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George Pyle: Anything that isn't welfare for the rich is now 'socialism'
(snip)
A younger generation is more likely to associate the term with, well, the civilized world. The United Kingdom, France, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, etc., etc. Nations where the democratically elected government serves its constituents by setting tax rates high and putting the money toward a wide range of public services, everything from clean and efficient public transit to extended paid maternity leave to universal health care provided through one or another pipeline.
If socialism sounds radical pleasantly or not it is because the U.S. is so much like a Third World kleptocracy where all is set to transferring income from the bottom to the top that anything that isnt welfare for the rich has that label attached to it.
(snip)
Health care belongs in a more socialist model because it isnt what the private sector is good at. Free marketeers are good, really good, scary good, at stuff. Cars, phones, TVs, mini-fridges, toothpaste, laptops, junk food, T-shirts, toys, scratching posts, novelty coffee cups. Stuff that can be thought up and test-marketed and focus-grouped and manufactured in such amazing bulk that the unit prices drop to a level that most people can afford. And if they cant afford it they can do without. And if the company selling it goes out of business, it was a rational market decision.
Heath care is not stuff. It is life. It absolutely, positively has no place in a free market because the customer cannot walk away. If you cant walk away, you arent a customer. Youre a victim.
(snip)
https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/commentary/2018/08/04/george-pyle-anything-that/
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George Pyle: Anything that isn't welfare for the rich is now 'socialism' (Original Post)
Uncle Joe
Aug 2018
OP
Wednesdays
(17,248 posts)1. Kicked and highly recc'ed!
stuffmatters
(2,574 posts)2. Perfectly stated!
Judi Lynn
(160,217 posts)3. So well done. Thanks for posting, Uncle Joe. Rec., for sure. n/t
Uncle Joe
(58,112 posts)4. Thank you Judi Lynn
Uncle Joe
(58,112 posts)5. Kick
Solly Mack
(90,740 posts)6. K&R
appalachiablue
(41,052 posts)7. K & R. Good piece, thanks for posting. Add in Canada :)
Uncle Joe
(58,112 posts)8. Thank you appalachiablue
mountain grammy
(26,569 posts)9. Very good! Missed it the first time around.
K&R
Uncle Joe
(58,112 posts)11. Thank you mountain grammy
Puzzler
(2,505 posts)10. I love actor/comedian Tom Walker and his Johathon Pie character
and this is one of his best rants yet. Maybe the best.
FYI: In real life Tom Walker is a hard-left Labour Party supporter
-Puzzler
Uncle Joe
(58,112 posts)12. Is there a particular video of Jonathan Pie that you have in mind Puzzler?
Puzzler
(2,505 posts)13. Yes, give me a while and I'll try and find it :)
-Puzzler
Puzzler
(2,505 posts)14. Here's an interview with Walker in real life
(Ill post the rant I like after, although I think its posted on DU already)
-Puzzler
Puzzler
(2,505 posts)15. And one of the newest greatest rants ...
(IMHO)
-Puzzler