If some people in America want a Socialist country, why don't they move to one?

Question

I'm completely serious.

There are many Socialist countries from which to choose that grant many different kinds of visas.

Any American without a Federal conviction is free to travel anyplace he is welcome, so why don't our home-grown Liberal Socialists just go where they would be more comfortable?

There's the U.K.; Canada; Japan; Russia; France... many places are available. Why don't they pony up the $800 it would take, and move?

Come on, this is a serious question.

And, all you have to do is get a work visa, which I myself did for ten years running, so it can't be THAT damned hard.

Answer 1

The question is amusing, altho doubtless sincere. However, its desired implication--that unpatriotic Socialists should just give it up as an impossible job, go away, and leave non-Socialists to get on with running the country--doesn't stand up to much thought.

The obvious reasons, even (or especially) with "America" replaced with "Country X," are:
Because they like other characteristics of Country X, and believe that it would be yet better as Socialist. Because they have other investments in Country X (let's call it "America" again), quite often including emotional investments--i.e., they may actually love their country. Moreover, the cost of a visa is not the only economic cost of moving away.

Now try replacing "Socialist" with "more liberal" or "yet more conservative" and you've involved the majority of politically concerned citizens. (The coworker who told me that a fire down the street mattered more to her than who the U.S. President was, and all such people, don't count for this math.) Would you have all of them move, too, and only those in favor of the status quo (in any given year), plus the apathetic, remain?

"My country, right or wrong!" has been compared to "My mother, drunk or sober!" Which is actually an instructive analogy; if your mother is an alcoholic, it may be time to organize an intervention.

And dropping the analogy: Even if immediate electoral victory is unlikely, informing the electorate and thus influencing the two-party oligarchy is possible and even probable. It has happened again and again w/ U.S. "Third" parties.

P.S. I've been a Democrat since slightly before I was old enough to vote. (I aged in by the time of the following election.) Doesn't mean I think the other side(s) ought to evaporate.

Answer 2

So much for the land of the free and freedom of expression? Just because someone doesn't agree with your views, they have to leave? By the way, just because they are socialist countries doesn't mean that their borders are open to anyone and everyone, Australia and the UK are some of the hardest to get into and Americans are not at the top of the list for immigration visas, members of European communities or former Commonwealth countries are so apart from your bigoted views, your information on visa requirements is also incorrect!

Answer 3

Aren’t the Police & Fire departments a form of Socialism? Why not Health Care? It seems to work well for Canada and several other countries. I realize that the Insurance & Drug Companys, would loose much of their Power and Profit. I believe that it is about time that People become more important than Money, Mansions, expensive Cars etc.

Answer 4

Sorry,we already devolved into one in the 1930's.And we're headed for a Global Fascist Government shortly after the NAU takes root here.

Answer 5

Because America is their country.

Answer 6

Agreed.. And if all you Republicans want a dictatorship... You should move to N. Korea..