Destroy Socialism. No, Bernie isn't your savior

a reply to: Puppylove

What do you mean when it comes into conflict?

Humanity has the option of where the money goes. We control who makes profits in a free market. In a centralized style of government you have no choice. Government picks the winners and losers.

Don't confuse corporatism with capitalism.

a reply to: Puppylove

To paraphrase Winston Churchill. . .

Capitalism is the worst form of economy there is. Until you compare it to every other style of economy.

originally posted by: Puppylove
Capitalism is no savior either. By it's very nature when it comes into conflict, profit will always win over what's actual better for humanity.

That's the reason our founders set up our Federal government! To be referees to protect the people! Blame the Corporations all you want, but if it wasn't for the political whores who make an extravagant lifestyle off of fleecing the people they pander too only BEFORE they our up for re election and those who are holding out their hands in ignorance for more? These people would have no power over us!

The power they have is the power we allow them to have by electing them over and over and over and over again.

TERM LIMITS!!

a reply to: DBCowboy

I prefer thinking that's only because we gave up trying to figure out a better one.

All Socialism policies require Capitalism.

Some Capitalism policies require Socialism.

All Dictatorships fail because they require more Socialism than Capitalism.

Socialism squanders human potential and innovation by diminishing incentives and over restricting, and capitalism misdirects innovation by putting the focus on what creates profit over what actual benefits humanity, in doing so often innovating against humanities interests in the name of profit.

a reply to: Puppylove

We are an imperfect species with too many flaws to even start describing. We have an imperfect system that fits us.

We've yet evolved to fit into a perfect system.

a reply to: DBCowboy

No actually, our system does not fit us. It preys upon our worst traits, while punishing our best.

originally posted by: Puppylove
Socialism squanders human potential and innovation by diminishing incentives and over restricting, and capitalism misdirects innovation it by putting the focus on what creates profit over what actual benefits humanity, in doing so often innovating against humanities interests in the name of profit.

The way I see it is that equality has now become not an issue of opportunity, but an issue of outcome. In other words, screw the guy/gal who is more qualified for the job, in the name of Social Justice, we should feel guilty enough to give it to someone who is lesser qualified and didn't work hard enough to EARN it!

Socialism always tends to destroy itself. Only free market reform has saved socialist countries from themselves.

a reply to: Puppylove

What innovation hasn't benefited humanity?

If there was no benefit then nobody would pay for it. It's what you call a win win. Thomas Edison invented the light bulb and that made many people rich and many people benefited from the light bulb and the innovation of the electrical age. You could say the same of most all of the important inventions and innovations over the years. The telephone, the internet, the refrigerator, air conditioning, the list goes on and on.

a reply to: seeker1963

Too much emphasis on work. We have the ability to eliminate most jobs in the first place and it's growing. But we won't because labor is the backbone of our broken economy. So much human potential is wasted doing monotonous bull# all for profit to fulfill short term emotional wants rather than long term human needs.

We waste so much human potential on this #. We'd get a lot further as a species if we did more to encourage people to pursue their potential over filling some brainless 9 to 5 simply to afford a basic living and leaving no time or resources with which to fulfill their potential.

I don't care about your stupid who gets paid more and whether they deserve it on a monotonous brainless 9 to 5, the whole thing is pretty much a waste of time in the first place and can and should be made obsolete asap.

Labor is an absurd thing to have as the backbone of life. It's a waste of the human mind.

a reply to: FauxMulder

That's a complex question. Innovation takes many forms, not just technological. Innovation can take the form of how to sell something people don't need or manipulating people into falling into economic pitfalls like perpetual debt. It includes snake oil salesmen, coming up with new ways to prey on human ignorance, so many ways to prey on people. A hypothetical example, which some believe and some do not, is that one profits more with a treatment than a cure. A cure is better for humanity, but a treatment is better for a company cause it allows them to continually prey upon the dependent consumer. The capitalist system rewards those who enslave people to expensive life long treatments over those who come up with a one time cure.

Free market capitalism can only be maintained given an abundance in resources. Unfortunately, that's not the case:

www.theguardian.com...

a reply to: Puppylove

I would say people need to be smart and know when they're talking to a snake oil salesman. Horrible debt is a bad hole for people to get trapped in and it takes an effort to make sure you're as wise as possible with things like credit cards and loans.

That's a great example. I know in many cases it is cheaper and easier to treat the symptoms but that's usually for mundane things that aren't life threatening. For things like cancer and more serious illnesses it would mean that there are a crap ton of heartless people that have chosen profits over a cure. I'm not saying that isn't the case but I like to think most people have a better heart than that.

a reply to: FauxMulder

How are people supposed to be smart when their life is spent slaving away in 9-5's and by time they get home, they're too tired to do anything actually productive to educate themselves? Not to mention an education system that teaches tests rather than critical thinking.

a reply to: Puppylove
I actually think we're currently undergoing a transition period of moving into an automated/robotic workforce which will inevitably push in the direction you're wanting. However though much of the technology exists - it's still going to take time for it to all come together in all the major industries - and on top of that there needs to be a major shift in our societal mindset - which cannot be rushed. There's also the issue of geo-politics, and waiting for other nations to catch up before this utopian reality can really be pushed ahead. Realistically we're still multiple decades away. It is important for this conversation to be had though as it'll require a massive shift in our way of thinking to really make the jump.

Until then though I do believe a open, free market is the best approach to getting there.

a reply to: Navieko

That conversation is what I'm trying to have. Artificially trying to delay it, and purposely doing everything possible to fight it rather than begin making the steps necessary to prepare for it can result in a very messy and disastrous transition.

Give me a link, a video, ANYTHING that says that Bernie advocated for the Government to take over business and ownership of land.

People use and understand socialism WRONG.

We use it to mean having more safety nets for the poor, and possibly expanded government involvement in things like healthcare - Not a huge amount different than say medicaid, just applying to a broader audience.

a reply to: Puppylove

Not everyone slaves away 9-5 and if they do and don't like it they are free to change it. People should try to pursue a career that they enjoy. If anyone feels like they can't change what they are doing the only thing stopping them is themselves.