Many Americans are under the false assumption that “Socialism'” is a bad thing, and that it is the same thing as the former Soviet Union, or Castro’s Cuba, or Communist China, or Communist North Korea.
This is pure ignorance, and instead, one should look to the many democracies in Europe, who have “socialist” aspects of their political and economic systems.
But even beyond that, think about what it would be like if we did not have “socialism” in our political and economic system.
How would we like to do without the following:
1, Social Security
2. Medicare and Medicaid
3. The Post Office
4. Public Schools and Colleges and Universities
5. Libraries
6. Water Treatment Systems
7. Recreational Centers, including Gyms, Parks, Beaches
8. National Parks
9. Public Transit Systems, Trains, Subways, Buses
10.Police, Firefighters, Sanitation Services, Public Hospitals
11.Military Services and Protection
12.Labor Protections
13.Food and Drug Regulations
14.Environmental Protections
15.Financial Institutions Regulations
16.Transportation Safety Regulations
17.Housing Regulations
18.Energy Regulations
19.Military Veterans Protections
20.Homeland Security Protections
If one believes that all of the above should be privatized, as some conservatives and Republicans advocate, then we have a basic misunderstanding of what the best government is: a mixed socialist and capitalistic system in the public interest, instead of a business atmosphere which puts profits and business techniques above human beings and their welfare! Quality and cost efficiency require a combination of capitalism with socialism!
Hello Professor,
I just did a posting that noted to every hard working Middle Class citizen that their lively hoods and the pay they receive for that labor is under attack for what was once taken as a Worker’s Right since the Great Depression.
I am old enough to have seen the economic enslavement of “Company Coal Towns†that had their workers owning their souls to the “Company Store.â€
What we have here is another salvo being fired from the large guns of “Special Interest†targeted at the Middle Class working people from the GOP. A little noted provision in the House Republicans’ controversial “Energy and Transportation Bill†that would strip several thousand workers within the rail industry of their federal minimum wage and overtime protections, potentially making low wage jobs pay even less. If they do this to one industry, it will be just a matter of time before it moves to other industries using this “Chink In The Armor†as precedence for doing so to everyone else.
People really need to learn that Working Middle Class People are not Conservative Republicans.
I meant to put on the link as this does need to get out into the general public.
http://engineerofknowledge.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/bohica/
Thank you.
Dear Professor:
Even kids site How stuff works is more accurate than you are listing all these government institutions as a “proof” of “socialist” America http://money.howstuffworks.com/socialism6.htm.
I am chemical engineer and lived in US just 14 years, but I studied for years Marxism in socialist Russia. Your should withdraw your logo: “view from educated” left – I am sorry for my not polite request; you are entitled to your logo and opinion – being professor means “educated”, but this not guaranties “understanding”.
Your love for America reminds me old soviet joke – one communist asked: do you love you socialist motherland? Yes, of course, I love it with all my heart like I love my wife, but sometimes I want somebody else (I broke the rule – do not translate jokes). My “love” to soviet motherland brought me here, but where your love bring America – this is important question for me too (no jokes).
A Day in the Life of Joe Republican:
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/thom-hartmann-day-life-joe-middle-class-re