Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Socialism: The Debate. Round One, Fight!
Well, no fighting, really. That was just for fun! Seriously though, I want to know what folks think/know about socialism. I want to hear both the think and the know. I don't want to only hear what you think if you don't know anything about it and I don't want to here a bunch of facts that could be misleading. So what do you think/know about socialism for America? Two of the Dem candidates are for soc med, and proabably other things too. How about you? I'll tell ya'll what I think/know in response to various posts.
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Here's an unconventional answer. If you study the original thinkers and developers of the socialist ideology, it's easy to discern that socialism is a counterfeit attempt at Christianity without God. Bottom line. Socialism (the ideology, not the practice of it under Lenin and Stalin, and the rest of 'em) presumes that man is essentially good and altruistic (like the secular humanists presume) and therefore, we will want to take care of one another and share. True believers in socialism thought that the government would become unnecessary as people matured into the socialist ideal. They would organize the social care and welfare of the community together independent of a centralized command center (government). So this is the foundation of socialism as an ideology. It's flawed because it does not taken into account man's fallen nature. It expects us to "love one another" without God. Not possible.
Not an expert in socialism in America, but I think you might be combining two separate ideas here. Socialism and public medical are two (although arguably) different topics. I would say that both in the American context are very controversial and very misunderstood. I say that mostly due to misinformation that is presented for profitable reasons.
Universal health-care is something that is in mainstream thinking in almost all developed nations, save America. It is very profitable for large companies and certain sectors to keep it this way. This profit does come at a cost though. And that cost is human life and well being.
Public medical, is not synonymous with socialism since many capitalist economies such as Canada, Britain, Australia, etc. have both free markets and medical that is accessible by all regardless of age, gender, or income.
I personally believe that a health care should be an inalienable human right, especially in the wealthiest nation in the world. A very interesting show on the American health care system is Sicko. Oh no! I didn't just bring up Michael Moore! :) Yes there is a lot of baggage that comes along with that name, but there are some very interesting facts as well. Check out: http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/checkup/
As far at the two dem candidates, they are for aspects of public medical. This would still look very different that universal healthcare that other developed nations enjoy.
Hey dude! Good to hear from ya! I'll look forward to some interesting stuff on this blog. Life in Seattle is good! I'll be back in Alaska for a good chunk of next year starting in June!! We still on for pot stickers some time? =)
Thank you for your comments. They are pretty thoughtful. I hadn't thought of social medicine and socialism as two different things, but from what I understand, Canadians pay a lot of taxes to support their health care. I'll have to read up on that. Though I think Michael Moore is suspicious of power to the extreme and cries 'foul' too often, I do recognize his intentions. I understand there are a lot of really messed up things in this country. Our country is supposed to care about justice, but justice and morality are pretty skewed and ill understood these days. I have to say that I am really in line with Sara's thoughts. I was thinking most of what she said before I finished reading the comment. There is a strong religious following within the realm of socialism. I even had some socialistic bent before getting my eyes opened to world view and the Bible. Ultimately, I believe the issue is with culture and not politics.
Ahhh the "Canadians pay more taxes" myth. In Canada, Canadians pay taxes on a graded scale according to their income, location, and family size. It is true that those at the top pay more than those at the top in America. Except, of course, those at the very top. Those at the very top in the US pay a very small portion of tax, leaving the heavy lifting for the middle class. Have you heard of Warren Buffet's challenge?
http://www.rockridgenation.org/blog/archive/2007/10/30/warren-buffetts-ceo-challenge
In Canada, Canadians pay for their medical insurance (its not part of taxes). The only difference is that everyone in Canada is completely covered. For example. My mother who lives in Canada pays $100 a month for full coverage. Nothing excluded and no insurance loopholes. On the other hand, my Father-in-law in America pays over $400 a month for only partial coverage and whatever other loopholes the insurance agents can find. Check out 20/20's expose on insurance companies policies.
True, Michael Moore does carry a lot of baggage, but the stats are well worth a look at.
Oops, my link got cut off...
http://www.rockridgenation.org/blog/
archive/2007/10/30/warren-buffetts-
ceo-challenge
Ok here is what I was taught about socialism all through high school and even in college. Basically it was created as a branch into communism. Carl Marx spawned off some of the ideas for it and in turn ended up writing the communist manifesto. When i hear the word socialism I think of one person (a dictator) controlling everything a certain population does. Some have said that it was created as a means to get mankind to care for each other, but you can not do that with someone dictating your actions and managing you assets. That would cause a lot of tension and burden some more than others.
In response to Brown Eyes, I have to say that it is speculation that there would need to be some person or inner group controlling everything. However, history has shown that the form of socialism practiced thus far as communism has been a totalitarian government system. Though it seems China has loosened up in many ways over the last decade, it is still an oppressive place to live where women are forced to have abortions, and many women have them until they have a boy. The cities are typically more free because that is where much of the money comes from and British influence is still felt.
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