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"The subjects of every state ought to contribute towards the support of the government, as nearly as possible, in proportion to their respective abilities."
Happy new year everyone! I've got a question for you guys:
This year a lot of people treated liberalism and socialism as the same thing (same goes for conservatism = fascism). But there's bound to be a difference between typical "center left" politics and outright socialism. So what exactly is the difference between the two? Do you think liberalism is just a more moderate form of socialism? What are your thoughts?
Mackinac
Yes, that's right. It's just a matter of degree. Take each one step further and you have "Communist" and "Nazi" Same philosophy, but just ever increasing rigidity in the thinking, and ever less tolerance of any other viewpoint.
Yes, that's right. It's just a matter of degree. Take each one step further and you have "Communist" and "Nazi" Same philosophy, but just ever increasing rigidity in the thinking, and ever less tolerance of any other viewpoint.
There is nothing vaguely similar between fascism and communism as political and economic philosophies.
Of course throughout the 50's and 60's the most rapid anti-communist were left of center. One of the great ironies is that one of the foremost opponents of socialism and socialist was the American labor movement.
No, the "average" US taxpayer sees about 31% of income go to federal, state, and local taxes, but because ultra-high bracket taxpayers see most of their income taxed at the highest possible marginal rates, the "typical" US taxpayer sees a much smaller percentage of income going to taxes than that.
The average taxpayer falls into the 25% income tax bracket. Plus they pay an additional 7.65% in MediCare/MedicAid taxes on their first $80,000. Plus they pay an additional 7.5% in Social Security income taxes, and their employer pays another 7.5% on their behalf.
That alone adds up to 47.65% in just federal income taxes. Then there are the federal alcohol and gasoline consumption taxes and communication taxes. That is before we get into state and local taxes.
Overall, the average American is paying well over 50% of their total income in taxes of one form or another.
Quote:
Originally Posted by saganista
No, that isn't right either. Even if you resolve the fuzziness between Medicaid and S-CHIP funds simply by including all of S-CHIP in the total, the four insurance programs that you mention would account for a little over 40% of total USG expeditures.
That is exactly right according to the Fiscal Year 2009 Federal Budget, $1.767 TRILLION has been allocated to Social Security and MediCare/MedicAid. With a $3.1 trillion federal budget, that is 34% going to Social Security and 23% going to MediCare/MedicAid, for a total of 57% of the entire federal budget being spent on socialist programs.
One of the great ironies is that one of the foremost opponents of socialism and socialist was the American labor movement.
Another irony here is that the right-wing, greedy as they are, never understood the advantages to themselves of having a prosperous and thus anti-communist working class. Now the conservatives have pretty much destroyed the prosperity of the working class and are pushing it to the left.
Christ only knows what kind of Hell a radicalized American working class will raise if pushed hard enough as well armed as it is and equipped with 4 wheel drive vehicles and portable radios.
Christ only knows what kind of Hell a radicalized American working class will raise if pushed hard enough as well armed as it is and equipped with 4 wheel drive vehicles and portable radios.
Guns, four-wheelers, and radios. All of which the left-wing is itching to outlaw, confiscate or control.
The working class has nothing but contempt for the pinkies. There is zero evidence that it is moving leftward.
Guns, four-wheelers, and radios. All of which the left-wing is itching to outlaw, confiscate or control.
The working class has nothing but contempt for the pinkies. There is zero evidence that it is moving leftward.
I wouldn't say that it's the entire left looking to outlaw and confiscate... it's certain groups that are on the left... Liberalism.. would actually be in favor of guns. Also, the left is against the seaches and phone wire taps that have taken place under the bush administration.. calling it unconstitutional...
I myself am more liberal than conservative.. and while I don't personally like the idea of guns being everywhere.. I certainly would not support banning them... I do realize that many on the left would support a ban, but that is not because of liberalism...I would characterize such notions as socialist/communist in bringing about new social orders....
Guns, four-wheelers, and radios. All of which the left-wing is itching to outlaw, confiscate or control.
The working class has nothing but contempt for the pinkies. There is zero evidence that it is moving leftward.
I'm as working class and as you can get and pretty damned left-wing too and I'm not against guns and such. And I see lots of evidence that workers are moving left. Such as South Side ethnic people putting their racism away and voting for Obama.
It consoles you to think the left-wingers are wimps but the left-wingers I know are boilermakers, ironworkers, pipefitters, carpenters and such and are tough guys inured to hardship and hard work. AND well armed in the bargain.
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