Education for everyone, rich people paying their taxes like they are supposed to, free health care? I like the sound of that.

I think that the philosophy of socialism is better than the philosophy of the current neocons, which is, we invade other countries to spread Democracy. The neocon philosophy doesn't work because we can't invade countries to spread Democracy because they may not want that.

I just think we need a different approach. What's so wrong about socialism? Why shouldn't people get more benefits? They need more health benefits since their companies don't give employees them.

I like how socialist policies usually take a stance in favor of worker's rights. Workers need rights.

I think that this socialism label is just thrown around too much and it's been given a negative label by conservatives.

What's so bad about socialism?

It is right around the corner.

Socialism isn't a bad thing. It just isn't something I want or want to see. I believe it makes people less productive in life. Why work hard if you are still going to get an equal share? Why study? Would you still have rich people in a socialist society? I also don't like the way it makes the people dependent upon the government rather than the other way around.

A lot of people confuse socialism with the Nazis version of "national socialism" which was not exactly true socialism. The Nazis were thugs controlling the population with brute force. A fascist dictatorship and/or centralized totalitarianism, which is what the Soviet Union was, is not socialism.

Socialism as enjoyed currently in Scandanavian countries and The Netherlands is quite good or that's my impression, anyway.

I am an isolationist. I do not believe in funding 300 U.S. military bases around the world. I believe in a military for the purpose of defening our shores and that's it. Also, I believe that we should not fund foreign aid until there is no poverty whatsoever remaining here in the USA.

I'm for well managed social programs that will eradicate poverty and support a high standard of living for what has traditionally been called "the middle class" or the "working class". In Sweden and The Netherlands, they have a higher average standard of living, more purchasing power, and about triple the vacation time off each year than Americans. They stay out of foreign wars and don't give money out like candy.

I mean, I still would like to see parts of our free market kept in tact, but I just think we should adopt some of the socialism principles within our economy. I don't think we need to radically change our economy's philosophy really, but, I just think that we need more equality, and, I think that socialism really pushes for that. I think capitalism divides all of us away from each other.

People would like to think that there's some type of system that will set them free. Maybe we're all deluded that really exists anywhere or even in death, but actually just in our own minds. Which reminds me of a Clint Eastwood movie: "You're a legend in you're own mind."

Money is the issue, get rid of the money and no more issue. Socialism on paper is greet but it still is based in a monetary system and therefore will always have issues and an elite group of people, as long is there is any kind of money there will be competitions,lies, and politics, but the good points of socialism are great. I would also argue that plenty of people would be motivated knowing they don't have to kill themselves to get there "share" it would personally free me up to do more of my artwork, creations, build things that are needed, carpentry, read, be informed, help others since I would have the time to do so, if anything going to work at a job i despise to make a buck takes far more energy, time and resources and makes me less likely to excel in my personal areas of interest. I can only imagine some of the technologies and solutions we could come up with should none of have to do things we don't want or work where we don't want and just work on common goals that better humanity as a whole. Thank you for your time.

Okay, ya'll go play stick your hands in each others pockets and enslave each other if you so desire, what do I care. Just do it on a voluntary bases and count me out. Do not force those that don't want to play that Roobing Hoodlum enslavement game into doing so, that would be morally wrong! I am nobody's pawn or slave and will not subscribe to any such kind of use and abuse and dictatorship over me and my life. I prefer freedom to choose my own fate and destiny and to succeed or fail based upon my own merit and worth and efforts. Socialism never works and eventually takes everyone down with it when it fails.

Go live in Cuba for a while and tell me in a couple of years if you still like socialism....

A recent survey found that the highest average quality of life and not surprisingly the happiest people on the planet are in Norway, which is a pretty socialist system.

The American system is where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer regardless. Most people I know have a good work ethic and don't want to sit around and collect a welfare check. So just look at Norway. People there work hard, but are happier, have social programs in place so that they do not suffer and they have plenty of freedom.

Here in America, what we are feeling the brunt of now is greed. Greedy rich folk ripping off the average guy,

If not socialism, I would be for the way of life we had in the USA in the 1950s.
Back in the fifties (after the Korean war), we weren't looking to get overextended in foreign wars, we were all prudent with money, ethics were held in high esteem, institutions were supportive of a strong middle class and there were reasonable regulations in place that prevented rip-offs. We have gotten away from that way of life. Sure, people didn't have so many material possessions but were a lot happier than debt-ridden people are now. In the fifties, there were no credit cards. Cars were priced within reach of the average guy. People weren't in business to rip each other off.

If it takes socialism to get us back to a sane and good quality way of life, I'm all for it.

Mind you, no dictators.

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
I want Socialism

Well, unfortunately for a lot of us, it looks like you'll get your wish. So I would just sit back and see what happens.

All of y'all that are so fearful of socialism, look at Norway, Sweden, and The Netherlands and tell me, specifically, what's wrong with them?

Hey, why not just get back to the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights?

The Fed is unconstitutional. The I.R.S. is unconstitutional. The Bill of Rights went out with The Patriot Act.

Originally posted by Fletcher33
With much due respect... do you believe that you are currently in a system where you fail or succeed based on your efforts?

I am. I can't speak for everyone else though.

What if your fired? laid off.

I don't work for another, I provide for myself, myself.

What if the way in which you earn your money is taking from you,

Taken? Just try, and I'll bite back, hard.

get very sick? Have to go on public assistance?

Then I fail and die. I would prefer to die before ever thinking of involuntarily forcing you to become my slave and personal saviour.

I don't see how anyone living in America can say that they are "free".

Then lets fix that so we all can say so.

We are totally dependent on the government for our food, water, energy and

Lets fix that too.

... and that is a predominantly a Socialist Democracy.

Doesn't mean that will always be the case. Socialism involves enslavement. Given enough time, the stranglehold on your lives will get worse. Eventually people will no longer be able to bear it, as more is taken from them than what they get in return. Eventually they will realize they will be better off if they use their own resources to take care of themselves instead of trying to take care of the world. The last straw always breaks the camels back. We can talk more next spring when their economy collapses too.

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
What's so bad about socialism?

Before we even start with this...I have reason to suspect that you, and most other people, cant discern between:

liberal
social democratic
socialist
communist

Am I wrong?