Was Khrushchev right?

When Secretary of Agriculture, under Dwight Eisenhower, Ezra Taft Benson met with Nikita Khrushchev, Khrushchev said something very interesting.

You Americans are so gullible. No, you won’t accept communism outright, but we’ll keep feeding you small doses of socialism until you’ll finally wake up and find you already have communism. We won’t have to fight you. We’ll so weaken your economy until you’ll fall like overripe fruit into our hands.

Is this not exactly what is happening in America right now? I'm not sure if it is Russia that is "feeding" us "small doses of socialism", but the small doses are coming. With that said the same is true for the economy. I doubt it is Russia that is weakening our economy, but it has certianly been weakened.

So, was Khrushchev right?

-E-

[edit on 27-5-2009 by MysterE]

Originally posted by MysterE
Is this not exactly what is happening in America right now?

Most brute force capitalist nations have evolved to use a lot of social policies.. it doesn't necessarily mean they are socialist. France isnt socialist, neither is the UK or Ireland etc. They try to look after the welfare of all citizens.

As economies grow, they need more control - as the populations grow, they need more governing... that means bigger government.. more taxes.. less wealth.. more poverty.. more welfare and BANG you are "Socialist".. but not really.

Anyway.. isn't the USSR capitalist now?

Communism is obviously a fools errand.. but brute force capitalism cant work either because not everyone is as intelligent or as innovative as the next person.. eventually that leads to poverty and crime so you need social policies to curb those proactively..

I think although right, it is far too simplistic. Smoke and mirrors runs this world, lol.

Democracy will always lead to socialism, because people are lazy.

reply to post by Dermo


Well said Dermo. I guess what I'm trying to say is has there been a active movement by certian powers to change the fundamental makeup of America?

-E-

reply to post by MysterE


That seems to be true.. I doubt its some kind of conspiracy though, more likely just the evolution of your country.

The vast majority of ideological communists are gone by the wayside these days.. it seems like a long shot that these kind of people are behind the social policies and big government that are after emerging in the US.. then again, this is a conspiracy site so you'd never know..

It looks like we are going to nationalize GM, the financial system, healthcare, and who knows what else. If the government runs everything, then you will have a socialistic and/or communistic society - Yes.

Our government is already and has long been tied to big industry, so we have never really had a free for all, capitalistic society in many decades, if we ever had one at all.

In 4 years, however, the American people can vote for another Ronald Reagan who will dismantle these artificial government supports. And we will be back on our way to crony capitalism, de-regulation, etc.

Whether rich elite capitalists run the country, or rich government bureaucrats, it really doesn't matter. In the end, it's all the same.

Originally posted by CookieMonster09
In 4 years, however, the American people can vote for another Ronald Reagan who will dismantle these artificial government supports.

Who is this "Ronald Reagan" type you speak of? I can't think of one Republican today who could be compared to Reagan. That's the GOP's problem. Their a bunch of McCains.

-E-

Originally posted by CookieMonster09
It looks like we are going to nationalize GM, the financial system, healthcare, and who knows what else. If the government runs everything, then you will have a socialistic and/or communistic society - Yes.

In a sense yes, but only out of necessity.. As soon as those companies are back on track and the economy is back on track.. those companies will be sold on. If they are not.. i would be getting worried if i were you.

Nationalized healthcare is nothing to be afraid of.. its not socialist btw.. thats just cold war propaganda still doing the rounds. Which would you prefer.. that your country spent your taxes on war or healthcare for everyone? If the free healthcare makes you socialist.. then what does the war make you??

Regulation of the financial system is OBVIOUSLY needed.. while that means a slightly less free market.. it doesn't mean its communist or socialist.

Im not one for big governments either but its plainly obvious that unchecked brute force capitalism is not sustainable... mainly because of plain old human greed.