Please explain Socialism to an idiot.

reply to post by Gateway


Anybody can compile a bunch of video clips to make a system look bad. I wouldn't be surprised if some lobby sponsored that "documentary".
This video is about the American system. They say 22,000 Americans die every year because they are uninsured.

reply to post by red_leader

Can somebody explain the difference between medicare and medicaid?? I don't get it.

Medicare is an insurance plan underwritten and subsidized by the government for the elderly/retired.

Medicaid is free health care given to the indigent.

Both are socialized programs, but Medicaid is pure charity, while Medicare is only subsidized, not free.

TheRedneck

reply to post by red 5


I would say why only tax the oil industry? Why not tax heavily other industries like the Computer, Energy Industry, Agricultural Industry, Clothing Industries, etc? Why only stop there? Are you starting to see the picture that taxing ANY Industries would only lead to higher prices for everyone. Taxing any industry only means consumers will add the tax to the new price.

Since I oppose anyone having to pay a higher price for anything, of course I will oppose any form of taxation.

Socialism is where the government and private industry are the same. Whether the government controls private industry, or private industry controls government, makes no difference.

Otherwise known as facism, or the free market.

When the people running business and the people running government are the same, then the people are screwed, and representative government is thrown out the window. The government no longer works for the people, but instead for the elites who control the system.

reply to post by red_leader


Also I would also like to add that the reason why place like Canada, Europe and Mexico pay a cheaper price for OUR PHARMACEUTICALS is because YOU GUYS are free riders.

Your governments threaten to take away/steal patents from OUR companies and give them to your inept ones if they don't provide a price that is suitable to your Heath Care bureaucratic Boards. Therefore since we have free markets here they RAISE OUR prices to cover the difference that your countries do not provide.

Also is it no wonder that Pharmaceutical industries thrive in our country, while flee others. Since we don't set price controls here, pharmaceutical companies are free to invent new drugs, and properly set prices; IT is why WE Americans see the newest drugs here FIRST, because introducing them where the prices are determined by bureaucrats would mean taking a loss on a new innovation.

Source: www.irpp.org...

reply to post by Gateway


Yea I get it, But did you look at the link? She wants to tax the rich and give to the poor. the first answer iI got on this post was Robin Hood. come on no one wants to agree that Alaska, under Palin is practicing socialism. Try to explain it otherwise.

reply to post by poet1b

Socialism is where the government and private industry are the same. Whether the government controls private industry, or private industry controls government, makes no difference.

Otherwise known as facism, or the free market.

Socialism and fascism are not the same thing.



Fascism is defined as:


Socialism is inclusive of all the people, while fascism is exclusive to all but those of a certain ethnicity/class/race. Totally opposite ends of the spectrum.

TheRedneck

reply to post by Gateway


Big pharma is pure evil. Most of the drugs they are pushing are bad for you. At the same time, they want to make anything that helps with health naturally illegal, because they can't make tons of money from it. If you want to support an industry, you are backing the wrong people.

Originally posted by Gateway
reply to post by red_leader

 

Also is it no wonder that Pharmaceutical industries thrive in our country, while flee others. Since we don't set price controls here, pharmaceutical companies are free to invent new drugs, and properly set prices; IT is why WE Americans see the newest drugs here FIRST, because introducing them where the prices are determined by bureaucrats would mean taking a loss on a new innovation.

O.K. now I am sure you are listening to way to much Rush Limbaugh. Have you also looked into the subsidizing the U.S. gives these Pharmcoms?


[edit on 31-10-2008 by red 5]

[edit on 31-10-2008 by red 5]

reply to post by red 5

Originally posted by Hastobemoretolife reply to post by red_leader Where I live is a major tourist destination in the country. During the summer you can see lots of Canadian license plates, and I use to sell cars and lots of Canadians use to come to our lot because cars are cheaper down here. So I have talked to a lot of them and they are all pretty much in agreement that the US health care system is not that crappy.

So you are saying that the Canadians are coming to the U.S.A. for health care?

Ok, I'm going to take the blame on this and say I wasn't clear enough with my answer.

They are not going to the doctors while they are on vacation. Most of these people live closer to the border of the US and they travel across the border to get their health care. Most of these people are have life long illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, etc.

In the US you can find doctors within a few miles that specialize in certain illnesses.

Like I said in an earlier post our insurance is the problem.

As far as people losing their jobs and losing their benefits by law they have to give you health care coverage and it is called Cobra it sucks but it is still insurance.

And to poet1b, fascism is not the free market. Fascism is Corporatism look up Benito Mussolini to find out more about this.

[edit on 31-10-2008 by Hastobemoretolife]

[edit on 31-10-2008 by Hastobemoretolife]

reply to post by poet1b


I support any American industry, so long as all of their accomplishments were done in the free-market, and have not been granted any special treatment or privilege by our government.

If evil you mean great advances in cancer medication, organ transplant rejection medication, Aids, even hair restoration...then you and I have different meaning for the word EVIL.



[edit on 31-10-2008 by Gateway]

reply to post by red 5


Or how about the subsidies that Obama said he will provide for the Medical industry. (Stem Cell)

If you oppose any type of subsidy or corporate welfare as I do, then why would anyone support OBAMA'S plans?

Well any way here in Minot it is 11:15 on Halloween and I am going down to the bar and look at the costumes. Check in later.

reply to post by Gateway


If by "pharmaceutical companies are free to invent new drugs, and properly set prices; IT is why WE Americans see the newest drugs here FIRST, because introducing them where the prices are determined by bureaucrats would mean taking a loss on a new innovation." You mean drugs like Pacsil, Cymbalta, Vioxx, Chantix etc. That do not go through proper clinical trials, and are instead "fast-tracked" straight to the consumer so Big Pharma can make a quick buck because its cheaper to pay a few malpractice, lawsuits than properly test them?

By "free riders" do you mean a country that forces another to sell oil water lumber and hydro electric power at reduced prices under threat of trade tarrifs? because thats America

From Wikipedia on NAFTA:

There is some concern in Canada over the provision that if something is sold even once as a commodity, the government cannot stop its sale in the future.[citation needed] This applies to the water from Canada's lakes and rivers, fueling fears over the possible destruction of Canadian ecosystems and water supply.

reply to post by red_leader

That do not go through proper clinical trials, and are instead "fast-tracked" straight to the consumer so Big Pharma can make a quick buck because its cheaper to pay a few malpractice, lawsuits than properly test them?

Pharmaceutical companies test their products as best as possible. Is it possible that not 100% of all of their products may effect everyone the same, sure. Should they test every single person on earth to ensure that drugs do not have side effects on anyone?

What about the people dying of Aids or Cancer in Canada, or Europe and because of price controls set by their governments, cause companies to choose not to release the drug there because of loss in profits? If you are terminally ill in Canada or Europe and don't have access to the newest medication available because of these GREAT CONTROLS you claim, then why is it the most wealthiest of Europe and Canada come here to the U.S. to take our DEADLY PHARMACEUTICAL DRUGS and have the newest available treatments?

As for the other comment about Nafta...I believe in Free-markets, Nafta is trade management, and has nothing to do with free trade it should be done away with.

[edit on 31-10-2008 by Gateway]

reply to post by Gateway


Because only the wealthiest can afford them.

reply to post by Gateway


I agree with you on NAFTA

reply to post by TheRedneck


You need to read the definitions you provided, and what I stated, and you should realize that what you posted completely supports my post.

Whether the government controls industry, or industry controls the government, it is all the same. The free market principles of Reagan have given giant corporation control of our government. If you don't realize this, then you need to start paying a lot more attention. Take the recent giant, socialized bailout of the banking industry for example.

Gateway

There is no such thing as a free market, the term is an oxymoron. Markets exist best when their is competition, competition requires a governing body that evenly applies a fair set of rules (like any professional sport). Without the government regulation of commerce, you have just a different kind of feudalism.

reply to post by Gateway


Pharmeceutical companies exist to make money. They test their products to prove that they should be sold on the market. If you believe anything different, you are clinging to a foolish idealistic belief that is simply not true.

reply to post by red_leader


No, they come here because it is the BEST available medical help they can get in the WORLD.

If those countries provided the best treatment available, than why come here to PAY for it, when you can stay in your own country and receive the treatment for free.

We have the best here because their is no restriction on prices and profits companies can set, therefore they innovate, and know that if it pans out then they can reap the profits from doing so.