"ALL forms of socialism are BAD! EVIL!" chant the uninformed.

[LynnTheDem]

My response; "WHY do you hate our troops??! WHY don't you support our troops??!"

US Military. Tax-payer funded, for the defense of ALL Americans? Guess what definition that falls under.


To paraphrase DailyKOS;
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/03/29/1078852/-75-Ways-Socialism-Has-Improved-America#

Ever played in a public park? Camped in a national forest? Got garbage collection? Went to school? Got the right to vote? Ever made use of police, or fire services or ambulance? Collect social security?

Got a US Military? Highways? Roads? Postal system? Student loans, bridges. public landfills?

CIA? FBI? Polio vaccines? Museums? Jails? Veteran's Healthcare? Food stamps? Sewer systems? Elected government officials? Courts? GI Bill?

Unemployment insurance? Buses? Street lighting? Government scholarships? Bursaries?
Secret Service? Peace Corps? National Weather Service? Law?

The WhiteHouse? Government?


Those -and many more- are all socialist-democracy, and many were original to the United States of America, starting with the great American Revolution patriot, Thomas Paine.

Socialist Democracy: a country that uses both capitalist and socialist practices.

As every industrialized 1st-world nation does.

So guess what, America...

[NowSam]

1. The people are waking up

It seems to me that thanks to the perfectly clear message of Bernie and social media sites like Facebook where image memes are quickly absorbed, the people are waking up to the truth. The McCarthyism days and then the Reagan days brainwashed the nation through fear and intimidation to embrace vulture capitalism and shun any idea that was contrary to that. No one wanted to be labeled a commie or a socialist or a liberal.

Seems like the tide has turned. There is nothing so powerful as an idea who's time has come.

[nxylas]

11. And the M$M are pissed

I've read at least one op-ed piece that basically said "What's the matter with people? It's like screaming 'socialism, booga booga booga' isn't enough to scare them any more".

[malaise]

2. You forgot the sports stadia, all financed

by tax payer money and handed over to the 1%; not to mention the health care packages for the politicians.

[hibbing]

17. socialize the costs, privatize the profits

Not sure how many times I have posted this, but too many. It is American "capitalism" at its best. Socialize the costs and privatize the profits. It happens in all sectors of the economy.

Peace

[smirkymonkey]

25. Now that is something that pisses me off royally!

F**k sports. Not one dollar of taxpayer money should be going to fund sporting arenas when people are struggling to keep their heads above water.

[onecaliberal]

3. The give up your social security. Medicare.

Don't drive on the roads built with socialist money or use electricity.

[appalachiablue]

21. +1

[ladjf]

4. When I was just a young boy, my father enlightened me

of the true definition of a social Democracy. He cited things such as libraries, schools, fire and police protection, road construction just to mention a few of the things that are provided to citizens by their Government.

[MisterP]

5. it's 2015: they can only accuse any dissent of being controlled by the KGB for so many decades after

the actual USSR got dissolved

they've gotten so used to screaming "Commie" for over a century (to the point where even Reagan got Red-baited by 1987) that the rhetoric doesn't even know it's dead

[malaise]

18. The reality is that the Soviet politburo was a baby compared with its American

sibling.

[ShrimpPoboy]

6. Among Americans

Few people can coherently distinguish between communism, socialism, and socialist democracy. And explaining the differences will go right over most folks' heads, if they bother to listen at all.

I'd prefer to avoid the labels and stick to the policies they represent. There are a lot more liberals in the US than those who identify as such IMO.

[Duppers]

12. +100

[hifiguy]

7. Brainless baaing sheep.

Four legs good, two legs bad.

[kairos12]

8. One percent Socialism--socialize the losses, privatize profits.

[DiehardLiberal]

9. Tried to talk about this with my RW sister last night.

She isn't the brightest bulb and said but isn't he a "Socialist". These concepts went right past her. She said 50% of people these days won't work even though they are capable.. while a huge overstatement and simplification - overlooking that her own husband is unemployed. But of course, that would be "different".. And she works for the state gov in a low paying admin position. But believes in "capitalism". I said, how's that working out for you? She said not good but she believes in it..

Logic is not a strong suit of the conservatives.

[appalachiablue]

10. Thom Hartmann just covered your list on his radio progam & gave you & Kos credit.

K & R. Thanks for this great OP!

[LynnTheDem]

19. Thanks!

If I'd had any inkling, I would have put a lot more stuff on the list...LOL!

[BeanMusical]

13. Kick and R

[restorefreedom]

14. chris matthews is now on board

trying to paint bernie as a socialist who wants govt to take over business. and he knows better.

liar.

[LynnTheDem]

20. Tweety's always been an idiot.

No mind of his own; he just flips and flops back & forth at whim. Next to useless, he is.

[glinda]

15. Former MN Gov. Pawlenty (good riddance) was touting that message on MSNBC.

[pansypoo53219]

16. the RITE wingers HAD to tar socialism w/ COMMUNISM to fight HAVING TO SHARE!

[former9thward]

22. None of your examples are socialism.

Socialism is when the government owns production and dictates production. I wish people who post on socialism would at least know the definition. Any form of government can have examples of what you posted.

[LynnTheDem]

23. I agree, I too wish people knew the definition.

Who owns the US Military and dictates its use?

Who owns public roads and dictates their use?

But yes, any and most all forms of government have examples of socialism. Especially 1st world industrialized nations. And America.

Have a wonderful day!


Social democracy is 100% American
[link:http://billmoyers.com/2015/07/03/social-democracy-is-100-american/|

[former9thward]

30. Who owned the Roman army and dictated its use?

Who built and owned Roman roads and dictated their use? Who knew the Roman Empire was socialist? You learn something new everyday on this site...

[eridani]

24. Conservatives LOVE socialism--as long as it's reserved for white and/or rich people

Socialism = public goods. Traditionally, socialists thought that everything should be a public good--restaurants, department stores, etc. You have to look hard to find anyone who believes that these days though.

[leveymg]

28. The Right seems to forget the Pentagon is the most socialistic part of American society

Cradle to grave health care, free or subsidized higher education, paid housing, subsidized food and household goods, vast tracts of state owned land, trillions of dollars of state owned equipment. A military-industrial complex that drives the rest of the economy. The US military is the world's largest Socialist economy. So big, that most people can't even identify it for what it is.

[davidpdx]

26. Even DUers rant against socialism

How dare the government do anything for us.

[Uncle Joe]

27. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, LynnTheDem.

[redstateblues]

29. Nevertheless , Calling oneself a Socialist will not be an asset in the GE

All the explaining in the world will not change that and if Bernie wins you can be sure the opposition will have a field day with Socialism's connection to Marxism