How can one be a socialist, yet love america?

Question

I know I have asked this one before, but I still don't understand. Socialism takes away many rights that people have, like the right to earn money. I mean, if I am only alloted a certain amount of money, how can I actually have the freedom this country was founded on?

Answer 1

I currently live with a communist, a true Marxist, and myself, an utopiantist. My roomates and myself love the freedom to believe in whatever we choose here in America. Part of being an American is fighting for the changes you believe in. Check out some of these websites to find out more about socialism in America. Be informed! Make your own decisions! Good luck ~_^

http://www.sovereignty.net/center/socialists.htm

http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1669.html

http://www.fff.org/freedom/0490s.asp

Answer 2

Socialists can love America. The problem is that they don't see (possibly cannot see) the disconnect between high taxation and limiting freedom. Honest socialists believe (I think wrongly) that redistributing wealth will make America a better place. They think that income equality will eliminate the social ills that plague the country. My contention isn't that they don't love America (though some expressly do not) but that they are wrong about how to make it a better place. This really is the heart of the left-right battle even though some people don't realize it. There are people on both sides with bad agendas but essentially, most of us believe that what we stand for will make America a better place. Fortunately, we have numerous examples that socialism doesn't work well. Unfortunately, socialists always argue that it just wasn't done right and next time it will be better.

Answer 3

Very easily. The same way you can be whatever you are and still love this country. This is the greatest country in the world, because of our US Constitution that gives me the right to believe whatever I want to believe. If it really upsets you that much, then go watch the stockmarket until you feel better. You dont have to worry about losing your right to make as much money as you want. There, now isnt this a beautiful country???

Answer 4

I think you are confusing socialism and communism/state capitalism. If you mean socialism in the sense of a so-called welfare state, much like the Scandinavian countries, you're just wrong that it's incompatible with the US infrastructure. Socialism is just a system of higher wealth redistribution than we have with greater control over monopolies and business practices (moving more toward the unincorporated, worker owned, and coop structures and farther away from C corporations--which I would note the US is with the advent of LLP's and LLC's). I think most Americans that self- identify as socialists mean more like the Canadian and Scandinavian systems: universal or single payer health care systems, altering the tax structure (doing things like increasing capital gains taxes and closing loop holes in corporate taxation, more restrictions on the use of tax shelters, etc), lowering the costs of University education with greater public funding, etc. You can love something and think it can be improved. In fact, I think it shows more commitment to work to improve a system than to just accept it.

Answer 5

Good to know I'm not the only one puzzled by this. No to national ID card because Big Brother will be in my business but let's get national health care so BB will know all my health issues. Free speech but only if it's political correct. Equal rights but only if extra benefits are given to everyone but a white male. Tax the rich more to give to the poor and that will help the middle class how? Whole agenda makes me wonder what they are smoking...oppps forgot that's not allowed in privately or public places either. Skip socialism it's sliding right to communism.

Answer 6

I don't see how you can reconcile the two. This country is a representative democratic republic, the Constitution guarantees people - not the government - certain rights.

A social government requires that the 'rights of the group', i.e., the "government", have to be superior to the individual. The group is always more important than the individual, which is contradictory to our Constitution.

Answer 7

it's not posible