Poll: Americans May Be Warming Up to Socialism

www.aolnews.com...

Have the financial crisis and Wall Street shenanigans prompted Americans to give socialism another look?

A new survey suggests that the often-vilified political theory of shared economic responsibility isn't viewed as negatively as some might expect, and that the reviews for capitalism are decidedly mixed, considering it is the dominant economic philosophy.

In its survey of 1,004 Americans, the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press asked respondents about nine political words and phrases. "Family values" came out on top, drawing positive reactions from 89 percent of respondents, while "militia" elicited the most negative answers, with just 21 percent reacting positively.

Socialism was viewed positively by 29 percent of respondents as a whole, and found favor with 43 percent of those aged 18 to 29 and 44 percent of Democrats. By contrast, it was deemed positive by just 23 percent of respondents aged 50 to 64 and only 15 percent of Republicans.

Capitalism drew positive responses from only 52 percent of all Pew respondents, with a positive rating as low as 62 percent even from Republicans, and with 47 percent of Democrats and about half of independents reacting positively to the word.

Among 18- to 29-year-olds, capitalism was viewed positively by 43 percent -- the same as socialism -- and among Americans aged 50 to 64, the poll found 54 percent reacting positively.

Okay now Conservatives, Libertarians and Righties it's your que. Now you can enter with your fists dragging on the ground, your grunts loud and proud and banging your club all around.

ON!

Oh boy! Now cue various idiots choking on their cornflakes and looking for their nukes. Still, it is interesting that such a poll exists. Sometimes socialist posturing is a useful way of heading off civil instability. this is what happened in the UK just after the war. We couldn't have all those trainied fighters roaming the streets wondering why they had risk their lives to return to rubbish.

Great OP

[edit on 12-5-2010 by Tiger5]

Greece thought it was cool too!

Unless the Rep/Conservative movement (TPM and others) win in November (2010 & 2012) you can believe this country will be considered Socialist.

The problem with Socialism (paraphrasing Margret Thathcer) is, you run out of others people money.

And that is exactly it. But, instead of society being able to start right up into another type of name gov't/soceity is now more than 1/2 the country are slugs and sucking off the gov't teet.

But, I am convinced we will have much more problemactic issues to deal with by then. WAR. We are being set up for a Sucker Punch, by you know who-regardless if it is being done on purpose or not.

reply to post by Misoir


Whether people hold a negative or positive opinion on socialism this country will continue to be heavily dependent on 'socialist' policies (as defined by conservatives in general) regardless of who is in power. From the local tea party protester and their dependence on medicare, to the unemployed american who has run out of savings and now needs an extension on unemployment cheques from the government.

The country has never in its history been free of socialism. I do expect a number of replies coming in insisting otherwise, and I will gladly clarify why, what, where and when.

We predicted it would happen too.....and we were right.

They are not warming up to socialism....they are warming up to entitlements...like all humans will eventually if given enough.

The problem with socialism is...eventually you run out of other peoples money.

And the united states is broke...socialism will be the death knell of this country.

oh and * grunt bang grunt bang grunt grunt bang grunt*

reply to post by tauempire


Or, and I am going out on a limb here, maybe it is that people are sick of a corrupt electoral and legislative system that is pervesed by moneyed special interests and an economic system that takes excess work from the workers and gives it to the owners who do not produce the labor while paying themselves $100,000 and their workers $20,000.

But, like I said, I am going out on a limb here.

reply to post by tauempire




[edit on 5/12/10 by Misoir]

Of course the most attractive thing about socialism to the globalists (just as it was in the other countries who have tried it) is the money that can be skimmed off the top by the elite "managers" & "administrators" for their "benevolent" projects. We have had a taste of that already with the tremendous growth in "non profits". Also with the corporations who deflect responsibility for their negligence & greed in virtually everything they do and then crow about their "foundations" and "endowments" which are basically just tax shelters that benefit no one but themselves. Ever notice how so much of their munificence occurs in countries far removed from where the American people could ever see evidence of it? That isn't an accident.
I've heard the term "useless eaters" in the NWO dialogue. The upper echelon of the globalist movement are truly humanity's worthless wastes of flesh. They are parasites.
The "little people" (as they are so fondly referred to) are the host. Those who still can't come to terms with the reality that they were scammed by Dear Leader are mostly the ones who spam the forums & comments with their delusions.

reply to post by Misoir


You are certainly correct. Saccharine lies to cover that up won't make it any more palatable. The drumming of communist! accusations may have ceased long ago, but people are not as naive as they were back then and since the fall of the Soviet Union and it's aftermath, people are much more aware of the truth.

Good God, I am thinking lately that McCarthy may have been right. I'm hoping his reincarnate will be ready soon to take his place.

Americans from what i can see can ever have a law against illegal immigration, you all are immigrants from other countries after all. On this why not, socialism is not about entitlements from government its about an idea that everyone should be able to live a life.

But of course all ideas are corrupted, but americans have no right on earth to put up laws against immigrants when they are all immigrants themselves.

How many of those that favored socialism remember the Soviet Union? How many can explain the political ideas of Hitler, Stalin, Mao? Ask those in favor of socialism to explain what socialism is and how it works.

I dare say, that when they realize the above, they will join those that can answer the above questions...which is why the older the person, the less in favor of socialism they are...they remember the Soviet Union, they remember WWII, they remember the significance of nations going down the socialist path... they lived it.

How many members here know what Hitler's policies were beyond the Jewish Holocaust? How many ATS members remember seeing the empty shelves and produce rotting in the fields of Russia back in the 1970s and 80s? How many ATS members know of the millions that died in Russia and China from Stalin and Mao's policies that brought on mass starvation?

How many praise the generous government programs of Europe...mandatory vacations, extensive welfare for any need..how many would like 50-70% tax rates to support and pay for those programs?

No, socialism is a good idea in theory, but bad in practice... it removes the individual initiative to innovate and improve..not only ones lot in life, but of mankind in general.

Capitalism is not perfect, but I do see the results of my efforts...the harder I work, the better my lifestyle. If I want to be innovative or entrepreneurial...I can. If I want to sit on the couch and watch TV all day...I can. I must be aware though, that I get out what I put in.

Originally posted by Misoir
reply to post by tauempire

 

Or, and I am going out on a limb here, maybe it is that people are sick of a corrupt electoral and legislative system that is pervesed by moneyed special interests and an economic system that takes excess work from the workers and gives it to the owners who do not produce the labor while paying themselves $100,000 and their workers $20,000.

But, like I said, I am going out on a limb here.

And socialism fixes this? PLEASE! what you just desrcibed was greed. and its EVERYWHERE.

Go to a socialist country...what will you find? greed.

Go to a communist country(not that many left huh....maybe give you a hunch)what will you find.GREED!

The only difference is that capatalism and free markets give you a better income then socialist countries.

One could argue that people are happier in socialist countries....they would be right.

Who would not be happy with all the entitlement programs eventually?

Who would not like free healthcare?

Who would not like enormous amounts of vacation days.

Who would not like alot of welfare.

But eventually all those socialistic policies and mentalities add up onto the bill....and then your in debt...and then you cant pay it back and then your....GREECE!

Yep and then when the government tries to get rid of the entitlement programs.....people have become so dependent on the government that they cant live without the programs.

well technically they could...but they would have to start going to work.....and you know....do stuff the capatalistic way.

But they decide to riot instead because they grew up in such a socialist mentality and they are essentially a spoiled people....eventually the government just collapses because the people wont allow them to instate austerity measures...you know taking it up the rear because of those same policies they enjoyed so much.

Yep those greek people sure are happy....much happier then those in the united states.

OR maybe im just going out on a limp here?





[edit on 12-5-2010 by tauempire]

reply to post by AlreadyGone


I know, look at all of those western countries and their socialism. Now that you say something, that damn Kevin Rudd, Segolene Royal, Gordon Brown, Stephane Dion, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero they all remind of of Stalin.

I just can't believe every other western country in the world is part of the former Soviet Union and the Third Reich! I better make sure to move to Texas and never leave the Texas borders or the Communist/Nazi/ Socialists will get me!

Innovation

Property rights

Income

Development

Unemployment

Poverty

Debt

Before you respond I want you, and anyone else who thinks socialism is a system of laziness that stifles innovation, to read all of these and look at the countries of northern and western europe and canada. Don't go to the stereotypical socialist country that you like to fantsize about(i.e. Greece, Venezuela, Spain, Portugal, China, Russia, N. Korea, Vietnam) try and look at the real Social Democratic countries(i.e. Sweden, Norway, Germany, France, Canada, Australia).

Once you are done, then respond, until then I don't really care what you have to say.

[edit on 5/12/10 by Misoir]

Opinions of Socialism really don't matter because Socialism doesn't care about opinions.

Socialism denies individual liberty and thus the individual. It is a foolish form of social control best left to tyrants and dictators.

Just because one has a high opinion of a murderer doesn't make them any less a murderer. Socialism is a murderer.

reply to post by Misoir


Right Socialism is looked upon favorable, I still can’t believe some Idiots actually trust this government to do the right thing... Hello don’t you fools pay attention to what the hell is going on in Greece? And by all accounts Spain, Italy, and G.B are next...

No you don’t you can’t see past the tip of your own goofy noises... Really the American Government you clowns trust them to continue to run things in the ground??? The hell with it bring on the socialism so that can be the final cut that kills America.

NEWS FLASH IT DOESNT WORK.


EDIT TO ADD- Socialism will only work in two places, Heaven where it isn't warranted, and Hell where it isn't Necessary.

[edit on 12-5-2010 by poedxsoldiervet]

Originally posted by Misoir
reply to post by AlreadyGone

 

I know, look at all of those western countries and their socialism. Now that you say something, that damn Kevin Rudd, Segolene Royal, Gordon Brown, Stephane Dion, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero they all remind of of Stalin.

I just can't believe every other western country in the world is part of the former Soviet Union and the Third Reich! I better make sure to move to Texas and never leave the Texas borders or the Communist/Nazi/ Socialists will get me!

Innovation

Property rights

Income

Development

Unemployment

Poverty

Debt

Before you respond I want you, and anyone else who thinks socialism is a system of laziness that stifles innovation, to read all of these and look at the countries of northern and western europe and canada. Don't go to the stereotypical socialist country that you like to fantsize about(i.e. Greece, Venezuela, Spain, Portugal, China, Russia, N. Korea, Vietnam) try and look at the real Social Democratic countries(i.e. Sweden, Norway, Germany, France, Canada, Australia).

Once you are done, then respond, until then I don't really care what you have to say.

[edit on 5/12/10 by Misoir]

of course you dont...socialists are like that.

Originally posted by Southern Guardian
reply to post by Misoir

 

The country has never in its history been free of socialism. I do expect a number of replies coming in insisting otherwise, and I will gladly clarify why, what, where and when.

Hmmm you are wrong... What history books have you been reading? Socialism came about in America under that clown FDR and some can say even Woodrow Wilson. Before then it was a free market society, Not some sort of Social Utopia.

That's it dammit. No more billions in subsidies for Big Oil, Big Phrama and the Health Insurance industry. Let them sink or swim of their own. Oh, and Halliburton? We'll be needing a 1 trillion dollar refund for all the crap they botch since taking over all our government functionality in 2001. Like GI sheltering and food in Iraq and Afghanistan, where they electrocute troops in the showers with criminally faulty wiring. They also need to pony up for their hand in that gulf oil catastrophe. That'll be another trillion.

Yep. Screw those cheats and loafers with their hands in our pockets. Get them the hell off the government dole.

[edit on 12-5-2010 by NorEaster]

reply to post by tauempire


Agreed. Its not a surprise that socialism is gaining momentum in this country. Its all about entitlements. Everyone wants something for nothing. In the end, those entitlements will become too much for the taxpayers to bear (and we're already approaching that point), and soon enough, the whole system collapses...and all the while the socialists who have brought about the mess will claim the country failed because we weren't socialist enough.

The amazing thing is that the federal government is a total mess and very few would deny it, but many would reward our ineffective (to say the least) government leaders by providing them with more authority over our lives. Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

nice to see that they made a poll using political terms which describes that there are people in the u.s who care for others besides them selfs,