Socialism: So let me get this right... Maybe you can help...?

Question

How would the "Equality for All" theory work? Shouldn't small business owners who have worked their tails off to build up a business reap more benifits for their hard work? The harder one works, the more beneifts one gets. That goes without saying. To me, if you don't work hard, why should you get the same benefits as someone who does? It is like getting an "A" on a test that you deserved an "F" on because you did not work hard and study. Just curious and trying to understand.

For those who like to say I dont know what I am talking about....WELL DUH! Pull your head out of your but and remember THAT IS WHY I AM ASKING A QUESTION?

Answer 1

That is one thing that makes it so bad. For a good idea of the impact of socialism watch Dr. Zhivago.

Answer 2

In socialism/communism the only thing equally shared is the misery. Well not exactly there is the Vanguard of the Elite, the ruling proletariat, like the socialists in our congress, they get to keep the money and get to grow richer while the middle class disappears completely and you end up with two classes of people.

the rulers
and the slaves.

from Ron Ewart
What are the odds that we can re-claim freedom from the clutches of socialism, radical environmentalism and the onslaught of the one-world-order? What are our chances of convincing the masses that the path they have chosen, leads to enslavement and that they are already there? How is it possible to change a mindset that exists in the majority of the population, created by government promises of a “free lunch”, or saving the environment at any cost, including our very freedom? If our children are being indoctrinated and brainwashed in our schools and colleges, do we have any chance of getting the next generation to see the light? If a person or a family gets a check every month from the all-benevolent government, what is the likelihood that we can convince that person or family that what they are receiving is not only not free, but is making them a dependent (ward) of government and sapping their individual strength and independence? If we continue to allow the hordes of illegal aliens that flood into this country with a socialist mindset and grant them amnesty, how will we offset their votes to stop the socialism they will bring. How do we overcome a strong and powerful media bias that opposes freedom and endorses government control and abuse?
http://www.federalobserver.com/archive.php?aid=11566

Answer 3

Some of the answers by the socialists are bizzare! Either they do not understand the term socialism or they do not want YOU or anyone else to understand it.

Here are a few quotes for you from experta on the subject.
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From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs. - Karl Marx

The meaning of peace is the absence of opposition to socialism. - Karl Marx
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“Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.” - Alexis de Tocqueville

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“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.” - Winston Churchill

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“Most people who read "The Communist Manifesto" probably have no idea that it was written by a couple of young men who had never worked a day in their lives, and who nevertheless spoke boldly in the name of "the workers".”
- Thomas Sowell

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“All socialism involves slavery” - Herbert Spencer

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I could go on and on and on with this.

To continue your example:

You work hard and earn an A.
Johnny slacks off and earns an F.
Under socialism, two letter grades are redistributed to Johny so the both of you get a C.

Hey, you're obviously a smart person.
It doesn't take long for you to figure out that you are going to receive a C no matter what - so you start slacking off.

Now, what happens when there are no more letter grades to redistribute? Take a look at any socialist society and you will see the answer. Everybody has less and less and less until there is no more. It is an unsustainable utopian ideal that does not take into account human nature.

A book recommendation: Animal Farm by George Orwell. It is a quick and fun read.

Someone else here mentioned that in a socialist society some people can get ahead by working for the party. Yep. Some pigs are more equal than others!

Answer 4

When capitalism was first pioneered, it was designed so that it would achieve the ends of socialism - that is it would achieve equality. The idea is, everyone gets a shot at the big time, providing they work hard and are resourceful, and specialize in a market good. If you don't believe me read Wealth of Nations.

Of course, as we can see, capitalism fails in every way to achieve equality, in pretty much every part of the world. It hasn't only bankrupted most of south america but it has annihilated Africa. Look at all the natural resources Africa has - diamonds, oil, gold -surely there should be relative peace and prosperity like in Saudi Arabia.

Liberal capitalism was designed under the impression that the capital would flow, as you say, to the hard workers. No state intervention, people doing their own thing. But it doesn't work. What happens is these huge corporations develop that suck the wealth out of the community and centralize it away. These small businesses you talk about are failing to survive because, with no laws to protect them, they become prey to tremendous giants who swallow them up. We realized this years ago when we were playing with laissez-faire government.

A socialist perspective is much more bothered with achieving efficiency and competence in the workplace than capitalism. In liberal capitalism, if you just work hard, you get marked down for it. That's not how it is supposed to work. If you work smart, you get better grades. The rich are rich simply because of that. They're not stuck in some low-paid job because they refuse to work hard. They were given the capital they needed to get into college and study. The poor get nothing, just fewer and fewer rights, while they work longer and longer hours.

For instance, look at the Mexicans in America and the Polish in the UK. They barely get paid minimum wage and live in squalid conditions, but choose it because our governments have ripped off theirs and the price of bread and a roof is extortionate. They work *much* harder than us. What do they get? An F. If you're underpaid, wrong family, wrong skin color? You get an F.

It sounds like capitalism has all but given up on equality. I don't personally believe we should keep playing the lottery with the resource of the workforce. Small business owners should have state protection against corporate giants. Whether or not they pass popular liberal-conservative approval.

Answer 5

It doesn't mean in that type of way. It means in benefits and rights. You should be able to work hard and receive the same rewards as the person that does the same. So distorted its unreal. You described basic communism. In a socialist society you are entitled to get your A as you put it. It just means because you get an A and the other guy gets an F, he still can have things such as health care, etc. Right now in our society making a small business work is nearly impossible. It wasn't about 10 years ago, but now pretty much hard as can be.

Answer 6

Yep.....
You got it. Democrat Politicians hate Employers and are out to destroy them.
Democrat Voters hate Companies & Employers because Democrats don't ever look for jobs.
Democrats either work for the Government or are on Welfare. They HATE Employers.

Answer 7

1. Liberals do not want people excluded, after all it would hurt their feelings.

2. Equality for all means the elites have lots and the masses are equally miserable.

You nailed it perfectly.

Answer 8

you're really describing more communism... which is different than socialism... in most instances... communism is like the extreme form of socialism... where all goods and services are distributed evenly...

under communism, the good of the state, or your patriotism, should drive you, according to those who like the idea... so everyone would work hard, because they love the nation...

but back to your point, in most cases, socialism just wants to educate you and give health care to everyone... yet, you still work and get the benefits you enjoy... just at a slightly higher tax... and if you fail at working, say your company goes under, as the vast majority do, you still have the nation's healthcare to take care of you and you're just not "thrown to the wolves" if you will...

basically socialism wants to give you an education and your health and maybe an emergency program to help if you fail at whatever you do....

Answer 9

Most implementations of socialism do allow the ambitious to improve thier lot somewhat. By working thier way up within the party hierarchy if nothing else.


(And don't watch Dr. Zhivago - that'd be 3 hours and 17 minutes of your life you'd never get back).

Answer 10

many people work hard but hardly make their ends meet ! as a child we slowly learn. 1st we learn "I", "me", "mine" then as we grow, we learn "we","us" and "ours". so we learn individualism 1st which is primitive but prerequisite to move to next stage of socialism. However one has to interact and socialize,specially w/ other nationalities and travel, specially to a developing nation in order to reach socialism and internationalism. some have not and will not reach that stage and remain primitive