Defining Capitalism and Socialism

[WickedLou9]

Originally Posted by thewise1

Not for those of us who love to build things (and profit from our work)

It depends on your values. On a societal level, if a pure socialist society were actually possible, there would be no poverty,there would be no or very very little crime, everyone would have housing, health care, retirement, etc. the overall benefit would be much much higher than the cost. yes some freedoms are lost in this system. but there are costs to a capitalist system as well.

But like 7690 said, a pure and perfect socialist society simply isn't possible and this is really a fantasy world. it's not even worth talking about it.

[thewise1]

Originally Posted by WickedLou9

It depends on your values. On a societal level, if a pure socialist society were actually possible, there would be no poverty,there would be no or very very little crime, everyone would have housing, health care, retirement, etc. the overall benefit would be much much higher than the cost. yes some freedoms are lost in this system. but there are costs to a capitalist system as well.

But like 7690 said, a pure and perfect socialist society simply isn't possible and this is really a fantasy world. it's not even worth talking about it.

Well, I can agree there at least.

[kinggovernor]

Originally Posted by WickedLou9

It depends on your values. On a societal level, if a pure socialist society were actually possible, there would be no poverty,there would be no or very very little crime, everyone would have housing, health care, retirement, etc. the overall benefit would be much much higher than the cost. yes some freedoms are lost in this system. but there are costs to a capitalist system as well.

But like 7690 said, a pure and perfect socialist society simply isn't possible and this is really a fantasy world. it's not even worth talking about it.

socialism can exist successfully on small levels of government, like a household, extended family, religious group or section of a town. But nationwide, never.

[Angus_Aboot]

Originally Posted by WickedLou9

It depends on your values. On a societal level, if a pure socialist society were actually possible, there would be no poverty,there would be no or very very little crime, everyone would have housing, health care, retirement, etc. the overall benefit would be much much higher than the cost. yes some freedoms are lost in this system. but there are costs to a capitalist system as well.

If freedoms are lost then the benefit is lower than the cost.

[nbiggershaft]

Originally Posted by thewise1

Not for those of us who love to build things (and profit from our work)

Devil's advocate, but in a very well oiled socialism you would be able to build whatever you want and profit from your work, you would just lose a decent chunk of the profits, which is not that far off the American system as it is. In a communism you wouldn't be able to directly benefit from your work.

[commie pinko]

Why even discuss socialism when all the US needs is socially responsible capitalism? Look to Canada for some lessons and do it soon because the extremist brand of capitalsim in the US is destroying your country. It's a simple message which too many Americans just aren't getting yet. If they don't get it before their upcoming election their country could be in for some big trouble.

A read on Will Hutton's, 'A Declaration of Interdependence' is a good start for those who want to understand.

[commie pinko]

Why bother talking about socialism when all that is needed in the US is socially responsible capitalism. The brand of capitalism the US practices is failing and the American people better come to their senses before the upcoming election or they suffer some very serious consequences. Look to Canada for some good examples of socially responsible capitalism.

And a good book to read to begin with is Will Hutton's, 'A Declaration of Interdependence'.

[commie pinko]

What's with the format of this forum. You don't know if what you tried to post even goes up?

[commie pinko]

Why bother talking about socialism when all that is needed in the US is socially responsible capitalism. The brand of capitalism the US practices is failing and the American people better come to their senses before the upcoming election or they suffer some very serious consequences. Look to Canada for some good examples of socially responsible capitalism.

And a good book to read to begin with is Will Hutton's, 'A Declaration of Interdependence'.

[Angus_Aboot]

Originally Posted by commie pinko

Why bother talking about socialism when all that is needed in the US is socially responsible capitalism.

What is "socially responsible capitalism?"

Originally Posted by commie pinko

The brand of capitalism the US practices is failing and the American people better come to their senses before the upcoming election or they suffer some very serious consequences.

What brand of capitalism does the U.S. practice?
Who in the upcoming election is going to "fix" the situation?

Originally Posted by commie pinko

Look to Canada for some good examples of socially responsible capitalism.

Look to Canada for a disturbing record of social engineering, centralization, regulation, favoritism, mismanagement, inflation, wealth re-distribution, and every other creation of social democracy.

[WickedLou9]

Originally Posted by Angus_Aboot

If freedoms are lost then the benefit is lower than the cost.

thats a matter of opinion.

[Angus_Aboot]

Originally Posted by WickedLou9

thats a matter of opinion.

Yes, as was, "the overall benefit would be much much higher than the cost."

[commie pinko]

Originally Posted by Angus_Aboot

What is "socially responsible capitalism?"

It's capitalism which is socially responsible to the people it serves. Do you want to know more or do you want to continue your downward spiral? You've already descended to 10th. in standard of living. Do you want to know why or is it unimportant to you?

What brand of capitalism does the U.S. practice?

Capitalism which serves the wealty and leaves out most of the people. Your income disparity is one of the leading causes of your decline in standing compared to the rest of the world. Are you happy with that or do you want to fix it.

Who in the upcoming election is going to "fix" the situation?

You need to force whoever becomes your next president to 'fix' it. Obama just may be the best choice but he's going to have to have the people behind him when the dirty politics start. America needs to learn to rise above the dirt and start to do what's right. Do you really even care yet?

Look to Canada for a disturbing record of social engineering, centralization, regulation, favoritism, mismanagement, inflation, wealth re-distribution, and every other creation of social democracy.

Or look to any of the other leading countries in the world that are leaving you behind. Or are you happy with #10 and heading downward?

This is not just an America bashing session, even though it's necessary to do some bashing to wake you people up. Are you ready to look at some facts and some possible solutions. The solutions can be quite obvious when a comparison is made with the leading countries.

[Angus_Aboot]

Originally Posted by commie pinko

It's capitalism which is socially responsible to the people it serves. Do you want to know more or do you want to continue your downward spiral? You've already descended to 10th. in standard of living. Do you want to know why or is it unimportant to you?

That's some explanation - using the same words and all.
Please continue.

Originally Posted by commie pinko

Capitalism which serves the wealty and leaves out most of the people. Your income disparity is one of the leading causes of your decline in standing compared to the rest of the world. Are you happy with that or do you want to fix it.

"Your income disparity?"
You and I have the same income disparity. And we (Canadians) have been on a decline ever since we really started those various social democracy schemes.

Originally Posted by commie pinko

You need to force whoever becomes your next president to 'fix' it. Obama just may be the best choice but he's going to have to have the people behind him when the dirty politics start. America needs to learn to rise above the dirt and start to do what's right. Do you really even care yet?

I care enough to realize Obama's economic plans are stupid and dangerous - never mind unethical.

Originally Posted by commie pinko

Or look to any of the other leading countries in the world that are leaving you behind. Or are you happy with #10 and heading downward?

What exactly are leading countries? Also, please don't explain them as "countries that lead."
And what list are you referring to where the U.S. is #10?

Originally Posted by commie pinko

This is not just an America bashing session, even though it's necessary to do some bashing to wake you people up. Are you ready to look at some facts and some possible solutions. The solutions can be quite obvious when a comparison is made with the leading countries.

Perhaps you should take the time to look at our own country, and stop smugly looking down your nose at America, and stop defending our disgusting system and an ever declining standard of living.

[commie pinko]

O.K. angus, if you're Canadian then I don't want to try to educate you. Suffice to say that we have slipped a little since the cons have taken over. It's the Americans I want to help out here. I'll get you people all the stats when I get the time. Nobody's going anywhere for a while.

[Angus_Aboot]

Originally Posted by commie pinko

O.K. angus, if you're Canadian then I don't want to try to educate you.

What do you have against Canadians now?

Originally Posted by commie pinko

Suffice to say that we have slipped a little since the cons have taken over.

Wait, aren't you a con?

Originally Posted by commie pinko

It's the Americans I want to help out here. I'll get you people all the stats when I get the time. Nobody's going anywhere for a while.

From what I've read so far, your positions aren't going to help anyone.

[RMNIXON]

Originally Posted by kombayn

Socialism = SUCKS!

Yes, it certainly does. But that never keeps some people from trying it over and over again like a very bad habit.

[commie pinko]

I've decided to open a new thread on 'The Standard of Living in the US'.

Angus and others see there for an explanation to begin with.