Is Socialism Un-American?

[Delator]

Given that one of our founding ideals is supposed to be the freedom to express our ideas, there are few, if any, ideologies I would consider to be "un-american"

...ugh, I feel dirty just typing "un-american", such a fucking tired cliche.

[Hairless Kitten II]

It is rather stupid to define all ideas and concepts of the left as wrong & dangerous.

I’m a liberal but I would not like the following:

• The government doesn’t finance schools & universities anymore, only if you can afford it, you will get an education.
• You have to take care of your own healthcare. The government will not pay a dime anymore.
• Retirement cheques? Forget it, save your own money
• Unemployment cheques? Forget it even more, lazy bastard
• The police will be replaced by private police that only will protect the people that can afford it.
• …

The opposite of some of these issues are claimed by the left but aren’t they universal in a modern developed society?

[Ryadn]

Nope, someone should tell that guy about the Public School system, Welfare, Medicare/Medicaid, etc...

Socialism is as American as Mom and Apple Pie,

...they get shared by everyone?

[Risottia]

[Kogler]

Socialism is a great system - for people who can't or wont think for themselves and wants the govenment to "take care of them".

The United States of America was NOT founded on the tenants of socialism.

It is Un-American.

Then why does the U.S. Constitution give the Federal Government the power to regulate interstate and foreign commerece?

Don't know - do you? And what does "regulate(ing) interstate and foreign COMMERCE" have anything to do with the topic of socialism being un-American?

[Kilobugya]

Let me see... what are the countries trying to achieve socialism... Cuba, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Nicargua... No, Socialism is definitely American. All of them are American countries.

[Dimoniquid]

No. Socialism is French, cause they have no rules, and Dictatorship is German, because they have too many rules! Heh heh... Al Murry... awesome.

[Conservatives states]

Nah, Socialism is pretty universal for all countries. It's the reason they all end up so shitty , America is no exception.

Nice Avatar






But seriously, Socialism is perfectly American. "Equality" is the key world I take from it.

MOD EDIT - image removed.

It's funny how a statist's argument either boils down to mindless dribble, or attacking the other persons belief with pictures, or some witty saying. Honestly, I don't expect much on NS, I've always been in the minority . But seriously, if you want government control be honest about it, it's not because it's better, it's because it's safer.

[Soheran]

But do you think Socialism is Un-American?

Obviously it is not in accordance with the specific prescriptions of mainstream American political movements. But it is the best social and economic expression of freedom and equality, which certainly are American ideals. And "anti-capitalism" conceived of as workers owning their own means of production is as American as apple pie, though obviously it has faded in prominence once the dominance of industrial capitalism was firmly established.

[Soheran]

But seriously, if you want government control be honest about it, it's not because it's better, it's because it's safer.

It's true, I think socialism would probably offer better economic security than capitalism... but insofar as it makes us more secure, I'm not sure how it is not better.

Leaving aside all the various other reasons for preferring socialism that your straw man wishes to ignore, it seems to me perfectly reasonable to say "I am willing to replace a more dynamic and efficient economic system with one that has lower output but greater economic security." Why on Earth should "more stuff" necessarily outweigh "stuff I can rely on"?

Or do you mean that we are engaged in sacrificing "freedom" for "security"? But even if "economic freedom" were not a purely ideological creation, devoid of any real importance, it would still remain the case that we have a case of balancing: "freedom from being unemployed/lacking health insurance/falling into poverty" versus "freedom to be unregulated in one's economic activity." And, again, even on the view that economic freedom has some value, it is not clear to me why its value should necessarily trump the countervailing value of economic security.

[Sibirsky]

yes

Obama is Un-American.

Correct. How else do you explain this

[Ravea]

Our public fire and police stations and schools seem to say that Socialism is perfectly American.

[Flameswroth]

What is 'American' is what Americans want to be 'American'...or what the people Americans elect to rule decide is 'American'.

Socialism hasn't been 'American' in the past, but it might be in the near future.

[United Technocrats]

of course it is. If you're not rich and can't afford to live here you should go somewhere else, why should everyone have the chance to achieve what the wealthiest have?

Yeah, one should get his PhD in a socialist country for free, then go get a decent and well paid job in the States...

[Maerngau]

Nazi Germany was Fascist, ergo, Socialist. That state was not a failure in any regard, save for its ethics.

MINDBLOWING ignorance or historical revisionism.

WHY do people keep repeating this disinformation?

The only thing that modern socialists have in common with the Nazis is the word "socialist" in the name. Which is apparently enough to confuse the best and the brightest of the current GOP.

[Trippoli]

Added Anarchy.

[Thethunderdome]

I like how the options are "Socialism is evil!" and "A moderate amount of socialism is good." Obviously socialism to some degree is necessary, even if it is a tiny one. Thusly the poll is skewed because moderates and socialists will vote for that option, while only extremely hardcore capitalists will vote for the top option. Socialism is bound to win on your poll.

just sayin.

edited because there is no "pole"

[DaWoad]

Facism=/= socialism. In fact Facism is the farthest point on the spectrum AWAY from socialism being both dominated by a single party and being economically conservative(free market) whereas socialism tends to dominated by multi-party ideals as well as being economically liberal (government regualtion of the market . . .sortof).

[DaWoad]

yes

Obama is Un-American.

Correct. How else do you explain this

um why does everyone have their hand over their left lung?

[The Rich Port]

I don't get what the big deal is: it's not like Capitalism did anything for America.

[Thethunderdome]

I don't get what the big deal is: it's not like Capitalism did anything for America.

Arguably the most ignorant statement of this thread.

[Aelosia]

yes

Obama is Un-American.

Correct. How else do you explain this

Explanations:

1.- He was tired. Specially in his arms.

2.- He was suddenly distracted.

3.- He lowered his hand for like 10 seconds.

4.- He just forgot to put his hand over there.

5.- He doesn't consider the gesture significant enough

However, you did pick up the most rational one, he did it on purpose to show everyone, specially people that are in your line of thought, that he is not american, and he doesn't care about the country he is president of.

Have you ever seen the movie "Joan of Arc"? I hope you never find a sword in a wheat field.

[Kogler]

I don't get what the big deal is: it's not like Capitalism did anything for America.

Arguably the most ignorant statement of this thread.

Agreed. Mind-numbingly ignorant. In fact, in reading the threads here there seems to be quite a few minds full of mush, kool-aid drinkers, "fellow travelers" and children posting on this topic.

Capitalism has allowed the US to become the superpower it is today.

NOT socialism OR communism OR fascism.....

[Surote]

I don't get what the big deal is: it's not like Capitalism did anything for America.

Arguably the most ignorant statement of this thread.

Agreed. Mind-numbingly ignorant. In fact, in reading the threads here there seems to be quite a few minds full of mush, kool-aid drinkers, "fellow travelers" and children posting on this topic.

Capitalism has allowed the US to become the superpower it is today.

NOT socialism OR communism OR fascism.....

Europe and russia are pretty powerful so is china and japan there way ahead of us

[Surote]

yes

Obama is Un-American.

Correct. How else do you explain this

Explanations:

1.- He was tired. Specially in his arms.

2.- He was suddenly distracted.

3.- He lowered his hand for like 10 seconds.


I don't put my hand over my heart during a national anthem sometimes I don't believe it's nesscary.
4.- He just forgot to put his hand over there.

5.- He doesn't consider the gesture significant enough

However, you did pick up the most rational one, he did it on purpose to show everyone, specially people that are in your line of thought, that he is not american, and he doesn't care about the country he is president of.

Have you ever seen the movie "Joan of Arc"? I hope you never find a sword in a wheat field.

I don't put my hand over my heart sometimes I don't believe it nessecary