Why are Americans so afraid of Socialism?

Question

Corruption is tolerated because it's based in capitalism, but Euro-Socialism freaks people out. Why is that?

Answer 1

Because they don't understand what it is. The American population has been mislead by having it linked to communism which is far from the truth. Socialism is based on a democratic society, a society that believes in the welfare of it's citizenry.
Several countries have socialist gov'ts. Follow Sweden for example.

Some of the programs for people in the U.S. are socialist based such as welfare,unemployment insurance, free health care for the poor, child care etc.

Answer 2

I think you need to rethink your premise. In fact, corruption, either public or private, is not well tolerated here. Lots of people end up going to jail because they violate their fiduciary duty. Ken Lay an extremely wealthy and powerful man just missed going to jail. etc. Bill Clinton was the only admitted felon ever to be president and he lost his license to practice law.

Corruption is much more tolerated in socialist countries. For example the head of East Germany stealing 100 Billion dollars from the East German people. Or Kim Jung Il, the president of North Korea living a life of luxury while his people starve.

Socialism, European or otherwise, is nothing more than repackaged oppression. It does not matter if it is a King or a "Party" telling the people "I will take care of you." It is the same old repressive stuff.

What is truly revolutionary is the thought that... You are able to take care of yourself! Enjoy your freedom. Not everyone has it.

Answer 3

Because socialism only works in small groups. Socialism for an entire country (especially a large populated country) becomes bloated by buracracy and benefit administration. If you think we have waste, fraud, and corruption with the government we have you should really look at a country like France. France proves my point in spades.

And it's socialist type programs that will wreck the US budget in the near future. They have already accounted for the majority of the national debt prior to Bush to the tune of 6 trillion dollars.

Answer 4

Because socialism is the antithesis of freedom, which is what this country was founded on. Granted, we are not nearly as free as we used to be, but we are still one of the most free nations on earth.

Socialism is a system where the government controls everything, nearly unlimited government. If you read the U.S. Constitution, it is the definition of LIMITED government. In other words, socialism is unconstitutional. Unfortunately, we have had a long progression of bad Supreme Courts, Congresses, and Presidents that have ignored this and instituted many socialist programs.

Still many of us continue to fight to presever our freedoms and retake some we have lost. It would be nice to see more Europeans fight for their own freedom.

Answer 5

First, socialism is system where individual or private corporate enterprise is discouraged. Every enterprise must be governmental. Americans who operate under capitalism would not gain much profit in this system.
Second, Marx, the originator of socialism said that capitalism is dying and would undergo a violent revolution to communism. Well, revolutions are what US are against to maintain its status

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Answer 6

We do not like having to depend upon the government for any product which has been nationalized. We believe in radical individualism. Also, the government's manufacturing someting usurps and economic oppurtunity (empowerment) from a citizen who could have invested in the manufacture. The profit from such a venture would have been spent and respend throughout the economy spurring economic growth. Read about the marginal propensity to produce. This will explain the phenomenon that I mentioned to you more clearly.
In short, profits are reinvested in another business, which in turn reinvests its profits, which in turn invests its profits, and so on and so on.

Answer 7

Since when does "failure to embrace" constitute fear?

Americans are a very practical people, isn't it possible that as a people we have looked past the intentions of socialism and observed it's actual effects? That we have seen the greater productivity of capitalism and simply chosen that which we would prefer.

Answer 8

I do not need approval from my government to move to another state. I can purchase the type of car I want. I can say what I want about the government without fear of reprisals. If I so choose I can better my lifestyle through education, or choose to live as a pauper in the street. Every government is corrupt, don't you know that?

Answer 9

We perceive Socialism as a form of Communism, a Communism lite, if you will. Considering the horrors suffered under the likes of Mao and Stalin, to name a few, we have an aversion of such a form of government.

Answer 10

you should quite artwork on your grammar.... anyhow, the question in itself is an effective one. Is u.s. petrified of Socialism? Judging by technique of many comments on Yahoo! solutions, you could still actual recommend an argument of sure. in spite of the indisputable fact that, I doubt it truly is authentic. many of the individuals that appeared scared or what "worried" about u.s. starting to be a "socialist usa" purely do no longer understand a lot about socialism in any respect. those human beings take charges from Marx or base their beliefs on no longer some thing different then a Wikipedia placed up, both one in each and every of it truly is better in many circumstances then no longer, misinterpreted. Socialism isn't a huge undesirable entity that should be prevented in any respect expenditures. in my view may I ever vote for the NDP (you stated your Canadian, so that you ought to have a information of the political activities and their ideologies...)? No. Many vocals have very valid factors that socialism can bankrupt a rustic. too a lot of it it is. Socialism, like Conservatism and Liberalism, is purely yet another ideology. like quite a few ideologies, it has its advantages and its faults. to assert that maximum present day day socialists are after a Vladimir Lenin style Coup D'Etat is not purely illogical yet very ignorant. There are exceptions for sure. you do not bypass balloting for the Communist celebration Of Canada and anticipate it to tutor out properly. The NDP in spite of the indisputable fact that, on the assessment, is specially after redistribution of wealth. Taking from the wealthy and giving better to the detrimental in maximum ordinary words. Jack Layton received't change into the subsequent Josef Stalin if elected accurate Minister, i am going to assure it both by potential of common sense and remark and using precise provisions set contained in the type of the Canadian authorities combating it from happening. Likewise, Obama received't change into the subsequent international dictator. in short, human beings in u.s. do not concern socialism. it is only after all, an ideology. they're purely worried about their authorities going contained in the alternative route of their pastimes. Others, as a lot as no one likes to confess it, are ignorant.