Democratic Socialism - The Future of Our Country?

#76
#76
Vol8188 said:
How are you defining “largely socialist”
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The government provides extensive social services like free education and healthcare, funded by high taxes.

That's socialism eh.

And the country is ruled by the people. That's a democracy.
 
#77
#77
MontyPython said:
The government provides extensive social services like free education and healthcare, funded by high taxes.

That's socialism eh.

And the country is ruled by the people. That's a democracy.
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Taxes are for basic service and infrastructure. That’s not socialism. We just went off the rails a long time ago when being a politician became a full time “job.”
 
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#79
#79
C-south said:
Taxes are for basic service and infrastructure. That’s not socialism. We just went off the rails a long time ago when being a politician became a full time “job.”
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Wut? If your taxes support the education and healthcare of your neighbors, that's Socialism 101 brother.
 
#81
#81
MontyPython said:
The government provides extensive social services like free education and healthcare, funded by high taxes.

That's socialism eh.

And the country is ruled by the people. That's a democracy.
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We provide extensive social services. We do so without taxing our poor and working class to the extent of those countries.
 
#88
#88
BeardedVol said:
So you're saying that there is no declaration in the Constitution that states that taxes can only be used for "basic service and infrastructure"?
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Well you have the 16th amendment. Government can levy taxes. I suppose what they use them for is a bit debatable.
 
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#92
#92
n_huffhines said:
Because I oppose Zionists? Look at this guy who doesn't know what bigotry is

Opposing my tax dollars going to a country that mass murders innocent people and violates international law continuously for 50 years is not bigotry.
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Nothing says libertarian like supporting communist candidates and international government.
 
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#94
#94
MontyPython said:
"Socialism" largely has a dirty reputation here in the US. But is it really so bad and are we perhaps actually pre-conditioned to move towards a Democratic Socialist nation-state someday?

With the election of Zohran Mamdani (spellcheck... got it), an avowed Democratic Socialist, as the new NYC mayor, Trump's head clearly just about exploded - so now he's lobbing all sorts of threats in which the Feds can/could harm NYC (the largest city in our country). Classy Donald as always.

Anyway, I pose this question: What's so "wrong" about Democratic Socialism? Its basic premise is as follows: Strong welfare states, high taxes, and extensive public services (e.g., universal healthcare, free education, strong unions), achieved through democratic elections—not full state ownership of production (as in classic socialism).

The haves versus the have-nots here in our country... a recipe for hate, distrust and crime. And why shouldn't we have universal healthcare - are you more deserving of *living* than someone who has less money than you? Same with education... wouldn't our country be better with *smarter* people in general? Yes, methinks.

Now I get it: Your gut reaction is HIGHER TAXES... GO F YOURSELF, MP. I'm with you... kind of.

So I'm a small business owner. I feel like I work harder than your average Joe... I'm out there hustling like this Saturday morning... meeting up with potential clients and doing estimates. Why should I pay more taxes and how would this motivate me to work harder? I get it.

But here's the thing... it's not just all about money. It's about lifestyle, too. It's about living in a society that fosters HAPPINESS, right?

"Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Pretty sure somebody said that back in the day.

Take a look at the Top-10 "Happiest Countries". I've been to several of them. In fact, my mom was from one of them.
Top 10 happiest countries:
  1. Finland
  2. Denmark
  3. Iceland
  4. Sweden
  5. Israel
  6. Netherlands
  7. Norway
  8. Luxembourg
  9. Switzerland
  10. Australia
Democratic Socialist countries dominate, but not exclusively—and not because of socialism per se. Key drivers: social trust, low corruption, freedom, GDP/capita, healthy life expectancy—not welfare spending alone.

In the grand scheme of things, our big cities and the left-coast generally lead trends in our economy and our social policies. For all you California bashers, don't forget that if California were its own independent country, it'd have the 4th largest economy in the world. Fact. Regardless, with NYC electing a socialist, it begs the question: Are we moving in that direction? And for those here diametrically opposed to all things socialist, it begs the question: why?

And just one more thing... if you are morally opposed to socialism, I'm happy to receive your Social Security Benefits directly (DING DING DING... SOCIALISM). Just lemme know.
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Guess what else those countries have or don't have that figure into that "happiness"?

Also some of those countries have citizens that define getting C+ healthcare paid for free as happy, because they've never experienced better, which is why this is flawed to begin with.

If I grew up as a Louisiana Monroe football fan, and never experienced being a Tennessee fan, I would accept being 8-4 in the Sun Belt and having 22k fans in a stadium as being "happy and content" but I'd never have an actual clue how much better it is at Tennessee all the way around if I didnt experience it myself
 
#96
#96
Vol8188 said:
Saw and responded previously. Those policies are not popular. They’re widely condemned by both sides
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And yet still Republicans don't lose their minds over it, unlike any legislation that directly benefits actual citizens where they turn up the socialism fearmongering to 11.
 
#97
#97
Vol8188 said:
You believe that line meant “the government should buy me stuff”?
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I believe that it means the government can tax to provide for the "general welfare" of the united states as long as it is applied equally across the country.
 
#98
#98
MontyPython said:
No. But, universal healthcare for example is a form of wealth distribution is it not?
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Yes, but there’s different forms of wealth distribution. The wealth distribution in a socialist economy and capitalist one is completely different.
 
#99
#99
MontyPython said:
Wut? If your taxes support the education and healthcare of your neighbors, that's Socialism 101 brother.
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Its just a question of degree. One end of the spectrum is pure capitalism. No government regulation at all. Market forces define it all.

Downside is that humans don't live forever. So, people naturally value their own greed at the expense of everyone else. Pollution that will kill thousands or more? In 20 years? Thats the other guy's problem.

Other extreme is pure communism. Government owns it all. Downside is no incentive to innovate and lack of greed paying off prevents progress.

The wealthy in this country convince people that taxes and spending always leads to some form of the latter. False.

The unions convince people that allowing the owners to profit off their labor is always some form of economic slavery under the former. Also false.

Until we can balance greed amd altruism the tug of war continues..
 
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