why americans accept socialism?

Question

if your employer provides you with health insurance, it is deductble from income tax. if you show a little individualism and provide yourself your own health insurance, it is not deductible. why is that? why does the government promote dependence on the government and why are americans so accepting and complacent towards it (among many other things)?

Answer 1

I think Americans accept these socialist policies because the results are hidden inside their paychecks. They only see their net pay, and do not pay any attention to their pre and post tax deductions. I have often wondered how Americans would react if instead of having income taxes taken directly out of their paychecks, they actually had to write a check to the government every month or one a year for taxes due. Once people saw how much they actually pay in taxes I wonder how they would react?

And if you think corporate/Government sponsored Healthcare is bad, think about Social Security.

Social Security is nothing but a legitimized pyramid scheme that is only legal because the Government runs it. Could you image if a group of people set up a financial program that required you to donate 6.2% of your wages into an "investment" fund; however, these contributions are not earmarked for your retirement, but given to others. Moreover, if you experience any hardship in life you cannot withdraw any of these contribution; and if you die before you retire none of this money can be inherited by your grown children or grandchildren. And oh, by the way, in order for you to receive payments for your contributions the number of participants in this fund has to grow exponentially. Meanwhile, whenever the fund manager sees fit he can take money deposited in this fund and use it to pay for unrelated expenses and other programs the fund manger runs. And over and above this, even if the number of contributors does grow at a solvent rate, you can only expect to receive about a 2% return on your lifetime of investment.

If this were an investment fund you would be interested in it? And if someone actually did construct an investment fund using these guidelines, how fast would the fund manager be sent to prison for fraud?


Ricky T do actually think whatever misunderstands the tax code. For those of us, who have not setup our own corporations, whatever's statement is absolutely correct. You can only deduct medical expenses from your taxes if the expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, see link below. Which generally speaking you will not exceed by paying for your own medical insurance. Therefore, I do not know what you are talking about.

Rocky, have you actually lived in a country with socialized medicine. I lived in Canada for 2 1/2 years. If you think the socialized medicine systems in Canada are the UK are so great why don't you try having an operation in either of those countries. You will end up waiting months for critical operations, and years for operations that they consider "non-critical" like hip replacement surgery. I hope you enjoy being rolled around in a wheelchair for two and half years with chronic joint pain until your operation. That's some quality of life you will enjoy! Oh, and try getting kidney dialysis after age 65 in the UK, most likely you will not be able to.

People always like to tout the great "advantages" of socialized medicine, but they never talk about the huge drawbacks of it, especially for those who are truly sick and requires serious medical procedures and not the simple, routine care that most people require.

Steve C, health coverage cost for employer sponsored health plans are deducted from your paycheck as pre-tax contributions, so they are deducted from your taxes since you do not pay taxes on money used to pay for these health plans. Please take time to at lease look at your paycheck to understand this. God, if more Americans actually looked at their paychecks the government would not be able to get away with half of the nonsense they have done for the past 70 years!

Bert T, I agree with you it would be hypocritical for true conservatives or libertarians to NOT disagree Schwarzenegger's universal health plan, which is why I disagree with it.

However, Bert T, you are wrong about when the Republicans took control of Congress. They took control in 1994 not 1986. They were in power for 12 years not 20, see the link below. Had the Republican had control of Congress when Reagan was President in 1986 the country would be in a lot better shape than it is today!

Answer 2

We have some socialistic ideals - Public education - What has that gotten us. SSI - Promises made and broken - System on brink of collapse, unless more money infused in system. Medicare/caid - doctors starting to refuse patients because of repayment schedules. Mired in red/bureaucratic red tape, government already deciding what doctors can and cannot do. Everytime a socially liberal idea is tried, the government blows it way out of proportion and miss manages it. Hawaii had mandatory health coverage for children - 7 months later they are talking about repealing it - Hawaii can't afford it. Canada's program cost per person is high, and they send people to the US for health care. Even the architect of the system says it is in trouble. And to be honest with you. If the government would clean up their own mess, bring spending under control, reign in the bureaucracies, The federal government would probably have more than enough money to try things without demanding more from the populace. And finally, why do we have to be like everybody else in the world. We are not like everybody else. The US is unique. And it worked, until politicians got in and try meddling in places they shouldn't have

Answer 3

Many people are in denial. They think that they government is here to make their lives easier, and are more willing to just let Uncle Sam take care of things like health care, retirement funds and educating our kids. And the government loves it! The more dependent we are on our government, the more they can take (taxes) with less complaining. Eventually we will become a dictatorship.

Answer 4

Hmmm do you mean why does the REPUBLICAN Government promote dependence on the REPUBLICAN Government? No idea, I thought that was what they always accused DEMOCRATS of doing, promoting Socialism in America. I see it all the time in YA. Apparently voting Democrat means you want Russia to take over the US, although the Repubs who say this never explain exactly WHY a liberal would want Russia in charge over here...

Makes you wonder why they arent saying anything about CA Governor Schwarzennegger's (REPUBLICAN) plan for Universal (REPUBLICAN) Healthcare, which will include the children of Illegal Immigrants (AND REPUBLICANS), sure sounds like SOCIALIZED (REPUBLICAN) MEDICINE TO ME (A REPUBLICAN).
It also seemed to look that way to Republicans in the 90s when Hillary Clinton, as First Lady, made it her goal to introduce Universal Healthcare to the COUNTRY, she was called a communist by Repubs for her efforts. But strangely nothing about Arnie... why is that?

Answer 5

Since when is employer-provided health insurance deductible from your income tax?

Answer 6

Bush has now come up with a plan where if you buy your own health care you will be entitled to a small tax discount - but if your employer provides it for you - you will be obligated to pay taxes on it to the government.

Thanks Bush! He is always thinking of screwing the middle and lower classes in order to benefit his cronies and his campaign supporters!

Answer 7

Good question. I do not think Americans are so "accepting" of it, I just think they are being "duped" by the government and have NO IDEA.

"Those who seek absolute power, even though they seek it to do what they regard as good, are simply demanding the right to enforce their own version of heaven on earth. And let me remind you, they are the very ones who always create the most hellish tyrannies. Absolute power does corrupt, and those who seek it must be suspect and must be opposed. Their mistaken course stems from false notions of equality, ladies and gentlemen. Equality, rightly understood, as our founding fathers understood it, leads to liberty and to the emancipation of creative differences. Wrongly understood, as it has been so tragically in our time, it leads first to conformity and then to despotism."
-- Barry Goldwater

Answer 8

Because FDR started it all to get us out of the depression as a tempory fix.
and like so many other temp fixes it grew into a beruacratic monster.
Now it is almost imposable to get along without any social assistance.,
Thank you Dems.
Vote agenst the Dems and gain our country back

Answer 9

No, I would say incorporate yourself and deduct everything like the rest of the business do. Those are the rules...play the game.

Answer 10

Americans sit back and accept a lot of things. Corrupt leaders and government especially.