Socialists, what can we learn?

Question

What can we learn from what Socialism has done to/for France and why is the populace there now voting for changes?

I am also speaking to ultra liberal "American" here.

g, show me where socialism has been for the betterment of it's people. Just ONE example!

Since Bacon Baron does not allow contact, I'll say here. I watched my father in law die in a disgusting hospital in the U.K. You be the judge!

WOW! So many good answers. I may have to put this one to voting!!!

Answer 1

Democracy and capitalism promise equality of opportunity. Socialism promises equality of outcome, which never can occur. As a result, socialism delivers envy and class warfare. Sarkozy opposes mandated 35 hour work weeks and is elected by a significant majority. The result?... outrage and street protests.

It's the youth who are burning cars and rioting. And it's the older generation who voted for Sarkozy. There's a lesson there.

The hammock looks great until you've been forced to lay in it for too long. Take it from me...human nature is to be productively dissatisfied. Take away the productivity and all you have is the dissatisfaction.

I'd rather be selling the hammocks than using them!

Answer 2

To me it's nothing more than a isspelling of communism. Both are bad news and have never brought anything good except to the party leaders. I wouldn't call France socialist... more ultra-liberal.

Now in France... not familiar with French politics really but I think the main 2 reasons why Sarkozy got into power are:
1) Unemployment. I hear that there is a lot of it there. Sarkozy, during his victory speech, said that was the main thing to tackle this problem head on. That seemed to generate enormous applause.

2) Immigration. Sarkozy called the youth immigrants who trashed parts of France in those riots 2 years ago scum. I think he is not alone in his feel about this. Halting immigration from the 3rd world countries is something I think all Europeans are wanting by now. I know I am.

PS: Ruth has a great answer. I think that is a valid point which can only back up my 2nd reason for France's change.

Answer 3

It could be argued that socialism, in a sense, helped Canada and England. I'm specifically talking about their univeral health care, or "socialized health care." I have heard of people who don't have the kind of money it takes to see an American doctor be able to get treatment in their countries because of this. That's a good thing, right? Not neccessarly. I know a person who has open heart surgeries, heart probelms, diabetes, the whole boatload. I rarely get sick. If we both have to pay the same amount into the health care account, is that fair? Well... you be the judge. That's the thing about America. You be the judge.

EDIT:

You see what I mean? All the hospitals I have been in here in America have been excellent. Even in my small town of 15,000, the hospital is wonderful.

I like to think that medicine is fueled more by money than wanting to make people better. I'd say most doctors want to make people better, but I'm sure money is there too. Pharma companies in it for the money.

When you take that money away, and only get a flat fee, then where is the competition? If I dislike my family doctor, or ER, then I can go to another one. The other one will get my money. The better one will do better, the worse one worse. But that's not always true when doctors are getting checks from the govn't.

In sum, I think money makes the world go 'round in America. In medicine, that's a good thing. "Socialized medicine" or universal health care would squash that.

I think we need to get universal insurance, and then if you want better insurance, you pay into it. If you don't pay into it, you get less. Fixing the actual practicioners won't help.

Socialsm isn't as rampant as it was, and I don't know of any hard-core socialist countries. It doesn't survive with globalization. China is not even "communist." Their government and way of life is communist, but their economy is edging on capitalist and working closer every year.

China can't last long the way it is. People want to succeed on their own terms. Only democracy and capitalism can provide that.

Answer 4

Excellent question! As George Bernard Shaw once said "Socialism is the same as communism, only better English". Socialism has destroyed the French economy, people riot in the streets because there are no jobs---it will take a conservative to save France from economic and social ruin. He should read The Downing Street Years by Margaret Thatcher before he takes office.

Answer 5

It's not PC to say it, but the biggest threat to socialism, in the most cushy of little nations is immigration. Socialism doesn't work with a heterogenous population.

Take a look at happy little Denmark, for example. Only recently, voted the "happiest country on earth." That was before the Muslim immigration explosion, the cartoon violence which left 139 people dead.

Socialism works in homogenous cultures, with people of similar cultural and ethical backgrounds. It is unworkable when cultures clash.

Answer 6

I see what you are wanting, but really there are no long term positives..

Socialism is a "feel good" form of government.. Most people are willing to help those less fortunate than themselves improve their life, on the condition that they will also work for that same goal..

Socialism is irresponsible as it forces those who work hard to pay for those that dont.. That creates a bankrupt (and resentful) socitey It also takes away from our individual freedoms. People can only tolerate that for so long...

Answer 7

Socialism has also worked so well in the UK..,the people demanded that Tony Blair fix the health care system and they have the lottery for surgery..,sure throw my childs name in a hat for cancer treatment..,Canadians are coming to the United States for health care and paying for it since Canada is another country with free health care for all..,funny how we dont see people running to Cuba for health care either.

As they say..,the French are good for two things..,surrendering and cooking and the second is still debatable.

Answer 8

What we can, and what we have learned: Run them all out of office- Canada- Germany, Mexico, France all hear the call. The USA needs to send the Ted Kennedy's to the retirement village for misfits and killers of the human spirit.
Great question kitty.

Answer 9

I don't think the ultra liberal will learn from this, unfortunately. They probably wouldn't learn even in France because they are so fond of their ideals they don't believe they can be wrong. Good question though. There is a lot to learn from it by the open minded.

Answer 10

It doesn't work - the infrastructure will eventually collapse. France is starting to wake up, but the damage will take years to undo. Socialism cannot sustain itself.