numbnuttery of their positions.
We very nearly went under, as a nation. And that was entirely due to the staggering stupidity of believing in invisible hands and absolutist economics.
Trying formulating a slightly more sophisticated worldview that is less based upon hysteria over an idea, and more grounded in actual assessment of real programs and their real effects over time.
You could not LIVE in this country without the socialized systems your government handles so well that you are totally unaware of them.
And you have to be a fool to think that a corporation could deliver you better water for less, or get your mail to your house for less.
The difference between government and private sector is the private sector's MARKUP.
And that ALWAYS costs you more.