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When you start thinking one "ism" works better then others in all situations, youve lost sight of reality. Capitalism is great for many things, but its not a one size fits all world,
Capitalism is freedom. Are you saying people should have freedom?
The problem for me isn't necessarily more government subsidized things like health care, it's perpetual welfare leeches that want to live without ever having to work. They want something for nothing. This is not how nordic style socialism works. People are expected to contribute. Such systems would collapse if too large a chunk of the population were not contributing but only parasites.
My problem is rewarding irresponsible behavior. We are becoming a lazy, overweight, decadent, entitled society that thinks they have a God given right to simply be given everything. No. Just no. To qualify for aid, someone should be required to work 90% of their working life if they are able, and they should be punished for behaviors such as having too high of a BMI and other risk factors like we already do with smoking.
If we have single payer we can take the health care burden off employers. We can even supplement people's income if their job has insufficient pay.. but to simply give them money to sit on their ass? No. No.
My problem is sabotaging Americans ability to stay above water bc you want to stick it to this tiny, insignificant slice of the population.
Someone wants to live on Doritos and hot dogs, but to stick it to him, we should pay 3x more for healthcare than our nearest peer nation. How does that make sense?
Worthless socialist blather. ANYONE in this country who is disciplined and is willing to work hard cans succeed and be financially independent. The ones that aren't have no sense of discipline, have no ability to delay gratification, have no work ethic, and feel entitled to success without making the effort necessary to actually be successful. Anyone who says anyone in the country is essentially a slave has no pucking clue what slavery really is.
We've raised a generation or two that mostly consist of entitled little brats, until they realize that they have to make an effort to succeed, we're going to have listen to their whiney demands that the rich hand them money. These brats deserve to starve to figure out that they have to earn what they get.
I agree with Bernie, & the latest member of the AOC socialist squad, Jamal Bowman, when they say the current system "enslaves" the 99%, and is only working well for the Elite top 1%.
Its a newer softer rendition of slavery, but it shares some of the same characteristics as old school slavery.
To a great extent, Trump, Rand Paul, The Tea Party, & myself, are saying something very similar...we are way too heavy at the top with income, wealth, & future opportunity. A barrier has been put into place between the have's & have not's...we call it "the swamp", others call it "the elite's".
We are all working on the right problem...the same problem. Income & wealth gaps that prevent many in the bottom half from saving for their futures, and moving up the social ladder. Even the top 2%-49% are having to struggle harder to stave off the top 1% to maintain their way of life.
Our proposed solutions, differ in this way....
...Bernie, AOC, & the squad feel our free market economy system has failed, & socialism is the answer. They have lost all faith in our system, & our leaders, so they want a re-set.
...Trump, Paul, the Tea Party, & I, feel the original system that America was founded upon was excellent, and got us this far, but Washington DC has been changing it for 200+ years into the convoluted version we have today; that is failing us. It has evolved very poorly into something almost unrecognizeable from where we began in 1776 w/ Declaration of Independence, 1787 with the Constitution, & in 1791 with the Bill of Rights.
I believe the 99% can force a return to the system, as originally crafted. I don't think the people we have in DC today, will ever do it. They must be removed, & replaced...en masse..peacefully.
The 99% needs to flood the zone with new candidates for every political office in DC. The 99% need to vote for their/our own candidates, to get all the incumbants out.
Pipe dreams. All societies are run by the rich and powerful who make all the laws which are there for the express purpose of insuring they retain their wealth and power. It's like they own the casino so the odds are established to always be in the house's favor. Even when there is a revolution, the new ruling class takes on all the characteristics of the previous rulers. If enough people are behind it they can turn the country more progressive, like they have in other countries, but it won't change life for the majority of people. Society is a pyramid of wealth and opportunity because it is designed to be that way. Even the founding fathers were mostly aristocrats and wealthy land owners with real slaves and real servants. Do you think the Constitution changed anyone's lives except theirs?
Pipe dreams. All societies are run by the rich and powerful who make all the laws which are there for the express purpose of insuring they retain their wealth and power. It's like they own the casino so the odds are established to be in the house's favor. Even when there is a revolution, the new ruling class takes on all the characteristics of the previous rulers. If enough people are behind it they can turn the country more progressive, like they have in other countries, but it won't change life for the majority of people. Society is a pyramid of wealth and opportunity because it is designed to be that way. Even the founding fathers were mostly aristocrats and wealthy land owners with real slaves and real servants. Do you think the Constitution changed anyone's lives except theirs?
The rich do not control or politics. They convinced working class Republicans to fight on their behalf and defend the policies that entrench them. Every policy that cements the the power structure of the elite, is overwhelmingly backed by Republicans. You couldn't name three policies that the go supports that chips away at any of the power the elite have secreted for their benefit.
My biggest gripe with the OPs original post was where they referred to our system as being free market, and described it as being a modern form of slavery. It is anything but. Other than that, yes, the system does (gently) keep people in their place. You can call it slavery, or whatever you want really. The fact is, you do have the freedom of will and choice. But are you willing to sacrifice and work towards what it is you think you want? I think for most people, once they start having children/family to worry about, fall into place because it's easier than the alternative, offers more security and immediate comfort, and "everyone else is doing it".
Complain about it all you want. I certainly have in the past. But you are your own man/woman, and can make you own choices in life. Can any real slave do that? Ask them. There are still slaves today in this world. Honestly compare your life to theirs, and get back to me.
Do you guys ever get tired of this. Why does it have to be that "socialist are trying to make everyone equal?"
Why can't it be that the person who's with 5 billion is now with 2 billion?
Why can't it be that companies that pays out 50M in bonuses, only pays out 20M?
Are you telling me 2B is not incentive? That 20M in bonuses is not incentive?
Because it will never stop. Do people stop asking for higher minimum wage? No. They got what $10 an hour? Now they want $15.
Until things are equal you'll always have people without less & they will push for wanting more.
And perfect example is your examples. Instead of paying out 50m in bonuses the only pay out 20m in bonuses. Well, why can't you pay out 10m instead of 20???
Because it will never stop. Do people stop asking for higher minimum wage? No. They got what $10 an hour? Now they want $15.
Until things are equal you'll always have people without less & they will push for wanting more.
Yeah it's weird how 15 years ago, people thought the min wage should be $10, and now they think it should be $15. It's almost like things get more expensive over time.
Perhaps the OP needs a dose of real slavery?.... just for reference.
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