Why are some Americans for and defend socialism?

Question

I can understand ageeing or disagreeing with the President or the war in Iraq but why be for something that goes against everything that this country was founded upon?

Jinxed- where did I mention liberal?

Lame duck- where did I mention that the hate this country?

Answer 1

It's called democracy, or are you suggesting it's only okay to speak your mind so long as you think what you're told to?

Answer 2

They have succumbed to a long and proven methodology, propaganda, propaganda that states that we need to make sacrifices for the greater good, that the individual is not capable of dealing with the many complex issues of the day, or cannot take care of themselves without the collectivist group doing it for them.

It is in fact the epitome of evil, and it looks like it is working well, the socialists control completely the democratic party, even though they represent a minority. If I were a dem I would be really po'd about it.

The article below is a great treatise about evil and socialism and how we got to where we are today. Part 5 I think is the best but you need to read the whole thing.... It is above a 10th grade level read so it will be difficult for many, but try, you need to know how evil has gained control of AMerica.

"The greatest threat to mankind and civilization is the spread of the totalitarian philosophy. Its best ally is not the devotion of its followers but the confusion of its enemies. To fight it, we must understand it." -- Ayn Rand

Answer 3

Hmm, you seem to have caused a few severe cases of righteous indignation over this one. (Congratulations!)

It seems to be that the theory sounds nice and makes people feel good when they talk about it, so (through some horrible twisting of logic) it must be a good thing. I know, I don't get it either. When implementing plans of such grand scale as socialistic theories imply, we need to weigh the results of other socialist nations equally with the proposed theories, and perhaps even balance the two against one another (for those people unversed in basic economics, it's called cost-benefit analysis). Let's look at, say, France, easily the most socialistic country in Western Europe. Sure, they have universal health care, pretty good education, and, ah, INTERESTING job security -- but what about the side effects? In short, France's economy has basically tanked, and will collapse entirely within a few years; this is because there is not enough money flowing into the government's coffers to account for the massive spending required by all the projects. How do they get more money? Well, higher taxes (and how many people do you know who will like that?) -- or they could just borrow it (from whom? Themselves?). Either way, the country becomes so locked up in debt that it can scarcely breathe, while function is entirely out of the question.

I don't have numbers or anything, but the news reports of continual civil unrest over there seem to indicate that socialism isn't so good, well, SOCIALLY either. (It's pathetic when an ideology screws up even that one thing for which it is named.) We have people rioting because the President-elect is a conservative, not a socialist (but France's conservatives are probably United States wacko liberals); there was the whole affair back in 2005 where riots were going for weeks on end... In fact, as far as I can tell, France isn't herself without some form of riot, strike, or protest going on at any given time. Yeah, that's real conducive to peace and something along the lines of national security! The world's "most peaceful nation" can't even keep order among its own citizens! (My theory on that is -- you guessed it -- too much government in too many places, but I won't go into that right now.)

Talking against socialism in this day and age inevitably means you're going to trod on the toes of a few liberals, who have become themselves so socialistic it's difficult to distinguish the two anymore. Also, through some bizzare twist of circumstances, disagreeing with the President means, in mainstream liberalism, being socialistic, as said is seen as being the polar opposite of (and thus the best way to fight) conservatism. Which is almost true, unfortunately.

Supporting socialism basically gives our founding ideals the boot -- in that you're entirely right. This country was founded on the basis that people can take care of themselves without a helping hand, and that we don't want any aggressive (tyrannical?) government ruling over our every move. Why do you think it's called the Declaration of "Independence"? All you have to do is read it to know that. Why do those same ideals set forth by Mr. Jefferson somehow not apply in the modern day? How about the Constitution -- which, unlike the Declaration, is legally binding as the highest human law of the country? "We the People, in order to form a more perfect Union... ensure to ourselves and our Posterity the blessings of liberty..." And what is liberty? Independence. Rights, and the ability and will to use them as one wishes. Both of these, along with whichever ones I'm missing, imply a necessarily small government, so it doesn't end up stepping all over our rights if it grows, and so there is no risk of people becoming too dependent on anything but themselves.

(Wow, that's the longest answer I've written in a long time! Thanks for asking this question!)

Answer 4

Before I answered this, I read the answers offered. There are a few people who know what 'Socialism' is but most of these answers are really missing the point.

Socialism (and it's more extreme form, Communism) is a means to an end. The end being the well being of everyone in society. The means of socialism is re-distribution of wealth from those who have it to those that don't.

This does not mean that every Government program to address a problem or need in society is a form of Socialism. The education system insures we have an employable workforce, the transportation infrastructure is literally the wheels of the economy. Regulations, standards, compliance, and business laws exist as much to ensure fair competition and built in efficiencies as they do to protect the public from unscrupulous business practices.

And what about welfare and aid to the poor, sick, elderly, and disabled? This is not socialism, it is simply a moral obligation of human beings and especially Christians.

There are very few people in this country who promote and are pursuing true socialism. But there are plenty of people that see almost everything their taxes go for as evidence of socialism. They are wrong.

Answer 5

I'm not sure about that "everything that this country was founded upon"

But Socialism is just fine for places like the UAE or San Moritz even Norway functions very well with a socialist monarchy.

Socialism just doesn't work for America. Look at Norway they have vast North Sea oil reserves. The King of Norway developed a system where all people share in their oil wealth. Socialism works just fine.

In America we have no natural resource or industrial infrastructure that would provide the economic base for socialism. Our Nation can only function as a parasitic Oligarchy. Socialism could never work here in America.

But China is doing OK with their Industry based Socialism.

Go Team Bush Go

Answer 6

ecause a lot of them are bleeding heart hippies that feel the less fortunates are that way because of the rich, when in reality it is because the less fortunates are usually lazy, unintelligent and unmotivated! With the exception of handicapped or mentally retarded people. Socialists like to penalize success and reward laziness! We ARE a capitalist nation, the original saying is "The pusuit of life, liberty and land!" Was changed to "The pursuit of life, liberty and happiness" Either way, both sayings are capitalist in nature! Wealth redistribution is against someones liberties and definitely does not make them happier; and private land ownership is usually forbidden is heavily socialist nations!

Answer 7

Some Americans are Socialists because the US still permits freedom of political expression, and extreme points of view exist in every society. Only a relative handful of Americans believe that the government should control the means of production, so I would not worry about the Socialists taking over, if I were you.

Answer 8

There is already a radical form of socialism in place in America in the form of labour unions...but I don't hear many people working in unionized environments complaining...they love their 'perceived' perks! So as long as socialism benefits THEM, and it isn't called socialism, they are all for it!

A moderately socialist system would provide healthcare for ALL Americans...why is that such a horrible thing? How can a nation call itself the greatest when so many millions have no ability to pay for healthcare? Or when so many children are homeless and have no food in their stomachs to go to school and learn?

In America, those that have are happy with the status quo...and are not even interested in hearing about plans that would allow for more people to join the 'have' category. They see it as a threat to their own little piece of the pie...and we can't have that!

Answer 9

Because our public school system is a complete failure. Virtually nobody knows that our Constitution is founded upon the principle of freedom, specifically freedom from government.

Socialism is the antithesis of those principles. Socialism is the embodiment of government control and oppression. Of course, words like "antithesis" are way too big and complicated for socialists to understand, so they'll give me lots of thumbs down.

Answer 10

I think people (Americans or otherwise) think they are for socialism, because in theory it sounds great. Unfortunately, in reality it just doesn't work because it stifles creativity, a strong work ethic, and personal drive to excel and raise yourself up...as you said, all the things that this country was founded upon.

Answer 11

The Aristocrats!