If It Isn't Socialism, What Is It?

[Ramone45]

I realize that the Democrat ideology is not Socialism, as it is usually defined. But, what do you call it? It's big government.It requires very high taxation. It is involved in all aspects of citizen's lives. It involves strict regulations. It affects a person from cradle to grave. I think Nanny State is probably an accurate way to describe it.

 

[coati]

I realize that the Democrat ideology is not Socialism, as it is usually defined. But, what do you call it? It's big government.It requires very high taxation. It is involved in all aspects of citizen's lives. It involves strict regulations. It affects a person from cradle to grave. I think Nanny State is probably an accurate way to describe it.

Nahhhh. A true Nanny State is when women are turned into Handmaids.

 

[FescueFan]

I realize that the Democrat ideology is not Socialism, as it is usually defined.

How do you figure? Collective ownership/administration of the means of production and distribution of goods and services is exactly what they advocate.

All day every day they claim HC/food/housing/energy and even tech services are a RIGHT!!! It's time for progress!! It's time to ensure everyone has access to their rights (other peoples property/capital) like civilized society should!!!

How do you think they plan to "Progress" society to the point private property and an individual right to ones labor are no longer things???

"progress" is just a new shade of lipstick on a Chinese pig.

But, what do you call it? It's big government.It requires very high taxation. It is involved in all aspects of citizen's lives. It involves strict regulations. It affects a person from cradle to grave. I think Nanny State is probably an accurate way to describe it.

Last I checked that's usually referred to as either fascism or communism, depending on how that nanny state operates and for what purpose.

 

[kissedcherry]

The cross over point...

I realize that the Democrat ideology is not Socialism, as it is usually defined. But, what do you call it? It's big government.It requires very high taxation. It is involved in all aspects of citizen's lives. It involves strict regulations. It affects a person from cradle to grave. I think Nanny State is probably an accurate way to describe it.

The main difference is when the government gets involved with business. Like running the school system and health care and housing etc.

In this case they really have taken charge of almost every business in the sense that they regulate what businesses can and can not do. So really they run the business or even decide if a person is allowed to own a business.

The terms that they use are intended to sugar coat what is really going on. What is really going on is that they have a thirst for power and control and all the money that comes with it. It never ends. The more control they have the more they want. It always leads to totalitarian conditions even if it takes decades to get there.

 

[StrictMiss]

Yeah, mandatory vehicle liability insurance...

Commie bastards!

 

[FescueFan]

Commie bastards!

Only mandatory on public roads. sad attempt.

Want to try the "If you support having courthouses, public roads and a military you're already a communist! " fallacy next??

 

[StrictMiss]

I hate driving on the interstate!

Damn commie road builders!

 

[icanhelp1]

Only mandatory on public roads. sad attempt.

Want to try the "If you support having courthouses, public roads and a military you're already a communist! " fallacy next??

They always conflate enumerated powers of the federal government, social programs as an argument against the right that we are already a socialist style government. What we have today is a wholesale lack of personal responsibility and excessive passing around the hat!

 

[Bud_Spencer]

Fascism, the retention of the fig leaf of private ownership with business interests subordinated to the goals of the State.

 

[oggbashan]

When there were democratic Presidents. did the US change significantly?

It is only a question of minor changes like maintaining highways and bridges that have been neglected.

What are you afraid of? Democrats are Americans too.

 

[Ziggins]

I realize that the Democrat ideology is not Socialism, as it is usually defined. But, what do you call it?

European urbanism. We will eventually use less energy and maybe have more streetcars, but that's not what they're selling now. Dropping the values of European civilization and creating a new American civilization will take a few more centuries.

 

[Ramone45]

The main difference is when the government gets involved with business. Like running the school system and health care and housing etc.

In this case they really have taken charge of almost every business in the sense that they regulate what businesses can and can not do. So really they run the business or even decide if a person is allowed to own a business.

The terms that they use are intended to sugar coat what is really going on. What is really going on is that they have a thirst for power and control and all the money that comes with it. It never ends. The more control they have the more they want. It always leads to totalitarian conditions even if it takes decades to get there.

I think I understand. It's "Sneaky" Socialism. My view is the government taking control over responsibilities that rightfully lie with the individual. The state requires an enormous revenue stream to do this, because all these endeavors cost at least twice as much as they should. It's weird that the population has abdicated its moral obligation to be charitable to the government. We don't like President Trump because he "seems" uncaring. We like Joe Biden because he "seems" compassionate even though he's as vile as any other career politician.

 

[naughtymind]

I realize that the Democrat ideology is not Socialism, as it is usually defined. But, what do you call it? It's big government.It requires very high taxation. It is involved in all aspects of citizen's lives. It involves strict regulations. It affects a person from cradle to grave. I think Nanny State is probably an accurate way to describe it.

Mostly, it’s called “same old shit”. One of the main actual changes is typically the balance of tax burden. Democrats and Republicans both favor certain “socialist” models for certain things, but oppose them for others, and in both parties it varies dramatically among the various members. Honestly, this fervor over a socialist take over of this country is just laughable. It’s not happening. The one change to could happen sometime in the next 10-20 years would be a universal healthcare system, with either a removal of the for profit insurance industry (doubtful), or a much more tightly regulated insurance industry (quite likely). The impacts of such a change would largely positive for nearly all Americans, the main exceptions being the insurance and pharmaceutical CEO’s.

As for government needlessly meddling in our everyday lives, that applies far more to conservative Republican ideology than liberal Democrat ideology. It’s one of the big issues a lot of us have with Republicans: while touting “small government, less regulation” they have simultaneously been fighting to restrict voting rights, supporting discriminatory policies, attempting to deny millions the right to marriage, controlling what materials are allowed to be taught in public schools, removing hot button terms that do not align with their agenda (like “climate change”), restricting access and information to birth control and reproductive health, etc, etc, etc. They are no champions of individual freedoms.

 

[magicalmoments]

I realize that the Democrat ideology is not Socialism, as it is usually defined. But, what do you call it? It's big government.It requires very high taxation. It is involved in all aspects of citizen's lives. It involves strict regulations. It affects a person from cradle to grave. I think Nanny State is probably an accurate way to describe it.

It's called civilized society. Like... the way the rest of the 1st world operates. Have an open minded look at all those 1st world countries that the USA used to call friends and allies, places like my country. They/We operate a social democracy, same as that proposed by the Democratic party progressives, yet they/we have a more free society than the USA.

 

[naughtymind]

I think I understand. It's "Sneaky" Socialism. My view is the government taking control over responsibilities that rightfully lie with the individual. The state requires an enormous revenue stream to do this, because all these endeavors cost at least twice as much as they should. It's weird that the population has abdicated its moral obligation to be charitable to the government. We don't like President Trump because he "seems" uncaring. We like Joe Biden because he "seems" compassionate even though he's as vile as any other career politician.

The cost issue is real, and large, dysfunctional institutions like the federal government are rarely “efficient” in terms of cost cutting. The flip side is that there are certain critical needs that must be addressed for in order for us to thrive. Infrastructure needs, for example, would be woefully under served by the private sector. I would never want to see police and fire departments be privatized either! Obviously there are many things the federal government should not be involved with, and many things that even state and local government should stay out of, but it does serve critical roles too. As for how the two candidates “seem”, we luckily have plenty of real concrete data on their records and policy proposals (and lack thereof). No need to rely on general sentiment, it’s pretty transparent by the numbers.

 

[jaF0]

But, what do you call it?.

Government, OF the People, BY the people and FOR the people.

 

[oggbashan]

Government, OF the People, BY the people and FOR the people.

And that government ought to be responsible for protecting and serving the people. How much and how far? That is the question...

 

[WillJ8787]

I realize that the Democrat ideology is not Socialism, as it is usually defined. But, what do you call it? It's big government.It requires very high taxation. It is involved in all aspects of citizen's lives. It involves strict regulations. It affects a person from cradle to grave. I think Nanny State is probably an accurate way to describe it.

I think you ask a good question and I'm not exactly sure if your asking is Democracy socialistic or if your just asking about what socialism is?

We already have a number of socialistic ideals that exist in the USA...the best one is the Federal Govt and all of it's branches.

We, all citizens who make money, have to pay federal taxes for a system that is ours. We collectively own it. It is, or is supposed to be, responsive to us. We have no choice about participating.

Is this a good thing?

I think so...we are a stable country with few​ internal wars(civil wars) and we actually do get things from our govt(like military, National road system, etc).

We have a system of checks and balances to ensure our say and so it doesn't go down the road of authoritarian socialism. Voting is one check, the three co-author branches of government is another.

 

[Lazaran]

.
The private sectors epic failure to self regulate and oversee public education, environmental protection, health services, social security, civil rights, etc, etc, resulted in the government taking on the responsibility to "promote the blessings of liberty.

The quasi socialist system currently in place evolved organically in response to the needs of society. There would have been a violent revolution long ago if our hybrid system had not materialized.

Trump and republicans attack on that system has unsurprisingly pushed the country to the brink of another violent domestic crisis.

SAD!!!

 

[BluesDriver66]

I realize that the Democrat ideology is not Socialism, as it is usually defined. But, what do you call it? It's big government.It requires very high taxation. It is involved in all aspects of citizen's lives. It involves strict regulations. It affects a person from cradle to grave. I think Nanny State is probably an accurate way to describe it.

Where did you learn about socialism? AM talk radio hosts or bumper stickers? You have all the scary buzz words in there but no examples.

Here is how it works. Government programs that the wealthy need to maintain their wealth like police, fire, highways, coast guard, FAA, etc. are fine and dandy. Government programs that benefit anyone else like working people are inherently evil.

I don't need a coast guard to protect my yacht from pirates. I don't need a FAA to protect my Lear Jet from crashing. I don't need a fire protection for my Malibu Hills mansion where wild fires and mudslides are a yearly events in exclusive high risk locations.

I do need health care and education for my family. I need my food inspected and a whole host of other services that cut into the profits of those that exploit workers and consumers.

Apparently those are evil and socialist while the welfare they decry also subsidizes salaries of their exploited and underpaid employees.

It's okay though. The French aristocracy didn't see it coming either. These things have a way of working themselves out.

 

[Just4AFriend]

Where did you learn about socialism? AM talk radio hosts or bumper stickers? You have all the scary buzz words in there but no examples.

Here is how it works. Government programs that the wealthy need to maintain their wealth like police, fire, highways, coast guard, FAA, etc. are fine and dandy. Government programs that benefit anyone else like working people are inherently evil.

I don't need a coast guard to protect my yacht from pirates. I don't need a FAA to protect my Lear Jet from crashing. I don't need a fire protection for my Malibu Hills mansion where wild fires and mudslides are a yearly events in exclusive high risk locations.

I do need health care and education for my family. I need my food inspected and a whole host of other services that cut into the profits of those that exploit workers and consumers.

Apparently those are evil and socialist while the welfare they decry also subsidizes salaries of their exploited and underpaid employees.

It's okay though. The French aristocracy didn't see it coming either. These things have a way of working themselves out.

Amen!!
The 1% has many brainwashed against their own well being
Wtf is someone going to do with 400 billion dollars?
Maybe have lotteries? Like the Perons??
No no, first in our new “democracy” you buy yourself a whole government
Welcome to the oligarchy the kleptocracy.., the corporatocracy
You think your voice matters??
They are willing to kiss off 1% of us... to save their economy

 

[LLCox]

Who cares what you call it.

The US is the only Civilized country in the world that doesn't take care of it's citizens.
There is too much money in chaos.
For example:
With Medicare you can not be taken for everything you have after you get a million dollar health care bill. Prexisting conditions make zero difference. Americans pays the highest pharmacy bill in the world for the same medicine. Chaos pricing is allowed by Congre$$.

trump promised lower drug prices and then folded to the Pharmaceutical lobby. He's promising it again... lol

 

[BluesDriver66]

If poor people weren't so fucking stupid and lazy we wouldn't need socialism. So sick of the useless eaters always whining about being poor, hungry, and homeless. We need to go back to the good old days before Social Security when old people out lived they usefulness they just died in the fucking street. Serves them right for not being smart and working hard like Don Trump Jr., Hunter Biden, and Paris Hilton.

 

[icanhelp1]

I think you ask a good question and I'm not exactly sure if your asking is Democracy socialistic or if your just asking about what socialism is?

We already have a number of socialistic ideals that exist in the USA...the best one is the Federal Govt and all of it's branches.

We, all citizens who make money, have to pay federal taxes for a system that is ours. We collectively own it. It is, or is supposed to be, responsive to us. We have no choice about participating.

Is this a good thing?

I think so...we are a stable country with few​ internal wars(civil wars) and we actually do get things from our govt(like military, National road system, etc).

We have a system of checks and balances to ensure our say and so it doesn't go down the road of authoritarian socialism. Voting is one check, the three co-author branches of government is another.

Perhaps people would have a better understanding of the difference between socialism and social if they had a better understanding of the constitution.

Perhaps read up on the federalist papers and the debates our forefathers had when constructing the constitution.

People should start with the declaration of independence and what the continental army fought against, and fought for. What shaped the debates over how we would govern ourselves, maybe read the articles of the confederation and how that impacted our continental congress (2nd).

Read James Madison's 12 amendments 10 of which became the bill of rights which limited government power and granted that power to the people, government for the people by the people.

Read about how the house and senate were created and how our government became a representative form of government where enumerated power were given to the federal government and states rights were also declared. The creation of 3 co-equal branches of government independent of each other, articles I, II, III is brilliant.

We don't need all these changes that are being proposed today, we just need to follow the constitution.

The electoral college, although it's original intent is not what people think it was, what it does today is to provide an equitable representation for all states and avoids tyranny by location and majority ( California should not rule the rest of the country because it's a heavily populated state ). Different demographics require an equal say in how government operates and governs. Heavily populated areas should not have exclusive power over less populated hence a republican form of government where the federal government granted with enumerated powers ( currency, military, interstate commerce ect. ) and 50 independent states unitary in their own right to goververn! is brilliant!! it separates us from unitary democracies and guarantees individual and states rights, the ability to govern each state based on the needs of their constituents while also having representation at the federal level.

Maybe read up on the part of the constitution that is called the supremacy clause. We don't need to change anything what we need is to follow one of the most brilliantly crafted documents in the history of the world.

 

[SevMax2]

Democrats don’t have an ideology. Just machine politics, empty rhetoric, trite platitudes, endless wars, austerity, table scraps for the underclass, outsourcing, hero worship of the Gestapo state, and corporate welfare. And wokeness as a smokescreen for oligarchy and war crimes.

Republicans have an ideology of pure greed, austerity, imperialism, revanchism, racism, fake populism, and religious extremism. And an obsession with “triggering” the libs.