The Democrats Stumble Toward 50 Shades of Socialism

[xChurch]

Nonsense. America's best days were built on small business driven free economy and individuals working for their own interest and financial gain. The world's, for that matter.

Except thats not even close to true.

[Snakeseye0]

What's wrong with socialism?

[Ehrenpanzer]

Well...I suppose that's still better then the Republicans "50 Shades of Nazism" the Trump/Palin crowd seeming to be gaining traction with

[slickwilly]

I think he averages about 5 a day. He never posts a comment with the OP though which annoys the shit out of me. When does post in his thread, its usually some smug ass comment that belittles you.

I'm guessing 300+ lbs and a little pecker

[Zarc]

My understanding is that socialism is a word with multiple meaning, as with many other words in most languages.

One meaning of the word socialism is to denote a family of political ideologies, that is contrasted by liberalism, conservatism and other families of political ideologies.

Another meaning of the word socialism is to denote an economic system, which is contrasted by capitalism.

Very few countries in the world have socialism as an economic system, most have capitalism, including every high-income economy whose form of government is liberal democracy.

Most countries have a party or more that have a political ideology that is part of the family of political ideologies that is known as socialism. In Western countries the most common of which is social democracy, which is a socialist political ideology that does not want the economic system of socialism but rather favors the mixed economy or the social market economy as an economic system which is defined as a form of capitalism.

Less common is those who describe themselves as democratic socialist. According to what I have read in academic sources this is a socialist political ideology that does want socialism as the economic system. Bernie Sanders describes himself as a democratic socialist. So I guess he wants to scrap capitalism in favor of socialism? Nah, I don't think so. He is a socialist, sure, but I'd say he is a social democrat, not a democratic socialist. Despite him going on talkshows to describe to the American people what democratic socialism means, I am quite sure he is wrong on this one, and is confused about what it really mean as he usually says. He is another type of socialist, namely a social democrat.

[Endus]

It's more prosperous as long as you are committed to a total present tense enjoyment and have given up on your society having any sort of solvent or sustainable future, sure. If the longitudinal duties from one generation to the next hold no sway over your public policy making, it's easy to have a grand time. And that ship has indeed largely sailed for Western Europe and is at least pulling its mooring for the United States, and we can owe most of that to "more socialist than ever".

This is a giant mess of word salad.

By any objective measure whatsoever, the Western world has attained levels of prosperity unseen at any point prior in the world's history, both in absolute terms, and per-capita.

[-Nurot]

who believe in a robust redistribution of wealth (“from each according to her ability, to each according to his need”)

So the "journalist" in question has actually convinced themselves that there are countries where wealth is earned based on a person's ability? Where's that? Not in America where he (the Time writer) lives.

So in a country such as that, prices would not go higher for simply being a name brand. Worker's might even earn a livable wage holding just one job. Companies wouldn't take jobs overseas because it might actually pay it's workers reasonably.

Rich presidential candidates inherit their wealth and companies. Actors/actresses beget actors/actresses. Who better to be rich and famous than the spawn of the rich and famous right?

From what I can tell it seems like its pretty bi-partisan for the country to have come to the grips with the reality that crony capitalism has run rampant and there is little anyone can do to stop it.

But, maybe another opinion piece on Socialism based on the preconceived notion of Capitalism/No regulation is good and Socialism/Government is bad, is exactly what we needed to fix things? Makes me wonder if they're getting overpaid writing for Time based on their ability...

[Xeones]

Nonsense. America's best days were built on small business driven free economy and individuals working for their own interest and financial gain. The world's, for that matter.

Thanks to the socialist policies that allowed people to do so in the first place.

[Gheld]

As long as the market trades in money instead of barter it's a socialist market.

Because even if we went back to the "almighty" gold standard the money itself would still hold no value without societal cooperation.

Your dollar is worth a dollar to me because it's illegal for me to treat it as anything but a dollar for all debts public or private. Which essentially makes participation in commerce a publicly supported right. If you have the dollar and I'm selling the thing for the dollar and you give me the dollar I have to give you the thing.

In a truly free market even if that thing is food and the guy with the dollar is starving I should be allowed to make him starve. But that's not the case.

[Hooked]

Vladimier lenins quotes sound a lot like the new democrat platform.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/quo...ir_Ilich_Lenin

Heres one for example:

“The goal of Socialism is Communism.”
― Vladimir Ilich Lenin

[Xeones]

Vladimier lenins quotes sound a lot like the new democrat platform.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/quo...ir_Ilich_Lenin

Heres one for example:

“The goal of Socialism is Communism.”
― Vladimir Ilich Lenin

Interesting claim, the idea isn't to replace democracy or capitalism but to fix problems that exist within capitalism while maintaining the strong points.

[Pangean]

Vladimier lenins quotes sound a lot like the new democrat platform.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/quo...ir_Ilich_Lenin

Heres one for example:

“The goal of Socialism is Communism.”
― Vladimir Ilich Lenin

That sound like the democrat platform to you? Please cite an example from the platform that sounds like what you have quoted since you claimed it was an example.

[Deianeira]

Or like that old Paul Simon tune, "Fifty Ways to Leave Economic Prosperity(For the 1%)".

Corrected that for you.

[Draco-Onis]

If democrats are stumbling towards socialism, what are the Ted Cruz / Donald Trump republicans stumbling towards?

[maomoa]

If democrats are stumbling towards socialism, what are the Ted Cruz / Donald Trump republicans stumbling towards?

A Plutocracy. See Koch brothers.

[Chain Chungus]

My understanding is that socialism is a word with multiple meaning, as with many other words in most languages.

One meaning of the word socialism is to denote a family of political ideologies, that is contrasted by liberalism, conservatism and other families of political ideologies.

Another meaning of the word socialism is to denote an economic system, which is contrasted by capitalism.

Very few countries in the world have socialism as an economic system, most have capitalism, including every high-income economy whose form of government is liberal democracy.

Most countries have a party or more that have a political ideology that is part of the family of political ideologies that is known as socialism. In Western countries the most common of which is social democracy, which is a socialist political ideology that does not want the economic system of socialism but rather favors the mixed economy or the social market economy as an economic system which is defined as a form of capitalism.

Less common is those who describe themselves as democratic socialist. According to what I have read in academic sources this is a socialist political ideology that does want socialism as the economic system. Bernie Sanders describes himself as a democratic socialist. So I guess he wants to scrap capitalism in favor of socialism? Nah, I don't think so. He is a socialist, sure, but I'd say he is a social democrat, not a democratic socialist. Despite him going on talkshows to describe to the American people what democratic socialism means, I am quite sure he is wrong on this one, and is confused about what it really mean as he usually says. He is another type of socialist, namely a social democrat.

All of this was spot on, but I'll respond the the bolded part:

I noticed this right away too. I think he didn't want to call himself a social democrat purely for rhetorical reasons: to follow his independent streak.