MinnPost What programs constitute socialism? Dems’ and Republicans’ answers differ
This was somewhat interesting especially since my favorite Far Right folks love to use that word to describe almost everyone including myself... I especially liked Eric's summary:
This was somewhat interesting especially since my favorite Far Right folks love to use that word to describe almost everyone including myself... I especially liked Eric's summary:
"My conclusion, based on the poll results: Republicans think things that use tax dollars to help people like them are NOT socialism. Programs that use tax dollars to help the poor or the non-white ARE socialism.I mean we all know that Social Security Retirement, Medicare and Social Security Disability are just welfare for the old, disabled and/or young. And yet I do not see any old Conservatives refusing their Government provided Checks or Services. :-)
- For example, is Medicare socialism? 44 percent of Democrats said yes, but only 29 percent of Republicans agreed.
- Would free health care for all be socialism? Republicans said yes by 77 percent; but only 55 percent of Democrats agreed.
- Is Social Security “socialism?” 42 percent of Democrats said yes, but only 27 percent of Republicans agreed."
15 comments:
Socialism is that which builds interstate highways. It provides public schools, and old age insurance. It's workers compensation. It's what defends our nation. It's what brought electricity to rural America. It ensures (to the extent that they are) that our markets treat all favorably. Socialism is where our health care comes from.
--Hiram
I disagree.
To me Electricity, Interstates, K-12 Education, national defense and world peace are all investments that have huge long term paybacks.
Workman's compensation is paid for by employers as part of their compensation.
Where as Medicare, Medicaid, SS, SSD, SNAP and other programs are "welfare" / socialistic in nature.
Sure, but it's a socialist form of investment. Capitalism doesn't pay for them.
--Hiram
I think there are many stages between Capitalism and Socialism...
Socialism:
any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property
b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3 : a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done
It's a vague term. But it's the Republicans who have been throwing it around for the last hundred years, and it's suffered a great deal of wear and tear as a result. So instead of shrinking from the mean word in fear, let's actually take a look at what Republicans have called socialism. Let's, for example, break out that wonderful recording from Ronald Reagan equating what was to become Medicare with Socialism.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bejdhs3jGyw
It really is so gosh darn easy to disguise a medical program as an humanitarian project. I wonder why that is.
--Hiram
Hiram's Link / Video
That was an excellent recording.
No wonder people liked Reagan.
All those years giving speeches for GE. But to a political geek like me. But I also recommend his famous speech on behalf of Goldwater. How do you think it looks in retrospect? How much of it even makes sense?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoObph3ZrT4
--Hiram
Reagan regarding Goldwater
It sounds a lot like today...
The arguments against excessive government control and socialism seem pretty consistent.
This is an interesting piece regarding Goldwater
The arguments against excessive government control and socialism seem pretty consistent.
We loosened regulation of airplanes and they started crashing. Are crashing 737's a price we are willing to pay for freedom?
--Hiram
Actually the FAA still had over sight and approval authority.
And I assume that was during the Obama years.
The reality is that when developing and testing complex machines, things sometimes get missed. That is why they run so many test hours.
Since the 2 crashes were in third world countries, I assume a lack or training and experience were big factors.
Actually the FAA still had over sight and approval authority.
But they took Boeing's word for it, and so planes crashed.
--Hiram
As I said before...
Problems occur when designing complicated machines and systems.
No amount of regulation and over sight can stop that.
Please remember the catastrophes only occurred in 3rd world countries.
Apparently the other pilots knew enough to shutoff a failing system.
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