I am proud to be a socialist.

At some point in the fairly recent past the issue of socialism escalated somewhat.

There have been some really great threads about the benefits of the ideology yet we always seem to go around the same old arguments and it amount's to nothing.

This said I would like to say that I have a deep regard for many aspects of socialism and regardless of the attacks and insults that always ensue I will stand up and be proud for my beliefs.

It has it's failings when taken too far but a careful blend of socialism and capitalism is to me the only way to progress as both systems are flawed when taken as an extreme.

Given the choice between the two I would choose it over capitalism any day of the week.

a reply to: nonspecific
IMHO, the problem is not the system, it is us, HUMANS.

What ever system is used, man will find a way to abuse it. Period.

originally posted by: stosh64
a reply to: nonspecific
IMHO, the problem is not the system, it is us, HUMANS.

What ever system is used, man will find a way to abuse it. Period.

Greed can corrupt anything, I agree 100%

I just love the way that people will decry the aspects of socialism that actually benefit the population as a whole.

I have a very good friend that hates the UK labour party because the tv tells them that it is wrong even though they are elderly and disabled and the system they propose would benefit them far more than the one we already have.

I believe we should socialize basic needs but capitalize everything else.

Education, healthcare and the justice system NEEDS to be socialized as thinking in profits in those fields is to the detriment of the population. Also, everyone in 2015 should have a basic shelter, shouldn't starve and should have a decent chance at making a living.

The rest, capitalize the s*** out of it. Because of supply and demand, everytime someone buys a product, that person is VOTING on that product. Bad products don't sell, garbage out.

When a company fails, LET IT FAIL! We shouldn't be living in a facist system where corporations get subsidies. If they can't make it, they deserve to fail. That's the beauty of capitalism.

originally posted by: theMediator
I believe we should socialize basic needs but capitalize everything else.

Education, healthcare and the justice system NEEDS to be socialized as thinking in profits in those fields is to the detriment of the population. Also, everyone in 2015 should have a basic shelter, shouldn't starve and should have a decent chance at making a living.

The rest, capitalize the s*** out of it. Because of supply and demand, everytime someone buys a product, that person is VOTING on that product. Bad products don't sell, garbage out.

When a company fails, LET IT FAIL! We shouldn't be living in a facist system where corporations get subsidies. If they can't make it, they deserve to fail. That's the beauty of capitalism.

I am of the opinion that if you need it to survive it should be nationalised, Health, energy, water, waste, communication should all be privatised.

Ipads and BMW's hell yes let them fight for your money and create the best product.

originally posted by: theMediator
I believe we should socialize basic needs but capitalize everything else.

Education, healthcare and the justice system NEEDS to be socialized as thinking in profits in those fields is to the detriment of the population. Also, everyone in 2015 should have a basic shelter, shouldn't starve and should have a decent chance at making a living.

The rest, capitalize the s*** out of it. Because of supply and demand, everytime someone buys a product, that person i

POublic VOTING on that product. Bad products don't sell, garbage out.

When a company fails, LET IT FAIL! We shouldn't be living in a facist system where corporations get subsidies. If they can't make it, they deserve to fail. That's the beauty of capitalism.

Public education in the US is socialized and it has been an unmitigated disaster, particularly for the poor. All one has to do is look at the VA and medicare to see how socialized medicine works.

The following is often mistakenly attributed to Winston Churchill, Benjamin Disraeli, Otto von Bismarck, and George Bernard Shaw, but actually originally stems from a Frenchman, François Guizot. It has been quoted so many times that the origin is often disputed, but it is something like this:

"If you are not a socialist by the time you are twenty you have no heart. If you are still a socialist by the age of thirty, you have no head."

You must be young.

a reply to: nonspecific

Maybe when you've lived with a socialist society for any length of time you would see the pitfalls. Grass is always greener 'n all that.

Endless self fed bureacracy to keep the lazy in work while they do the minimum possible which keeps a society at a pace that cannot compete or evolve in a global market. The only reason for success is a strong national product in the first place.

The complete obliteration and erradication of any entrepreneurial influence.

Socialism promotes willful ignorance and a passion about traditionalism that stomps on individuality and breeds xenophobia and racism as the norm.

Why the hell do we need labels and boxes in the first place? Only a sheep could think it's happy inside a well made fence being fed what it's fed without considering or daring to strike out on it's own and be more than a number in a flock.

Yes, I live in France. The system sucks. I would NEVER consider myself socialist or anything of that ilk. Fortunately, I have the individuality and intelligence to be able to live a life under the radar (legally) and will ALWAYS fight 'The man' from wherever I stand.

I expect no handouts and give the same in return. That is my quiet pride.

Those who are happy to wear the label 'socialist' are a pain in the arse and weak in their own beliefs which only support those who are similar.

Why can't we rid ourselves of those who need to tick boxes, pass paper and never accept responsibility for their position in society.

Socialism excludes people believe it or not. It is a deluded reality and it DOES'T WORK unless you are one of the sheeple.

Don't do it!

I don't have any problem with Socialism. I do have a problem with some people who do not want to do their job and causes other workers to work harder to make up. Once in a while a person feels down and can't work, but I know too many people who slack off and others have to do extra work.

If the employer can fire one of these types in Socialism it is all right. If you don't like the work, find something you do like instead of making your coworkers miserable. Capitalism can work right, but people exploit it too. If you go to work for eight hours, work is work, there should not be people making a hundred grand a year for what they are doing. I like what I read about Norways socialism. It seems to be something that is working.

Healhcare should be socialized. There is no doubt in my mind. When people profit off of others sickness, it can get corrupt.

originally posted by: rickymouse
I don't have any problem with Socialism. I do have a problem with some people who do not want to do their job and causes other workers to work harder to make up.

That's France.....except the workers who COULD make up for their coworkers who don't do their jobs will end up passing the buck or not giving a damn.

One of the most often used mannerisms here is a 'shrug' as if to say 'so what'. Socialism has bred this....'If they don't, why should I' mentality.

Communism at it's core is a fantastic idea. As long as EVERYONE is willing to do their part, and NOBODY get's greedy. Unfortunately, we are talking about HUMANS and human nature tends to push us all towards greed.

Socialism is communism light. And all the helping other ideas are great, until you run out of other peoples money to fund those ideas. Then you have to raise taxes. And you have that problem with greed again.

Having lived in a capitalist society and seeing the benefits of hard work and good ideas, I prefer capitalism. I know I can always do something, take some risks, and might just hit the big time, but I have that chance. And if I fail, I have nobody to blame but me.

originally posted by: nerbot

originally posted by: rickymouse
I don't have any problem with Socialism. I do have a problem with some people who do not want to do their job and causes other workers to work harder to make up.

That's France.....except the workers who COULD make up for their coworkers who don't do their jobs will end up passing the buck or not giving a damn.

One of the most often used mannerisms here is a 'shrug' as if to say 'so what'. Socialism has bred this....'If they don't, why should I' mentality.

Which is why socialism fails. Many people will not do more than is necessary to get by. It is human nature. Socialist fail to understand this concept yet it is right before their very eyes. Capitalism forces people to fend for themselves and people are rewarded for their effort.

When you strip it down to its core, socialism is a way for those who are mediocre / average to reap the rewards of those who are the best. Lazy people prefer socialism.

originally posted by: schuyler
The following is often mistakenly attributed to Winston Churchill, Benjamin Disraeli, Otto von Bismarck, and George Bernard Shaw, but actually originally stems from a Frenchman, François Guizot. It has been quoted so many times that the origin is often disputed, but it is something like this:

"If you are not a socialist by the time you are twenty you have no heart. If you are still a socialist by the age of thirty, you have no head."

You must be young.

I am nearly 40 but a damn sight younger than all of the people you did not quote.

What does that actually mean other than quoting a dead person?

Why?

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: theMediator
I believe we should socialize basic needs but capitalize everything else.

Education, healthcare and the justice system NEEDS to be socialized as thinking in profits in those fields is to the detriment of the population. Also, everyone in 2015 should have a basic shelter, shouldn't starve and should have a decent chance at making a living.

The rest, capitalize the s*** out of it. Because of supply and demand, everytime someone buys a product, that person i

POublic VOTING on that product. Bad products don't sell, garbage out.

When a company fails, LET IT FAIL! We shouldn't be living in a facist system where corporations get subsidies. If they can't make it, they deserve to fail. That's the beauty of capitalism.

Public education in the US is socialized and it has been an unmitigated disaster, particularly for the poor. All one has to do is look at the VA and medicare to see how socialized medicine works.

So because it did not work in your opinion in the US then you deem it useless.

Because the only thing in the world is the US right and you got it all right from the outset with socialist ideas?

It means when people are young they are idealistic. However, as they age and gain experience in the real world, they wise up and realize the world is not rainbows and unicorn tears.

originally posted by: network dude
Communism at it's core is a fantastic idea. As long as EVERYONE is willing to do their part, and NOBODY get's greedy. Unfortunately, we are talking about HUMANS and human nature tends to push us all towards greed.

Socialism is communism light. And all the helping other ideas are great, until you run out of other peoples money to fund those ideas. Then you have to raise taxes. And you have that problem with greed again.

Having lived in a capitalist society and seeing the benefits of hard work and good ideas, I prefer capitalism. I know I can always do something, take some risks, and might just hit the big time, but I have that chance. And if I fail, I have nobody to blame but me.

And therein lies the failing of socialism on its most fundamental level. Socialism works great when everybody takes only what they need and no more.

Socialism fails completely as soon as the "more equal pigs" start showing up. As they always, ALWAYS, do.

Double tap.

Pew pew

originally posted by: network dude
Communism at it's core is a fantastic idea. As long as EVERYONE is willing to do their part, and NOBODY get's greedy. Unfortunately, we are talking about HUMANS and human nature tends to push us all towards greed.

Socialism is communism light. And all the helping other ideas are great, until you run out of other peoples money to fund those ideas. Then you have to raise taxes. And you have that problem with greed again.

Having lived in a capitalist society and seeing the benefits of hard work and good ideas, I prefer capitalism. I know I can always do something, take some risks, and might just hit the big time, but I have that chance. And if I fail, I have nobody to blame but me.

I was talking about socialist ideals?

It took that long to bring communism into the thread?

The Regan administration did a great job there did they not?

a reply to: Shamrock6

Say again?

a reply to: nonspecific

Double tap = hit submit twice = double post.

Pew pew = two internet gun noises.