Socialism is a bad thing; sociodemocracy is not.

Sorry for posting a separate thread, but I feel that it is important for people to know the exact definition of socialism. In socialism, the state owns everything, just like in communism, but in socialism there is still a small degree of ownership or resources, whereas in communism there is none. In classical Marx analysis, socialism is the previous stage from communism.

The European countries are sociodemocratic. Sociodemocracy is a system where the state applies heavy taxes to its citizens in order to fund public infrastructure and social services. Sociodemocracy allows the free market, unlike socialism.

In countries where there is little corruption, sociodemocracy has worked excellently (Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, France, Denmark, Finland, etc). In countries that there is heavy corruption, the taxes are being eaten by those in power (like in Greece, Italy, former USSR countries etc).

In America, you don't have socialism. You don't even have sociodemocracy. You have capitalism, since many things are funded by the private sector. It is only relatively recently that your politicians tried to apply some principles of sociodemocracy, through Medicaid, Medicare, and now the health care reform bill.

Personally, what I'd like to see in USA is a return to fair capitalism. The real problem in USA is that capitalism is no longer fair. Big corporations don't play by the rules any more. They try to monopolize the market through unethical tactics. The days of product superiority though innovative ideas are long gone. Business people's only concern is how to maximize their bonuses, making lots of harm in the process, either by outsourcing or fraud or lobbying. America would have a healthy economy and therefore none of the problems it has now if the game was fair.

Again, I apologize for the separate thread, but I'd like everyone to check the definition of socialism, since it's a central argument to those opposed to the current healthcare reform.

For a good (but long) discussion about socialism, please check this wikipedia link: en.wikipedia.org...

Depends on your perspective. I for one lived in Europe for 5 years.... No thanks, If a European system is what some people want, I invite them to go live there awhile. I would rather NOT see us turn into Europe.

As for "Responsible Capitalism" as I call it, I am with you. Anti-Monopoly Laws and anti-trust laws along with "Responsible Banking" and Insurance laws forbidding the integration of investment banks with savings & loans with Insurance companies needs to be reinstated.

Break up AT&T and Verizon, Break up the monster banks, Break up the media trusts. Inspire competition once again.

I live in the UK.

We don't have sociodemocracy.

A friend of mine is from France, she says they don't have sociodemocracy there.

In the UK and Europe, sociodemocracy is an idea... an interesting one at that, but it is just and idea.

In the UK and Europe, we have dictatorship.

An EU President no one voted for, a British Prime Minister NO ONE VOTED FOR, politicians that do not listen to the voters. Open and rampant corruption, and the list goes on.



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DICTATORSHIP.... it is the way forward; clearly you can see that.

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[edit on 29-3-2010 by dampnickers]