POLL: The GOP and "Socialism"

[BlackSand]

Changed a word, makes the quote fit

The highest average is still the average ...
I have no problem with people whose passion is average.

.

.​

 

[whitehall]

Would you say the constant use of the term is mostly to fire up the base?

Of course it is. Most people are too dumb to navigate politics without buzzwords that help them see everything in black and white. The world is too confusing in color.

It's interesting that the left seems to rely on confusion these days when the democrat party is in the process of clarifying their lurch to socialism. Confusion may be the last resort of the democrat party but it doesn't work in the age of information.

 

[forkup]

When you take away the incentive for people to improve themselves, learn marketable skills, and want to work to attain things then the end is near. Socialism/Communism is against human nature, and always evolves in a Totalitarian Regime where only the few, elites benefit.

This might be the best summary of socialism I have ever read. When you get past the murder, corruption, and authoritarianism, you get the more subtle threat. I have never heard a democrat give a response to the outright destruction of a person's incentive to learn and improve themselves. Socialism is like a spiritual death that leaves you hollow. That scares the crap out of me.

Do you realize that socialism is not the same as Communism? You can't just use the terms like they are interchangeable. As to taking away the incentive to improve. I live in a country that has a lot of social programs, programs that make it possible for me to not work if I'd so choose. The thing is, if I wouldn't, I would not own my own house, I would not drive a Mercedes and my kid wouldn't have a nice nest egg when I pass. The fact that I never have to fear that I won't have food or a roof over my head doesn't change my motivation to have the best possible live. The difference being that no matter what happens, the quality of my life won't fall below a certain level.

 

[BlackSand]

My bad. The saved money is borrowed by congress. The point is the program is entirely self sustaining and is not making our debt worse.

The money isn't saved if it is borrowed.
The money isn't borrowed if Congress never has any intention of paying it back.
Congress cannot pay it back because they constantly spend more than they receive ...

.​

 

[Tehon]

When you take away the incentive for people to improve themselves, learn marketable skills, and want to work to attain things then the end is near. Socialism/Communism is against human nature, and always evolves in a Totalitarian Regime where only the few, elites benefit.

This might be the best summary of socialism I have ever read. When you get past the murder, corruption, and authoritarianism, you get the more subtle threat. I have never heard a democrat give a response to the outright destruction of a person's incentive to learn and improve themselves. Socialism is like a spiritual death that leaves you hollow. That scares the crap out of me.

Spirituality for you is intertwined with monetary gain. Modern American society is plagued by that type of thinking.

 

[EGR one]

Our conservative posters continue to start thread after thread pertaining to "socialism". And even though their exact definitions are fairly unclear, it's obvious they think that screaming SOCIALISM is, by itself, enough to win a debate.

As most of us can see, more and more people are becoming perfectly comfortable with the word - in part, no doubt, because the Right has completely over-used and diluted it.

How long before the Right realizes the term "socialism" no longer scares people?
.

If it doesn't scare people, it should. Socialism is a race to the bottom, and third world status. There are many books written on what motivates people to work hard and/or excel in their endeavors. Socialism is not a positive factor.

What is your definition of the word, and how does you definition apply to the Democratic Party?
.

Many books have been published on the various forms that socialism takes, and none lend themselves to a short definition on a message board. Socialism, as it applies to the current Democrat Party, can better be defined as redistribution of wealth from those who work for a living to those that do not. Free college, free healthcare, free housing, and free food. Those who work and pay taxes get the privilege of footing the bill. I call it buying votes.

Well, that's quite different from the traditional definition of socialism, which is government ownership of production and distribution, little if any private property.

Do you know that the Democrats' models are the Nordic countries, and France & Germany? Do you consider those countries "socialist" because they redistribute more than we do?
.

Socialism is like a cancer that has no cure. It does not spread evenly or at the same rate in all victims, but it is always deadly.

 

[forkup]

Changed a word, makes the quote fit

The highest average is still the average ...
I have no problem with people whose passion is average.

.

.​

Seems that the "highest average" like you put is a higher average then the US can achieve.

 

[EGR one]

When you take away the incentive for people to improve themselves, learn marketable skills, and want to work to attain things then the end is near. Socialism/Communism is against human nature, and always evolves in a Totalitarian Regime where only the few, elites benefit.

This might be the best summary of socialism I have ever read. When you get past the murder, corruption, and authoritarianism, you get the more subtle threat. I have never heard a democrat give a response to the outright destruction of a person's incentive to learn and improve themselves. Socialism is like a spiritual death that leaves you hollow. That scares the crap out of me.

Spirituality for you is intertwined with monetary gain. Modern American society is plagued by that type of thinking.

Yes, modern American society is plagued by the idea that if one works harder and smarter, one can improve their living standards and move up in society. How shallow a thought process.

 

[Tehon]

When you take away the incentive for people to improve themselves, learn marketable skills, and want to work to attain things then the end is near. Socialism/Communism is against human nature, and always evolves in a Totalitarian Regime where only the few, elites benefit.

This might be the best summary of socialism I have ever read. When you get past the murder, corruption, and authoritarianism, you get the more subtle threat. I have never heard a democrat give a response to the outright destruction of a person's incentive to learn and improve themselves. Socialism is like a spiritual death that leaves you hollow. That scares the crap out of me.

Spirituality for you is intertwined with monetary gain. Modern American society is plagued by that type of thinking.

Yes, modern American society is plagued by the idea that if one works harder and smarter, one can improve their living standards and move up in society. How shallow a thought process.

Do you find that material gains are spiritual?

 

[JBond]

Our conservative posters continue to start thread after thread pertaining to "socialism". And even though their exact definitions are fairly unclear, it's obvious they think that screaming SOCIALISM is, by itself, enough to win a debate.

As most of us can see, more and more people are becoming perfectly comfortable with the word - in part, no doubt, because the Right has completely over-used and diluted it.

How long before the Right realizes the term "socialism" no longer scares people?
.

Venezuela crisis: How did we get here?

Thread over...

 

[Pilot1]

Do you find that material gains are spiritual?

Are you asking me? If so, no, I do not find material possessions spiritual, but I do find them essential for life. It is hard to be spiritually fulfilled though when you are starving, homeless, without a means of transportation, etc.

 

[Mac1958]

Our conservative posters continue to start thread after thread pertaining to "socialism". And even though their exact definitions are fairly unclear, it's obvious they think that screaming SOCIALISM is, by itself, enough to win a debate.

As most of us can see, more and more people are becoming perfectly comfortable with the word - in part, no doubt, because the Right has completely over-used and diluted it.

How long before the Right realizes the term "socialism" no longer scares people?
.

If it doesn't scare people, it should. Socialism is a race to the bottom, and third world status. There are many books written on what motivates people to work hard and/or excel in their endeavors. Socialism is not a positive factor.

What is your definition of the word, and how does you definition apply to the Democratic Party?
.

Many books have been published on the various forms that socialism takes, and none lend themselves to a short definition on a message board. Socialism, as it applies to the current Democrat Party, can better be defined as redistribution of wealth from those who work for a living to those that do not. Free college, free healthcare, free housing, and free food. Those who work and pay taxes get the privilege of footing the bill. I call it buying votes.

Well, that's quite different from the traditional definition of socialism, which is government ownership of production and distribution, little if any private property.

Do you know that the Democrats' models are the Nordic countries, and France & Germany? Do you consider those countries "socialist" because they redistribute more than we do?
.

Socialism is like a cancer that has no cure. It does not spread evenly or at the same rate in all victims, but it is always deadly.

Do you feel that America has any socialist elements?
.

 

[Mac1958]

Venezuela crisis: How did we get here?
Thread over...

Is Venezuela the only example of socialism? Can you think of any others?
.

 

[BlackSand]

Seems that the "highest average" like you put is a higher average then the US can achieve.

A penny is a penny ... No matter how much you may think it being shiny makes it way better ...

.

.​

 

[DOTR]

Our conservative posters continue to start thread after thread pertaining to "socialism". And even though their exact definitions are fairly unclear, it's obvious they think that screaming SOCIALISM is, by itself, enough to win a debate.

As most of us can see, more and more people are becoming perfectly comfortable with the word - in part, no doubt, because the Right has completely over-used and diluted it.

How long before the Right realizes the term "socialism" no longer scares people?
.

Socialism doesn’t scare socialists. That’s nothing new.

 

[forkup]

Our conservative posters continue to start thread after thread pertaining to "socialism". And even though their exact definitions are fairly unclear, it's obvious they think that screaming SOCIALISM is, by itself, enough to win a debate.

As most of us can see, more and more people are becoming perfectly comfortable with the word - in part, no doubt, because the Right has completely over-used and diluted it.

How long before the Right realizes the term "socialism" no longer scares people?
.

Venezuela crisis: How did we get here?

Thread over...

Only if you can find 1 example of a Democrat that claimed Venezuela is an example to aspire to. Otherwise you are using a straw man argument. When Bernie or Ocassio-Cortez speak they call themselves social Democrats and they aspire to the systems that are applied in other Social Democracies. Citing the disaster of Venezuela as an example of the failure of a system the Democrats aspire to is a straw man. And now if you are honest this reply to the thread should be over.

 

[Confounding]

You can't just use the terms like they are interchangeable.

Have you ever met a Republican? Good luck.

 

[forkup]

Seems that the "highest average" like you put is a higher average then the US can achieve.

A penny is a penny ... No matter how much you may think it being shiny makes it way better ...

.

.​

If you think 2 years of extra life expectancy for less then half the cost is a penny go right ahead.

 

[JBond]

Venezuela crisis: How did we get here?
Thread over...

Is Venezuela the only example of socialism? Can you think of any others?
.

Non Marxist-Leninist Socialist Countries

• Bangladesh (1971-)
• Guinea-Bissau (1973-)
• Guyana (1980-)
• India (1976-)
• North Korea (1992-)
• Nepal (2015-)
• Portugal (1976-)
• Sao Tome (1975-)
• Sri Lanka (1985-)
• Tanzania (1964-)
• Algeria (1963-1989)
• Burma (1962-1988)

Former Non Marxist-Leninist Socialist Countries

• Cape Verde (1975-1992)
• Egypt (1958-2007)
• Iraq (1968-2003)
• Libya (1969-2011)
• Madagascar (1975-1992)
• Sudan (1973-1985)
• Syria (1963-2012)

Former Marxist-Leninist Countries

• Afghanistan (1978-1992)
• Albania (1946-1992)
• Angola (1975-1992)
• Benin (1975-1990)
• Bulgaria (1946-1990)
• Cambodia (1975-1989)
• Congo (1975-1992)
• Czechoslovakia (1946-1990)
• Ethiopia (1974-1991)
• East Germany (1949-1990)
• Hungary) (1949-1989)
• North Korea 1948-1992 (in 1992, all references to Marxist-Leninism were scrubbed. Remains generic "socialist" state)
• Mongolia (1924-1990)
• Mozambique (1975-1990) (my mom who is Portuguese lived here during this time)
• Poland (1945-1989)
• Romania (1947-1989)
• Somalia (1969-1991)
• Soviet Union (1922-1991)
• North Vietnam (1945-1975) (then they won the war)
• South Yemen (1967-1990)
• Ukraine (1919-1991)
• Yugoslavia (1945-1992)

Current Marxist-Leninist countries include:

• China (soft-landing)
• Cuba (in progress)
• Laos (80% of population works in agriculture, one of the lowest annual incomes of any country in the world. 1/3 earn below $1.25 per day)
• Vietnam (I'm sure the government here is very much aware I just googled this to get that wikipedia page) (soft-landing)

 

[Missouri_Mike]

Our conservative posters continue to start thread after thread pertaining to "socialism". And even though their exact definitions are fairly unclear, it's obvious they think that screaming SOCIALISM is, by itself, enough to win a debate.

As most of us can see, more and more people are becoming perfectly comfortable with the word - in part, no doubt, because the Right has completely over-used and diluted it.

How long before the Right realizes the term "socialism" no longer scares people?
.

How long before the left recognizes the absolute failure and destruction socialism inevitably brings? You should be scared of it. It will destroy you and everything you have.