Only 53% Say Capitalism Better than Socialism

[sealybobo]

Only 53% of American adults believe capitalism is better than socialism.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 20% disagree and say socialism is better. Twenty-seven percent (27%) are not sure which is better.

Adults under 30 are essentially evenly divided: 37% prefer capitalism, 33% socialism, and 30% are undecided. Thirty-somethings are a bit more supportive of the free-enterprise approach with 49% for capitalism and 26% for socialism. Adults over 40 strongly favor capitalism, and just 13% of those older Americans believe socialism is better.

Investors by a 5-to-1 margin choose capitalism. As for those who do not invest, 40% say capitalism is better while 25% prefer socialism.

There is a partisan gap as well. Republicans - by an 11-to-1 margin - favor capitalism. Democrats are much more closely divided: Just 39% say capitalism is better while 30% prefer socialism. As for those not affiliated with either major political party, 48% say capitalism is best, and 21% opt for socialism.

Rasmussen Reports™: The Most Comprehensive Public Opinion Data Anywhere

Come on, capitalism!

Did those respondents understand they already live with socialism?
Did they object to the loose wording of the poll?

Doubtful.
Unknown.

In other words, "has the GOP's campaign to make the word socialism a bad word worked on you"

53% said they weren't buying it.

The rest were 22% republicans and 25% "independants" who did fall for it.

 

[kakarothusain]

I think that every people has their own point of view since some will say that capitalism is better and some other will say that socialism is better.

 

[ItsFairmont]

I don't even really know what socialism is. Sure, I've read all about it, and know exactly how it's defined, but to see it really in action? I'm not so sure.

The Amish come to mind, but they have a voluntary system, and they also are at the mercy of the surrounding communities who could, if they wish, destroy the Amish culture.


Capitalism will never die. It's impossible. Even in the strictest "communist" society (currently North Korea), there is somebody out to make a buck. He might be making home brew, diggin up clams, skimming extra fish off the catch when officials aren't looking, prostitution, etc.

Capitalism exists everywhere. It always will.


Regulation will always exist as well. If you approach a guy from Craigslist to buy his golf clubs, and have cash in your pocket, why can't you simply push him down, take the golf clubs (and your money), hop in the car and leave?

Commerce is regulated.


Likewise, if I give a guy a piece of paper for his golf clubs, he knows it won't be of value unless it's officialy currency, another example of state-made regulation.


If a market is truly free, then money doesn't exist. People trade. One guy makes leather belts and shoes all day. He can't possibly use them all, and doesn't want to, so he keeps one for himself once in a while, and trades the others for corn (something he needs but doesn't grow).

Likewise, the corn farmer needs a shotgun to scare off the crows, but he can't make one out of corn, so he goes to a gunsmith and trades corn.


Of course, all this is really hard. How long would it take the corn grower to get supplies if he has to haul around corn all day with which to trade?

Hence, the government steps in and says, "Hey everyone, let's use this."

It could be shells, coins, green paper with drawings of dead guys, or coconut shells.


A socialist system doesn't exist, and neither does a free market. The question then becomes: How much regulation is right?

 

[Old Rocks]

Slowly becoming a George Orwell novel D:

Been there, done that. President George orWell Bush.

 

[Old Rocks]

Socialism defined- government control of the production and distribution of goods. In other words spreading your wealth to others.

Capitalism defined- economic system of private ownership of capital.

I think that this poll demonstrates that people really don't understand what socialism is, because if they did they certainly would not think that it is anywhere near as good as capitalism.

In the end socialism punishes success and rewards failure, capitalism rewards success and punishes failure.

Margaret Thacther, " Socialism works fine until you run out of other people's money."

Well let's see. We have a capitalistic health care system. And we pay twice as much for a shorter lifespan and far higher infant mortality rate than the rest of the industrial world with their 'socialist universal health care'.

Hmmm............. Maybe that is not the best example to use in support of capitalism.

We have had the least regulated markets for the last 20 years. And we had the most rapid growth in financial instruments. And nearly crashed the whole world's economy as a result.

Hmmmm.......... Maybe that is not a good arguement for unfettored capitalism, either.

Perhaps the problem is unfettored capitalism. It is kind of like a race car without brakes. Just fine untill you hit a sudden corner.

 

[garyd]

So much hogwash so little time. If they are just going to pass it on to the little guy anyway exactly how do you think raising their taxes is going to keep them from just passing it on to the little guy?

By the way as it stands now the working poor get more tax dollars back than they pay especiallys o if they have a couple of kids.

 

[code1211]

Only 53% of American adults believe capitalism is better than socialism.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 20% disagree and say socialism is better. Twenty-seven percent (27%) are not sure which is better.

Adults under 30 are essentially evenly divided: 37% prefer capitalism, 33% socialism, and 30% are undecided. Thirty-somethings are a bit more supportive of the free-enterprise approach with 49% for capitalism and 26% for socialism. Adults over 40 strongly favor capitalism, and just 13% of those older Americans believe socialism is better.

Investors by a 5-to-1 margin choose capitalism. As for those who do not invest, 40% say capitalism is better while 25% prefer socialism.

There is a partisan gap as well. Republicans - by an 11-to-1 margin - favor capitalism. Democrats are much more closely divided: Just 39% say capitalism is better while 30% prefer socialism. As for those not affiliated with either major political party, 48% say capitalism is best, and 21% opt for socialism.

Rasmussen Reports™: The Most Comprehensive Public Opinion Data Anywhere

Come on, capitalism!

I would like to know how the questions were asked. Those are staggering numbers.

I think the numbers are interesting, but really more as a measurement of what % of our society posesses stuff. If you have nothing and want something, likew a student in debt, for instance, Socialism probably sounds pretty good. If you have worked hard for years, have amassed an amount that seems to be what you were planning on and that will do for you, you may be uncomfortable with the guy who has not done any work or planning trying to co-opt that little bit saved.

If you think you can take care of yourself, you are probably not thrilled with Socialism. If you want someone to take care of you, Socilaism probably sounds pretty good.

If you want to take care of someone and want to do it with someone else's money, you are the POTUS, the Speaker or the Majority Leader.

What kills me is when they tell me they want to take of me, but want to use my money to take care of me. ? If they are taking care of me and using my money to do it, who's taking care of who?

 

[editec]

Given that I doubt less than 10% of the population can correctly describe what socialism means, how important are their thoughts on whether it is better or worse than capitalism?

 

[Neubarth]

Given that I doubt less than 10% of the population can correctly describe what socialism means, how important are their thoughts on whether it is better or worse than capitalism?

Edi, as I see it, they are not mutually exclusive. The European countries have combined both to good advantage until most recently. Germany a Socialist-Capitalist country is still very strong but looking at a 6% fall in their GDP this year (Just like us.)

 

[code1211]

Every tax levied will be passed onto the average consumer.

NO matter how you set it up they will pass the cost onto the little guy.

That is why raising the tax rate of those who benifit most from the system is completely fair.

If you dont tax them directly they will actually be left out of the tax loop entirely.

And they'd be a whole lot less willing to start an Iraq war for oil when they know they would be the ones who have to pay for it.

You and Iriemon are fucking genious!!!!

We were already getting Iraq's oil cheap (food for oil program). We didn't need to steal it. Unless they also wanted to pull in their defense contractor buddies so they could also rape the treasury via war for profit.

They wouldn't have done that if the GOP base was paying for it.

I always hate to introduce historical fact into the discussions of the Iraq War, but the Dems voted for this also. Both parties were concerned only with getting re-elected and going to war was seen as attracting votes.

You don't need to live in a fantasy world to have a political viewpoint.

You do need to live in a fantasy world to think that one party is more or less morally good or more truthful than the other.

Was the price of oil from Iraq under the Oil for Food set by the UN or by market pressures?