Does it make me anti-american?
2006-12-13 11:12:17 · 15 answers · asked by Assad 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
It is not a bad thing, just very misguided, and may I add, rather selfish. I actually believe selfishness is a virtue, that selfishness, when properly channeled, produces the greatest prosperity for all. However, you are being selfish in the wrong way, in my opinion. Every socialist I have ever known believes in socialism for the sole reason that they think it will result in a better deal for them personally. However, what happens when you restrict the enthusiasm of others around you for improving their own lives, and confiscate what they do produce for the good of the whole, then everyone winds up equally poor. So everyone is equal, and everyone is poor. Is that really what you want?
This concept was beautifully illustrated by the early Mayflower settlers is Massachusetts in 1620. The first year the colony had a communal farming plot that all were supposed to help in the work. The plot was a miserable failure and that following winter they all nearly starved, if it weren't for the generosity of the local Indians. The second year, William Bradford divided the plot up into small parcels, and assigned them individually to each family or couple. Guess what? That fall there was a bountiful harvest and they even had extra to give to the local Indians.
There is a book I read many years ago called "The Tragedy of the Commons". It basically says that resources that are held in common are usually squandered or pilfered by those with the most power, but resources that are held individually are usually saved and preserved and utilized efficiently. I couldn't have said it better myself.
Finally, I would like to point out that socialism is not possible without a huge, overbearing, power-mongering government, since that is the only way to keep people from doing what comes natural, i.e, keeping the fruits of their own labors for themselves (as horrible as that sounds to someone like you). Do you really want to live in such a police state? They used to say that 50% of the people in the old Soviet Union were employed in the very difficult task of seeing to it that the other 50% did not abuse the system. What a prescription for universal poverty! Just compare North Korea with South Korea if you don't believe me. I am sure you will agree that North Korea has got it right, and the south is over run with nasty, greedy self-centered capitalists, right? I thought you would think so.
2006-12-13 12:01:53 · answer #1 · answered by thomas f 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope. There is a very long and honorable socialist tradition, Eugene V. Debs, even Helen Keller. Unfortunately, most Americans are terribly ignorant about what socialism is, and confuse it with general government control and bureaucracy per se, which the very non-Socialist Bush government excells at. Homeland Security? FEMA? Socialists actually came up with some of the better ideas, like Kindergarten and Social Security.
2006-12-13 11:55:00 · answer #2 · answered by silverside 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't think it does... in fact, I think those are the most pure and ideal Americans... you don't want to work for money or your own pride, but only for America and making America stronger... in a perfect world, working to make America better would be more motivation than mere money or goods, those are only base needs and serve no real purpose beyond yourself... but we are FAR from being to a point where we can do that as a society...
and there are varying degrees of socialism... like Sweden for instance... where the poverty levels are very low, but there are still some wealthy individuals that have more than others to maintain the competitive spirit that many need and have to have... taxes are high, but they have results...
2006-12-13 11:30:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, America was founded as a FREE country. So to belive in something that tells people how to spend their money, etc. Is ANTI-FREE, therefore making it Anti-American.
It doesn't mean your against America, it just means your against American believes and principles.
2006-12-13 12:16:11 · answer #4 · answered by mr_sizzelin 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No it does not make you a bad person but socialism is a very bad idea.
2006-12-13 11:16:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
First give everything you own (and I mean everything) to the first stranger you come across.
Next, get a job. Give all the money you earn to that same stranger and ask them to feed, clothe and shelter you.
How do you like socialism now?
2006-12-13 11:21:13 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just what do you believe about socialism. I think yes, I don't want to share my wealth with everyone. To be American is to achieve more. to have more than your neighbor to set goals and surpass them. To have everyone equal in wealth would rob a person of trying to achieve more. You would end up with apathy and a bunch of underachievers. All attempts of socialism have failed.
2006-12-13 11:19:33 · answer #7 · answered by Chuck C 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
only check out what Marxism has performed in words of consequences really than rhetoric and that i imagine you'll agree it hasn't had a reliable list in economic, political or social words. Utopia is a rather theory although this is magical questioning. It would not paintings in the genuine international. the U.S. did a very good job at demonstrating this.
2016-10-18 06:19:43 · answer #8 · answered by rybicki 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO, it just makes you a Democrat.
Move to North Korea and see how well you like it.
2006-12-13 11:17:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think it is bad. In theory it seems to be okay, but in practice it does not work. -see Soviet Union, China, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela.
2006-12-13 11:22:52 · answer #10 · answered by lotstodo 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋