Socialism

[lesfunk]

Cultural Dictionary

socialism

An economic system in which the production and distribution of goods are controlled substantially by the government rather than by private enterprise, and in which cooperation rather than competition guides economic activity. There are many varieties of socialism. Some socialists tolerate capitalism, as long as the government maintains the dominant influence over the economy; others insist on an abolition of private enterprise. All communists are socialists, but not all socialists are communists.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

[lesfunk]

is this not the direction we are heading??????

please Edify me then, because I think I might be an ignorant racist

[Seshmeister]

LOL!

No you live in a country where the government is controlled by private enterprise not the other away around.

The government doesn't now control all those banks and companies you paid to bail out, it was the fact they owned the government meant that they could make it happen.

[FORD]

LOL!

No you live in a country where the government is controlled by private enterprise not the other away around.

The government doesn't now control all those banks and companies you paid to bail out, it was the fact they owned the government meant that they could make it happen.

And Mr. Mussolini used to call that fascism

[Nickdfresh]

That definition of "socialism" is so broad, you could call Pres. Ronald Reagan a "socialist." In fact, I think I saw a direct comparison between the United States under Reagan and the Sandinistas that controlled Nicaragua during the 1980s that made the US seem far more socialistic than avowed Marxists. Most economies are "mixed economies." And yeah, you have lobbyists and corporatist that effectively engage in legalized bribery as evidenced by the oligarchical, regionalist health insurance industry pretending to protect a so-called "free market" that isn't really free and doesn't exist...

[Seshmeister]

Corporatocracy

Corporatocracy or Corpocracy is a form of government where a corporation, a group of corporations, or government entities with private components, control the direction and governance of a country.

This belief is reinforced by two factors. First, corporations give to competing political parties and major political party candidates. This is seen as a corporation hedging their bets on the outcome of an election, and trying to get on the good side of whichever candidate is elected into office. Some say this is one of the hallmarks of a corporatocracy.

Second, in many cases former corporate executives serve as powerful decision makers within government institutions often charged with the regulation of their former employers. Meanwhile, former government employees often accept high ranking positions within corporations thereby providing their new employers with access to governmental decision makers. This serves to create the appearance of a revolving door between corporations and the institutions established to regulate their behavior.

Sound familiar...?

[Nickdfresh]

The United States is a plutocracy blended into a Republic with some trappings of democracy. Anyone that believes differently is a fool and a willing sap entranced by the puppet show of the ruling elites...

[lesfunk]

hmmmmm...

[Seshmeister]

I think anyone watching the health care issue recently can see where the power is in the US.

The current system is clearly very expensive to the point of being untenable whilst not delivering good outcomes as a whole compared to almost all the other industrialised nations. The US people vote very strongly for the president who promises a wholesale reform and elects his party in both houses to back him up.

This in a time where great economic hardship is coming for many people who will not be able to get treatment for themselves or their children without losing everything.

And big business can still block it!

Blocked or hugely watered down with the support of various scare stories played out by lots of big media companies.

Barely a democracy never mind a socialist one.

[lesfunk]

I guess my fear of healthcare reform lies in my general distrust of our elected officials and their inability to run anything efficiently . In this case, a heath care system that THEY do not participate. I would like to see our Govt. Officials be forced to participate in they same system THEY would adopt for US. I'll bet then it would be pretty sweet.
Even though I pay more than I like to for health insurance, I feel that I do receive adequate health care.
Although I do believe that Big Business (Big Tobacco, Big Medicine, Big Labour, Big Religion, etc.) have gone too far, I believe when you take away incentive to perform well, (profit) you will get poor performance.

I guess I'm one of those asses that prefer Big Business to Big Govt.

[Seshmeister]

Government is usually inefficient but in the case of US health care it would be really difficult to be more inefficient. For a start the insurance companies skim 30% off the top and then you have all the unnecessary procedures, inflated drug prices and so on.

I'm not a fan of huge government either but I prefer it to a big business monopoly which is the worst of both worlds.

It's been mentioned before but again the US military is a huge huge bit of government and I bet not too efficient yet you don't hear people worrying about that so much.

[Hardrock69]

Hey I am a socialist.....I mean, I have lotsa friends, and am not one of those weirdos who goes and lives on a mountaintop cause they can't stand to be around other people.....

[lesfunk]

It's been mentioned before but again the US military is a huge huge bit of government and I bet not too efficient yet you don't hear people worrying about that so much.

Actually, I cuntsider the Military a perfect example of Big Govt ineptness and inefficiency.
The US has the most advanced technology, most powerful weapons and we can't accomplish jack shit.

[FORD]

Actually, I cuntsider the Military a perfect example of Big Govt ineptness and inefficiency.
The US has the most advanced technology, most powerful weapons and we can't accomplish jack shit.

Maybe that's because there hasn't really been jack shit to accomplish since August 1945?

Everything since then has been a waste of time, lives, and resources on bullshit that has nothing to do with defending this country.

[sadaist]

Hey I am a socialist.....I mean, I have lotsa friends, and am not one of those weirdos who goes and lives on a mountaintop cause they can't stand to be around other people.....

I'd live like a recluse as long as I could still have Direct TV and Internet. Always wanted to live in a boat moored in San Diego Bay right next to Coronado Bridge. Total privacy, yet also right in the smack center of the city. (plus my dates would be less reluctant to walk out )