Socialism

[Typhoid]

Originally Posted by Professor S

Um, how did my first post not "get it"? I answered the question as it was asked, and so did Bond. He has nothing to apologize for.

You asked out thoughts on socialism, but you seem to think socialism is just a few socialist ideas, and this is incorrect. if you wanted to know our thought on European social democracies, you should have asked that question. You didn't.



That wasn't clear at all, honestly. Public Schools would have been a far better example to defend your point.

I missed the "From a post I made" part at the top. Not too good for multitask, plenty good for pretty.

but you seem to think socialism is just a few socialist ideas, and this is incorrect.

Stupidly commenting on this because an argument is bound to ensue - I'm aware of what socialism is. As I said. I am asking what peoples opinions are on socialism. From the broad, to the minute. What do you think of it as a whole, what do you think of specific ideas. Are you for/against - why? What ideas do you like, why/why not. That type of thing.

Also, I never told Bond to apologize.

And I was asking the opinion on the socialism that is all the rage now in the news. I figured it would be pretty obvious I wasn't talking Communism or any form of Marxism. I honestly thought it was fairly blatent that I was talking the type of socialism that the media is so afraid will happen in the U.S.

[Professor S]

Originally Posted by Typhoid

Stupidly commenting on this because an argument is bound to ensue - I'm aware of what socialism is. As I said. I am asking what peoples opinions are on socialism. From the broad, to the minute. What do you think of it as a whole, what do you think of specific ideas. Are you for/against - why? What ideas do you like, why/why not. That type of thing.

Ok, as whole (government policy) I think socialism is dehumanizing and inevitably crushes those it aims to help under it's own weight and devolves rather quickly into a authoritarian regime with few human rights.

As individual structures, I think it can work for small things when run locally, like in the public school system, but the larger it gets, the more unwieldy and ineffectual it becomes.

And I was asking the opinion on the socialism that is all the rage now in the news. I figured it would be pretty obvious I wasn't talking Communism or any form of Marxism. I honestly thought it was fairly blatent that I was talking the type of socialism that the media is so afraid will happen in the U.S.

Ok, but just to clarify, do you think either Bond or myself were referencing communism in our original posts?

[Typhoid]

Originally Posted by Professor S

Ok, but just to clarify, do you think either Bond or myself were referencing communism in our original posts?

No, but since there was mass confusion, I was blocking every other confusion-point I could.

[Professor S]

Originally Posted by Typhoid

No, but since there was mass confusion, I was blocking every other confusion-point I could.

Was my above opinion satisfactory?

[Typhoid]

B+.

[TheSlyMoogle]

Oh to come to this thread....

Anyone want to start another religion thread? Ahh the one from like 5 years ago was amazing.

Anyway...

I agree, why the hell can the US not get it's shit together? There's no reason that everyone shouldn't be afforded health care here. I'm not saying that there's an easy way to do it at all, but everyone should have it.

Education is another thing that really burns me. I have a semester of college until I can graduate and I'm just absolutely tapped out. I can get nothing more to help me finish, and I can't go back right now. All because A.) My Parents were like "Oh hey you're gay? Oh hey f you." and B.) SCHOOL COST TOO FUCKING MUCH.

There's no reason except for ass tons of money, that college shouldn't be free for everyone. Ya know?



Now for my opinion on Socialism:

Ok so the "Socialist Company" example. I get it. Although you're saying everyone gets paid equally sharing the profits so the person who works hardest and all that gets the same, well that's ok. Everyone does their part, and if the Company was doing so incredibly well they're all going to be doing well, you see? Plus, isn't the fact that the company does so well only because of you rewarding in and of itself?

I think my main problem with society is that everyone thinks they're doing more than someone else.

I really just think how much could we actually accomplish as a Nation and world if everyone was equal? What if everyone was afforded the same opportunities no matter to whom they were born and where? Eliminating a capitalist society ideally would eliminate poverty. Sometimes I sit and wonder, like seriously how many intelligent, capable people get fucked their entire life because they were born to a family who only makes 20K a year and is poor? Stuff like that. How limited has our Nation and world become because the majority of it is in poverty for the gains of a capitalist society? I mean think if we missed out on the next, I dunno... Einstein, because he died when he was 3 because of some totally curable disease that his family just couldn't afford to cure or Prevent?

Honestly I would be happy with my life if everyone was equal in society. I would be able to go to school, not have to worry about whether it was ok for me to study something because I might not make that much money when I graduate, but it could be something I actually love doing. I mean honestly what I would love to do with my life is research Abnormal Psychology (Schizophrenia, Bi-Polar Disorder etc.), but I chose Software Engineering because it was less school time for the same amount of money (Although I really do enjoy coding too).

Anyway I'm rambling now.

I saw Socialism all the way.

[Professor S]

Originally Posted by TheSlyMoogle

I really just think how much could we actually accomplish as a Nation and world if everyone was equal?

Therein lies the core problem with Socialism. It treats everyone as if they are the same, and this is untrue. Even Marx recognized this:

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his need."

The basic principle of Socialism/Communism/wealth redistribution is that those that achieve have the rewards of that achievement taken from them and given to those who do not achieve/achieve less, or even worse, given to those with no desire to achieve.

So in the end, where is the motivation to achieve? There is none, and those that the socialist construct depends on (the achievers) stop producing to the level that is needed. When you punish success, expect people to stop succeeding.

I would recommend everyone to take a Myer-Briggs self-analysis or D.I.S.C. to examine what your motivations are. I found mine very enlightening and it's helped me succeed by understanding what my strengths and weaknesses are.

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

If anyone is curious, I'm an ENTJ (Extrverssion, iNtuition, Thinking, Judgement).

[TheGame]

Originally Posted by TheSlyMoogle

I think my main problem with society is that everyone thinks they're doing more than someone else.

Socialism would not resolve that problem, it'd only add to it. Not only would people still feel like they're doing more then someone else, they'd be getting paid the same for it. Unfortunately not all people give equal imput into a society or even into a buisiness.. and not all people share equal responceability. Thus I don't think everyone should share equal rewards.

However I think health, education, and security are some main things that need to be handled by society collectively to an extent.