geraldinekalman
Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Posts: 3
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Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:06 pm Post subject: What is Socialism? |
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According to the Encarta dictionary Socialism is the political theory or system in which the means of production and distribution are controlled by the people and operated according to equity and fairness rather than market principles.
So whats the problem? Socialism has been working in Scandinavia for decades. However, in America everyone is crying Socialism as if it were Communism. Perhaps the average American does not understand the difference between these systems of government because the USA education system has brandished the idea that all systems, except Capitalism, are bad. Communism was the boogey man during the Cold War now its Socialism.
Sweden provides its citizens with extensive social-welfare benefits. All citizens receive old age pensions, health care and workers compensation disability benefits. An unemployment insurance plan is subsidized by the government but administered by the trade unions. Other social-welfare benefits include free day care for parents with children, paid family leave for new parents, generous paid vacations, government subsidized low-rent housing, and free tuition for students seeking higher education.
Yes, Social Democracy has had its ups and downs but the argument that Socialism will fail because government does not know how to run businesses does not fly. Do you think the Wall Street tycoons and Bank Barons did any better? They did better for themselves, thats why they are rich and you are poor. They certainly did not give a damn about you.
The Republican philosophy of government is based on greed no matter how hard they try to deny it. They chose to manipulate the system, produce propaganda and misinformation, and dumb down Americans so they can stay in power. In their arrogance, they thought they could even foist someone like Bush on us without consequences. Well, now they're feeling the backlash. But they will be back in power again soon because the US public has demonstrated countless times that they have a 10 second attention span. All will be forgotten and the spin doctors will find a way to say that this melt down had nothing to do with the Republican administration. And they will be believed. |
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