Life Under Socialism

[Joe in PNG]

As it has been alluded to some posts ago, Scandinavia is not socialist. They are mostly a free market economy, that creates its wealth using free market capitalism, that is then taxed heavily and used to fund social programs. That is not socialism, where a majority of the means of production is state owned/controlled. Of course Norway also has enormous income from its gas/oil reserves. So Scandinavia is essentially a welfare state that makes its money using capitalism. No free market capitalism, no goodies to redistribute. This is a key point. With true Socialism you have jack shit to re-distribute, as after a while, the lack of incentive and bureaucratic constipation, not to mention corruption, from Socialist policies, collapse the economy. Another key point is that the relief valve in true Socialist countries, where the economy is basically collapsed, is the Black Market! It allows people the means to at least have access to goods like toilet paper, more decent food products, etc. And what is the Black Market? It is an unbridled free market. It has been said that Socialist/Communist countries don't truly want to crack down on the Black Market, lest they want the people to really lose it and revolt!

Basically, Scandinavia is more akin to a Condominium with lots of facilities, and lost of high fees. The tenants are owners, and as such are invested in making things run.

Socialism is more akin to Section 8 public housing. Nobody really owns it, so nobody really takes care of it.

People use the image of #1 to try to sell #2.

[11B10]

Yeah best not remind me of the long Soviet-designed bread lines I stood in with my grandmother when I was very young. Unable to practice our religion, unable to speak out against government injustice and unable to move up in social class.

That is not the American way of life and even the hint of such a transition, even a slow one, should be resisted in any way possible.

First, I am glad you were somehow able to escape what can only be described as hell on earth. Sorry if you're reminded of those terrible times, but we must never forget - none of us. We are a better country for your being here.

Now, I know you are not as naïve as you portend ^^^^^, so why are you pretending to be? Have you never visited a college campus anywhere in America? How about elementary schools? They don't teach U.S. History, Sir! It is not a HINT of transition - it is a full fledged assault that has warped the "American way of life" to the point Bernie Sanders appears to most of America as basically harmless. I keep waiting for Rod Serling to appear.

rant now off

[voodoo_man]

First, I am glad you were somehow able to escape what can only be described as hell on earth. Sorry if you're reminded of those terrible times, but we must never forget - none of us. We are a better country for your being here.

Now, I know you are not as naïve as you portend ^^^^^, so why are you pretending to be? Have you never visited a college campus anywhere in America? How about elementary schools? They don't teach U.S. History, Sir! It is not a HINT of transition - it is a full fledged assault that has warped the "American way of life" to the point Bernie Sanders appears to most of America as basically harmless. I keep waiting for Rod Serling to appear.

rant now off

While it may be true that the American educational system is not the finest or what it once was, it is still pretty good and at the end of the day it is our responsibility as parents to teach out children the correct things.

I don't care what school teaches now a days, I can tell you that I will be going over things with my family and instilling the correct concepts and proper history.

[DacoRoman]

Basically, Scandinavia is more akin to a Condominium with lots of facilities, and lost of high fees. The tenants are owners, and as such are invested in making things run.

Socialism is more akin to Section 8 public housing. Nobody really owns it, so nobody really takes care of it.

People use the image of #1 to try to sell #2.

good analogy

[Maple Syrup Actual]

Basically, Scandinavia is more akin to a Condominium with lots of facilities, and lost of high fees. The tenants are owners, and as such are invested in making things run.

Socialism is more akin to Section 8 public housing. Nobody really owns it, so nobody really takes care of it.

People use the image of #1 to try to sell #2.

f###ing YES!

[The Apprentice]

First, I am glad you were somehow able to escape what can only be described as hell on earth. Sorry if you're reminded of those terrible times, but we must never forget - none of us. We are a better country for your being here.

Now, I know you are not as naïve as you portend ^^^^^, so why are you pretending to be? Have you never visited a college campus anywhere in America? How about elementary schools? They don't teach U.S. History, Sir! It is not a HINT of transition - it is a full fledged assault that has warped the "American way of life" to the point Bernie Sanders appears to most of America as basically harmless. I keep waiting for Rod Serling to appear.

rant now off

You realize you're bitching about socialism and at the same time expecting a social program that most of the US depends on to raise their children to educate them on the ills of socialism. What do think is going to happen. Voodoo's response was spot on it is those of us who value are freedoms jobs to educate our children and anyone else we can for that matter.

[11B10]

While it may be true that the American educational system is not the finest or what it once was, it is still pretty good and at the end of the day it is our responsibility as parents to teach out children the correct things.

I don't care what school teaches now a days, I can tell you that I will be going over things with my family and instilling the correct concepts and proper history.

vdm - please never misunderstand me - it is my fault if I'm not clear enough. We don't know each other, but we are on the same page and it's clear we share the same values system. You are pursuing the right path with your family - as have I in raising my three children. It is just a sad fact of life in America today that so many are NOT being taught the right things. Carry on, brother!

[11B10]

You realize you're bitching about socialism and at the same time expecting a social program that most of the US depends on to raise their children to educate them on the ills of socialism. What do think is going to happen. Voodoo's response was spot on it is those of us who value are freedoms jobs to educate our children and anyone else we can for that matter.

Again, I apologize for apparently (?) not being clear enough. I never said vdm was incorrect - if anything, I was imploring him (and everyone!) to ramp it up! I'm not choosing sides here. No one who has met me has ever doubted who I am or what I believe. My remarks were intended to share in the prevailing wisdom here that our system is breaking and it's up to us to fix it. Upon rereading my post, I don't see how you could get another meaning from my words.

[voodoo_man]

It's the Internet and sometimes posts don't come across as intended. Such is life. We are all on the same page on this anyway, I just hope it'll never come to walking the walk.

[The Apprentice]

Again, I apologize for apparently (?) not being clear enough. I never said vdm was incorrect - if anything, I was imploring him (and everyone!) to ramp it up! I'm not choosing sides here. No one who has met me has ever doubted who I am or what I believe. My remarks were intended to share in the prevailing wisdom here that our system is breaking and it's up to us to fix it. Upon rereading my post, I don't see how you could get another meaning from my words.

No need to apologize. There is so much I have to say about this subject and a lot of the hypocrisy involved on both sides of the aisle. In my opinion what really should concern all of us the most is loosing our voice in government democtates and republicans are becoming more and more influenced by corporate sponcers. As an example look into the farm bill if the republicans were all about deregulation and anti socalizm why are we giving farmers millions not to plant fields and get paid for it but god forbid they include food stamps. As an aside the iconic American farmer is gone now they are just farm managers with large tracks of land being owned by corporaions. So why is no one calling republicans out for propping up business with social programs.

I think republicans and democrates are a lot more alike then they would like you to believe. Now like many here I tend to vote republican as a lesser of two evils but with out fundamental reforms I am very concerned about what kind of America my children will grow up in.

Sorry I am not very good at putting my thoughts into writings on topics as dense as this is. Hope I made a little bit of sense.