I have always wondered how its possible a democracy as old as America doesn't have universal health care, universal free education and universal state house for all who need it. and not a minimum wage, but a living wage for those unskilled people in society.
Dont you think that these type of things are signs of a mature democracy? if so, why doesen't America have these things, and dont tell me about little programs going on here and there, I mean this is something that should be the very spearhead of American democracy as we enter the 21st century...or not? what do you think?
2006-07-17 16:25:34 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Government
I am truly SHOCKED at all these answers! have a look at Australia, Sweden and Norway who have such great social systems and also are great places to live, with minimal poverty!
2006-07-18 15:09:46 · update #1
Mature in a Geritol kind of way. The older a democracy gets, the less freedom it gives its citizens. When it can no longer give them freedom, it starts giving them handouts instead. This is the beginning of the end, because people with less freedom become less productive, generating less wealth for the nation as a whole. Then less wealth for the nation reduces the ability to provide free handouts, and the economy spirals down the toilet.
2006-07-17 16:42:57 · answer #1 · answered by McNeef 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think this is what Marx would have hoped for, but I think the American people also have been smart enough over the years to not tolerate equal misery for everyone. Somebody has to fund universal health care, universal “free” education, and universal housing for everyone, everybody wants their neighbor to do it for them, but they don't want to be the ones to pull money out of their own wallets to do so.
I think the solution lies in the people themselves, not the government, doing this for each other, and we are a long way away from that. But that's just human nature, and I'd rather be a citizen of a free government that allows me my own human nature rather than taking the money out of my pocket forcefully to fund its own programs. Obviously, we do have a bottom line in our society of providing some public education, welfare and Social Security programs for the indigent, and even some housing. But to provide everything for everyone, no, I don't want that. There would be no point in working if all the government was going to do was take the money I make away from me. And we have enough giving already, by corporations, by volunteers, and by charities as well as the government programs we do have in place. I'd say that's good enough, and these are already signs of a mature democracy.
2006-07-17 16:38:41 · answer #2 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have asked an interesting question and the possibilites might be many, but here's one possibility .why your question is directing at democracy..but a marxist , communist view.
Universal health care,housing ,education ,wage etc are what the communist and marxist govt's tried to do and failed... example is china... they opend up to liberalization of their policies accomdating demoractic principle of economics... market place works has made some significant reforms.
In other words everything you are asking from the govt to do as universal package is a communist idea not a prinicpal of free economics nor of free democratic institution and this very FREE Institution, out of the goodness and good conscious has done for so many with so little.
In short American Democracy works.
2006-07-17 16:43:23 · answer #3 · answered by vicek & Mrs Lajuan B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are signs of a collapsing economy. Look at Canada, with out-of-control taxes and rationed medical care.
Look at Medicare, which treatens to bring down the US economy.
Look at Britain, where people buy separate insurance coverage so that they can see quality providers without having to wait for months.
It doesn't work. Idealism is costly. And we entered the 21st century more than 5 years ago.
2006-07-17 16:30:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You must first realize that the U S is a representative republic, not a democracy. If we were a democracy the majority would rule and that would be chaotic as the majority would nullify the rights of the minority, being that the majority are overall ignorant of what is best for all. We must realize that the government does not "owe" us all things. Its primary purpose is to protect us from those who would harm us.
2006-07-17 16:34:22 · answer #5 · answered by gedanini3@yahoo.com 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would think so but we in the U.S. live in a neo-capitalist society that purposefully drives itself into debt so it can cut social programs. This is driven by an extreme political agenda of the mega-rich and corporate America who are running this country. Bush is their president and under him poverty has risen steadly every single year he has been in office.
2006-07-17 16:42:53 · answer #6 · answered by HelloKitty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, universal health care, universal education and universal housing are signs of Communism.
Also, gedanini3 hit it right on the head. Thank God for our beautiful Republic!
2006-07-17 16:38:59 · answer #7 · answered by libertyu9 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No they are a sign of communism/socialism.
2006-07-17 16:51:06 · answer #8 · answered by cashcobra_99 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no
its a sign the people are using their government to rob others
2006-07-17 16:47:00 · answer #9 · answered by mike c 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋