Why do conservatives still invoke the fear of socialism?

Question

I've been reading a lot of questions on here, and I have found a somewhat aggravating trend....whenever someone talks about a democrat, the first thing a lot of conservatives is call them a socialist.

What is wrong with helping people out? And the cold war is over...so why do I feel like we still live during the red scare?

I just don't understand. If you look at countries who are mildly socialist (such as, dare I say it, France) ...citizens there are generally a lot happier then Americans. Why do we fear change here?

Answer 1

Socialism scares them to death. The potential rise of the working class to political power is the real threat to the privileged lifestyles of the wealthy-elite. The Democrats, of course, represent no such threat. They are a right-wing pro-capitalist party that is funded by, and represents, the same wealthy elites. The word "socialism" is clearly used as a scare tactic by the far-right, but it is not just a tactic. Socialism really does frighten them. The super-rich earn their wealth by abusing the working class and raping the globe in pursuit of natural resources. True socialism, of course, would put an end to those abuses.

Answer 2

I don't know. I generally find it more effective to invoke the failures of socialism. ::shrug::

There's nothing wrong with helping people out. Many religious conservatives are big into that sort of thing via churches and charities. Don't care for it myself, but I'm not realy a conservative by thier standards.

Yeah, the Cold War is over, Communism lost, and command economies have been shown up to be the huge failure they were. Yet, people keep pushing similar socialist agendas. It is hard to fathom. I wish I could say I'm surprised to hear you feel like the red scare is still going on, but I'm really not. The downfall of McCarthyism was a watershed moment that liberals can't help but harken back to, and, anytime they meet ideaological resistance, there is an impulse to liken it to the 'dark times' preceding it.

America is a bit of a paradox in being both a highly developed, post-industrial economy, and, compared to Europe at least, a bit socially conservative. I'd take issue with the idea of the French being terribly happy with thier recent history of embracing socialism, though. At least, based on the riots, burning cars, and recent election of a more conservative leader (in that order).

Answer 3

all of us ought to concern the socialization of usa. Socialism in it rather is purest form is a acceptable project. all of us is equivalent and society works for the good of the full. the project is human beings. all of us is needless to say going to take great thing appropriate to the region. some would be lazy and not % to artwork (Welfare Society we've) and those elected to be put in cost will eliminate one liberty and good after the different. the famous info of that's Cuba below Castro.

Answer 4

Where did you get the idea they were happier? Have you seen their tax rates! Money isn't magic.

1) all those services are paid with taxes;
2) business pay most of the taxes;
3) business that are taxed too much move to another country;
4) those jobs disappear;
5) remaining businesses and citizens are taxed more to make up for it;
6) the process accelerates as more try to leave;
7) government has to restrict prices to prevent inflation;
8) government has to restrict businesses from leaving;
9) individual citizens try to leave and are restricted;
10) government nationalizes business to keep them running;
11) standard of living goes down as less money is available;
12) services are cut to minimums;
13) people rebel, and are punished;
14) the socialist government falls.

Socialism doesn't make countries happier. Nor does pure democracy. Once people find a way to vote themselves whatever they want out of the treasury, that country's days are numbered.

I'm a democrat, NOT a socialist. Socialism is NOT over, and is trying to take root right here, in the U.S., under the wings of my party.

Not while I'm living they don't.

Socialism is the exact opposite of the American Dream. They are anti-private ownership, anti-free speech, anti-freedom of expression, anti-freedom of religion.

Why would we want THAT! You'd have to be VERY short-sighted or historically ignorant...

...or actively trying to undermine our country.

Answer 5

Conservativeslove to help people out. They do it of their free will, ever heard of the word CHARITY. Most conservatives (not republicans their is a difference in these days) believe in work for their pay, not to accomidate for someone else's needs. Socialism is when the government imposes the standards that one must give, by taking it away in taxes before someone sees their pay. This takes away my fundamental right to support the causes one believes in. If you want to help the poor or uninsured support a private organization that supports causes that support your views instead of legislating away the rights of people to support your causes. Conservatives give more to charaties than liberals, and you know what it is one of the things that make us feel good. Perhaps that is one of the reasons that we are generally happier. I do not fear change but change at a loss of personal freedom is not good. Their are enough threats to our freedoms in this country now as it is (parts of ther patriot act, That Politically Correct BS, Gun Control laws, affirmative action......the list goes on.)

I am stepping of the soapbox for now

Answer 6

Yes, there appears to be an antiquated fear of Communism among the right-wing. Remember these are traditionalists, who in many ways still live in the past and haven't woken up to the present reality of the world.

Beyond Yahoo answers, my wife during her INS interview was asked, "are you or any one you know associated with the communist party?". Is that a dated question or what?! That question was asked in 2006!

The way business and private interests prevail in today's political arena, perhaps the right-wing are fearful that their behavior will spark discontent and instigate another Communist movement.

Viva La France!

Answer 7

I believe these people belong to a small minority which I would like to call the Aristocratic party. People in the top tax bracket who think it's not fair their tax percentage is higher and think half a minimum wage slave's salary should be taxed so they wouldn't have to pay as much. They probably have never done any kind of physical labor and probably went to a super extra good school because their parents could afford it.
Others are students of economics who have recently read the Wealth of Nations and who are still all googly-eyed about the theory they have just entered into contact with.
Others still are very absorbent of propaganda. They were around during the Cold War and the propaganda just stuck and they don't seem to have noticed the world has changed.

Answer 8

The dems are trying to nationalize health care and the pharmaceutical industries, control the free speech of the media, ram full acceptance of social preferences down our throats, redistribute wealth through excessive taxes and big government give-away programs, etc, etc.
We should be afraid of failed socialist programs and the dishonest democrats pushing them.

Answer 9

The Republicans you are hearing this from are scared to death. They know they're going to lose the election in '08 and they're willing to do anything to try to stop that from happening. So they ignore the fact that we in this country have adopted some socialistic type programs long ago in this country - Social Security, Medicaid, welfare, etc. - that obviously didn't lead to having a statue of Karl Marx in Washington D.C. But they look at Universal Health Care and see that as an opportunity to claim anyone who supports the idea is a socialist. They conveniently ignore the fact that many Republicans in Congress are for UHC as well, Huckabee and Romney, to name two.

Why? Because they have been making a questionable art out of slander, character assassination, and outright lies about Democrats to try and stop the inevitable. They act as though if we adopt a UHC program we'll be on our way to tearing up the Constitution. It's hysteria tactics and it's what they're good at - in fact, it's all they seem to have going for them these days.

Answer 10

France is a hell of a lot more than *mildly* socialist. They are so socialist that they think jogging is right-wing.