This pandemic proves why we need to move away from capitalism (attorneys, healthcare)
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Not defending socialism here, but pretty sure that woman is not a socialist (the man she replaced is, which socialists around the world whined about extensively)
That's not Socialism, though. Bernie Sanders got a stern talking-to from the King of Denmark, when he referred to their system as Socialism.
Really, a new term needs to be coined to describe Europe's system, because it is very much capitalism-based. It makes no sense to call it socialism. And "democratic socialism" doesn't describe it, either. Because it's still capitalism, plus, the Socialism of the Soviet bloc also claimed to be democratic. They did have elections. The old-style Socialism is still alive and kicking, and rattling around Latin America, in case anyone is wondering, so we really do need a new term for Europe's capitalistic "socialism".
"Kinder, gentler capitalism"? "Welfare capitalism"? IDK. Maybe we should organize a contest, to see who can come up with a good term.
Pretty sad the masses are so duped by the manipulated media venues.
Government would prefer us to be dependent, lacking social and critical thinking skills.
The citizens hurt the most right now economically are the entrepreneurs etc.
Capitalism once worked in this country, but as politicians became sold out to corporate interests; it failed the majority.
Capitalisms started off fine, but it got corrupted and turned into crony capitalism. Big tobacco for decades kept lying to our faces saying cigarettes were safe, advertising them to children (Flintstones TV ad for one), and the CEO of one company telling Congress that women who smoke have smaller babies (winking that he's sure they'd appreciate that). Many corporations would rather buy out and suppress their competition and then leverage their power of monopolies.
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We get a lot of neat products through larger companies, but I'm as worried about them as I am the US government. Don't underestimate the amount of damage and manipulation a company with vast amounts of data and up to a trillion dollars of assets can do. It's more dangerous then sending stormtroopers to our homes in some ways since they can be more subtle about what they do.
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Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth
There was no such thing as "investing" under socialism. The State owned everything, so what was there for citizens to invest in? There also was no saving, officially, because there was no need for it (in theory), since the State provided everything, and also, the salaries/wages were too small to allow for saving. People only managed to save (for a big purchase, like a car) by developing side gigs, which were quasi-legal.
In this pandemic, we're already inching toward socialism. The federal authorities have confiscated a big order of medical supplies and equipment placed by a recently hard-hit county in WA State, and redirected it to another locale in need. Central planning and allocation of goods like that is a hallmark of Socialism. Cancelling elections, as one side of the equation is hoping to do, or manipulating elections, is a hallmark of Socialism. Authorizing a federal agency to spy on its own citizens, as GW Bush did, is typical of totalitarian Socialism.
Don't forget that a huge stimulus check is in the works, further us going towards socialism!
Capitalism, as it has been practiced in the United States, is not true capitalism but crony capitalism. Crony capitalism has failed my generation (Millennials) twice. Millennials are sick and tired of the current capitalistic system not serving their interests. Which generation suffered the most when capitalism was shaken to its core in 2008? The answer is Millennials. Millennials couldn't get their first jobs out of school in the late 2000s/early 2010s and had to retreat to their parents' basements. That traumatized many Millennials and left them massively distrusting of the current capitalistic structure. Millennials are also taking the brunt of the layoffs in the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic as well.
I think you are on to something. Whatever we have that passes for "capitalism" isn't working if it ever did. For one thing, the concept of trickle down economics has never worked and never will. In the decades since the Reagan administration, that perverted failed concept has come to represent what capitalism means to Americans and, as we have seen so often, people make fools of themselves defending it. It has all but destroyed the middle class and we are faced with a huge and growing problem of wealth inequality. Much of what we see and hear about generational inequality, inflated CEO salaries and bonuses, and the supposed war against white men or the middle class can be traced to the faulty economics of American "capitalism".
We do need to move away from what we have into something more mixed and fair to all people rather than the top heavy system we have now.
Actually the stimulus is to keep money flowing through the economy.............they want people working/earning/spending
The rest of your post from aliens to total devastation I just ignored.
EXACTLY this!
The little stimulus checks that most (not all) will get will not even pay most peoples rent or mortgage payments; however, it might help with the medical bills that may be coming, food, utilities, car payments, etc. The few that are fortunate enough to not lose their jobs might spend a small portion of it, but I bet most will save it until this is over before they spend it.
The Democrats want to be back in office so bad that they're overblowing this entire pandemic... They want people to truly believe they need socialism now. Socialism just won't work in a country of this size... It may work in smaller countries, like Denmark, but it won't work here. It will bankrupt this country.
Both parties want socialism though... in fact, Trump is the most socialist president this country has ever seen, and it's not even close. Congress unanimously (Dems AND Repubs) passed this stimulus in the trillions (socialism). Unfortunately, no free market/libertarian Republicans exist anymore, so this level of insane spending goes unquestioned.
I'm not against the little guy getting a check, that will barely even buy him groceries. I'm against these INSANE bailouts to support failed mega corporations. I'm against socialism, but especially socialism for the corporations. What is even the point of corporate ethics if they can go crazy in "the good times", buying back stock to inflate stock prices, CEOs getting insane bonuses etc., then get bailed out during the rough times from.... the little guy? Let em fail.
The recent bills in the trillions have proven that America isn't heading for socialism or flirting with socialism... it's here right now. Just because this is a pandemic does not mean this isn't socialism. What happened to the free market Republicans and Tea Party people? Apparently they all disappeared when Trump got elected.
Last edited by CCrest182; 04-11-2020 at 10:56 PM..
Muh free market (crony) capitalism is something that got us into the mess we're in(supply chains being exported to China). And this is coming from someone who had libertarian-conservative beliefs a month ago. Pro-GDP, very limited govt, the whole 9 yards.
Why do people keep bringing up Venezuela or some 3rd world craphole when someone suggests "socialism"? Are there no nations that enact "socialistic" policies and are able to have success? Because I'll tell you one thing: the USA-style of capitalism hasn't worked. Why do we still have folks working 2-3 jobs(with at least 1 being FT)? Why haven't wages risen as high as they should? Why are there still so many homeless on the streets?
"Big government" isn't the enemy you think it is. 56% income tax in Denmark? Is that the marginal or effective rate?
Muh free market (crony) capitalism is something that got us into the mess we're in(supply chains being exported to China). And this is coming from someone who had libertarian-conservative beliefs a month ago. Pro-GDP, very limited govt, the whole 9 yards.
Why do people keep bringing up Venezuela or some 3rd world craphole when someone suggests "socialism"? Are there no nations that enact "socialistic" policies and are able to have success? Because I'll tell you one thing: the USA-style of capitalism hasn't worked. Why do we still have folks working 2-3 jobs(with at least 1 being FT)? Why haven't wages risen as high as they should? Why are there still so many homeless on the streets?
"Big government" isn't the enemy you think it is. 56% income tax in Denmark? Is that the marginal or effective rate?
We could never have Denmark's system in the US.
And big government is 100% my enemy on many issues.
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