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Mr. J - Do you have any idea how long winter lasts in those places? There are other factors besides political/economics operating to influence the suicide rates.
I was responding to a post where someone was trying to point out that the top ten happiest nations, according to Forbe's survey, were European nations with socialist leanings.
The WHO's list of suicides by nation completely busts that myth. Why suicide rates are high in those nations is irrelevant to the topic. The rate, some of which are double the U.S.'s, proves that the people in these countries are not that happy.
No these numbers only "prove" that some people are unhappy enough to suicide. The rest have it made.
When you dismiss all of the WHO's other stats showing the US lagging those European nations in quality of life, then I will dismiss mine showing that the people in those nations off themselves at an alarmingly higher rate than the US.
Deal?
Funny, that all of the socialism supporters here convienently ignore posts which provide facts contrary to their beliefs. I shouldn't have expected any less.
Anybody want to debate Purchase Power Parity between socialist nations and Capitalist? Or are we going to convienently forget that fact as we argue our ill-founded points?
To answer the question, "What's wrong with Socialism", you need some background.
COMMUNISM - the ownership of property, or means of production, distribution and supply, by the whole of a classless society, with wealth shared on the principle of 'to each according to his need', each yielding fully 'according to his ability'.
- - - Webster's Dictionary.
SOCIALISM - A political and economic theory advocating collective ownership of the means of production and control of distribution. It is based upon the belief that all, while contributing to the good of the community, are equally entitled to the care and protection which the community can provide.
--- Webster's dictionary
Socialism and its cousin, communism, are diametrically opposed to absolute ownership by individuals (aka Private property). They will only tolerate qualified ownership, shared with the State, and you know who has the superior claim...
In case you weren't aware, they told us exactly what they planned.
From the Communist manifesto:
"In this sense, the theory of the Communists may be summed up in the single sentence: Abolition of private property."
Most Americans would be surprised to learn that private property rights were abolished by voluntary enrollment into national socialism (aka Socialist InSecurity).
PRIVATE PROPERTY - "As protected from being taken for public uses, is such property as belongs absolutely to an individual, and of which he has the exclusive right of disposition. Property of a specific, fixed and tangible nature, capable of being in possession and transmitted to another, such as houses, lands, and chattels."
- - - Black's Law dictionary, sixth ed., p.1217
Amendment V, US Constitution 1789
... nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
GOOD! The USCON explicitly promises to honor our private property rights, that collectivists seek to abolish.
BAD! Since 1935, most Americans surrendered their private property rights via voluntary participation in national socialism (via Socialist InSecurity Act of 1935).
Now you know why you no longer "own" yourself, the fruits of your labor, the house you live in, or even your children. The Collective has a superior claim and will take it all back if you disobey.
Welcome to the United Socialist States of America...
Wipe your feet, and don't rattle your chains.
Oh, stop complaining - you volunteered, didn't you?
Funny, that all of the socialism supporters here convienently ignore posts which provide facts contrary to their beliefs. I shouldn't have expected any less.
Anybody want to debate Purchase Power Parity between socialist nations and Capitalist? Or are we going to convienently forget that fact as we argue our ill-founded points?
That depends on how you define what makes people "happy".
Purchasing powers? So is having more "things" what is truly what life is about and what makes people "happy"? Is simply being a..ble to purchase more what makes people "happy".
ON the contrary.. I think it is what makes people more "unhappy".. the rat race to keep up with the "purchasing"..
Sometimes the happiest of people live the simplest of life. not all the luxuries, but they ahve more quality time with family and friends and they value that more than they value the "material" things.
I'll ask you this.. a head honcho at a company that spends 80hours a week at the office.. is his family really happy? He may have 'quantity' of things.. but what kind of quality does he have.
All the toys in the world do not make up for time with family, friends and loved ones. Those are not the things that people ultimately remember about you.
I was visiting my Father in Hosptal tonight in London. In the next room is a American guitarist who now lives in Europe and has just had a triple bypass operation. He has a home in London and Geneva. I asked him what his views are on Socialism now he has lived in Socialistic Countries. He said that he also thought what Many Americans now think of Socialism..... It is akin to Communism and is dictated to by Govt. He said that too many Americans have been brainwashed by fear and lies about socialism. He still has a home in LA but only goes back to visit family. He laughed when i told him about the UK "Death panels" and the many stupid claims about Europe. He asked me why i thought so many American Celebrities now have homes in Europe. He said it is because they are through with having their pockets picked by big corporations. He said it has got to the point in America that if you sneeze it costs you a bundle. He now understands what socialism is and it is NOTHING like it is portrayed in the USA.
I was visiting my Father in Hosptal tonight in London. In the next room is a American guitarist who now lives in Europe and has just had a triple bypass operation. He has a home in London and Geneva. I asked him what his views are on Socialism now he has lived in Socialistic Countries. He said that he also thought what Many Americans now think of Socialism..... It is akin to Communism and is dictated to by Govt. He said that too many Americans have been brainwashed by fear and lies about socialism. He still has a home in LA but only goes back to visit family. He laughed when i told him about the UK "Death panels" and the many stupid claims about Europe. He asked me why i thought so many American Celebrities now have homes in Europe. He said it is because they are through with having their pockets picked by big corporations. He said it has got to the point in America that if you sneeze it costs you a bundle. He now understands what socialism is and it is NOTHING like it is portrayed in the USA.
An American guitarist? LOL, That's socialist speak for "Bum".
People who actually have brains realize that celebrities have nothing remotely in common with the average American (or Brit) and they don't give a hoot what they do or how they live their lives. One thing that I do know for certain is that when and if they do get sick (God fordid), they will most assuredly not be depending on the NHS for their care.
Maybe you should adopt seven kids from Africa and give them weird names huh geeoro? LOL!
I was visiting my Father in Hosptal tonight in London. In the next room is a American guitarist who now lives in Europe and has just had a triple bypass operation. He has a home in London and Geneva. I asked him what his views are on Socialism now he has lived in Socialistic Countries. He said that he also thought what Many Americans now think of Socialism..... It is akin to Communism and is dictated to by Govt. He said that too many Americans have been brainwashed by fear and lies about socialism. He still has a home in LA but only goes back to visit family. He laughed when i told him about the UK "Death panels" and the many stupid claims about Europe. He asked me why i thought so many American Celebrities now have homes in Europe. He said it is because they are through with having their pockets picked by big corporations. He said it has got to the point in America that if you sneeze it costs you a bundle. He now understands what socialism is and it is NOTHING like it is portrayed in the USA.
You pretty much describe how many people in the USA, particularly in the South view socialism. I will admit I grew up very ignorant of socialism. The only things I remembered about it at age 15 was communism. I guess it didn't help that USSR is an acronym for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. I had no idea that the free health care and services found in Sweden and Finland were socialist. I knew I liked it, but I didn't know that it was socialism and not communism. I learned that later on. Although I do like the idea of owning a business, I feel kind of socialist at heart sometimes. It is rather interesting that in the USA, the states that come close to socialism are Wisconsin and Minnesota(Milwaukee,Wisconsin elected 3 socialist mayors, the only major city to do so). Where I live(near Atlanta), alot of people I know are vehemently anti-socialist. Ironic because the South is the poorest region in the USA. In fact, I notice that despite the South being a very poor region, socialism has not taken root. In fact, the Ku Klux Klan hated socialists and labor unions, deeming them to be agents of Communism. Alot of people I know behave as if they are scared of any kind of socialism. For some reason, I am not scared of it. I say encourage entrepreneurial spirit, but also have a safety net there, just in case you do fall. That is how I look at it. There are people who cheat and are lazy, but those persons are not in the large numbers. I look at many of the socialist programs this way. They are meant to be used, to be there just in case you do need it. I am not going to say stuff happens because I know better. Stuff gets done, by people to people.
Socialism paranoia..... is irrational and illogical.
Now, before anyone label me a liberal, socialist, communist, and what not, leave the labels at the door, they don't apply. I'm a conservative.
I have a question for those who are against socialism, why are you against socialism? What's wrong with socialism?
The most successful countries in are world, today, are those who combine socialism and capitalism in a way the both protects the citizens AND allows for gain from innovation, hard work, education, etc. It is a mystery to me why a great many Americans seem unable to recognize that this sort of hybrid system is much healthier for a country than heavily weighting in either direction!
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