Do you consider yourself a socialist?

[More Than A Feeling]

If you do, I'd like to hear about it. You know, what specifically are the tenets of your socialism (I understand there are multiple different varieties), how you came to it, what you think the prospects are for a more socialist future, whether you are officially affiliated with a socialist organization... that sort of thing. Much obliged to all who reply!:hi:

[elfin]

1. I am getting close

as regarding energy and health care.

[Bakunin]

2. No, I am a Communist.

Dont just stick your toe in the water ya sissies,jump in and get wet!

[Common Sense Party]

9. Define your preferred brand of Communism.

What would the ideal U.S. government look like, in your opinion? Would there be private ownership of businesses? Would individuals be free to choose their occupations, etc.?

[Warpy]

3. The read of my youth has faded to a pleasing pink with age

as I realize that any pure system, no matter how altruistic, will be pure hell on earth for too many people.

For research into what this means, I suggest examining the mixed systems of Europe, increasingly of Asia, and now beginning to occur in South America.

Capitalism does a good job on goods. It falls down on services, especially those that ensure human survival. One only has to look at the US health care catastrophe to realize that. Socialism with central control doesn't do a very good job of providing goods. One only has to look at the Soviet Union to figure that one out.

Only a mixed system can possibly be both humane and competitive.

[nebenaube]

16. absolutely...

Yin & Yang or death

[Erika]

4. I believe it is a societal duty to provide health care, food,

and shelter, as well as education to all.

We don't start out on an even playing field with the same opportunities, IQ, health or much of anything else being the same.

When I was growing up in a public school, the "welfare" kids (those who could not pay for their lunches) were required to help cook, serve, and wash the dishes for the rest of us. My heart went out to them and changed me for all time.

[PDJane]

5. I'm a Canadian.

Technically, I live in a socialist democracy. I prefer this system, and would like to keep it. In fact, I don't think we go far enough in some ways.

However, pure capitalism is a lousy system, and keeps a certain segment of the population in bondage to provide for the "things" we think we need in the west.

[NMMNG]

21. That is such BS!

When I was growing up in a public school, the "welfare" kids (those who could not pay for their lunches) were required to help cook, serve, and wash the dishes for the rest of us.


I cannot believe the school got away with that crap. Even if some idiot took the notion to blame the parent(s) for the family being "on welfare" how could they begin to blame the kids, let alone punish them for it? That is so hateful and twisted. :grr:

[provis99]

6. not if socialist means a gun-loving nut like Bernie Sanders

but I'm ok for gov't administered healthcare. Medicare and Medicaid are worlds better than bloodsucking vampire private insurance companies designed specifically to make profit off of people's misery.

[roamer65]

7. Democratic Socialist? Yes.

[More Than A Feeling]

8. Would you mind telling me more? n/t

[hyphenate]

10. No

I do think some things need to be handled on a federal level, like health care and social programs, but I still believe that capitalism is a good thing. Because of capitalism, many can get out of the class they are in and get something better, entrepreneurs can continue to look for their dreams, and places like eBay can thrive as people look for ways to catch the brass ring. We could never put ourselves into the class system that existed in the (former) USSR, and 99.9% would be mortifed if we ever moved that far into that form of socialism or communism. With some semblance of pursuit of our dreams, we can always have hope that we can succeed.

[noamnety]

11. have you read the stats on class mobility?

Capitalism depends upon exploitation. Without exploitation, the economy collapses.

[meldroc]

12. I'm a mixed economy guy.

There are some things that are better done using a socialist, government-driven model, such as health care.

Conversely, there are some things, like the technology industry that are better done with a more capitalist framework, such as the tech industry - computers, electronics & such.

I've come to the conclusion that both capitalism and socialism are broken if each is used exclusively. In a purely capitalist society, the big players build economic power and bully everyone else, so we have to have rules that keep things fair and make sure the little guys don't get trampled. A purely capitalist economy degenerates much like an anarchy. In a pure socialist system, lack of competition brings innovation and motivation to a crawl, and the task of centrally planning every single economic thing in a society is impossible. The Soviet Union tried, and failed miserably.

So we have to have a mix of both capitalism and socialism. Right now, I think things are leaning way too far towards being too capitalist - the rules that keep the big players behaving and the little guys from being trampled are being whittled away. We need things like single-payer health care (which is mixed socialism and capitalism - socialist in that the government pays for everything, capitalist in that patients can choose their doctors and health care providers, so there's competition.) We also need more environmental regulations, enforcement of anti-trust laws, government assistance for genuinely small businesses (the mom-and-pop places are being eaten by the Wal-Marts.) The rich are getting way too much of the pie, while the poor get crumbs, so we need to flatten the wealth curve a bit (though not make it totally flat - we need rewards for people who can be successful at business.)

But that's just me.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

13. Nope.

I think capitalism is perfectly fine, though there is most definitely a need for better regulation and also some 'socialistic' type responsibility for those less fortunate. We most definitely need to do better with our situation as it deals with the prevalence of poverty, but I don't come close to supporting an over all 'socialism' type mentality. Capitalism is fine, we just need to do it a bit more responsibly.

[pinto]

14. Medicare for all, birth to grave, and free education, pre-school to doctorate.

Just off the top of my head, those are two national agenda items I favor, and am more than glad to see our tax dollars fund.

[Selatius]

15. Market socialist.

1. Workers should be aided in the establishment of worker co-ops.
2. A form of public banking established to aid workers in establishing co-ops and for investments in general.
3. A mostly free market for goods, raw materials, etc.

Because socialism says that all capital belongs to society collectively, then each firm either co-op or other must pay a capital assets tax. The greater the value of capital employed, the greater the tax base.

The revenue generated by this tax will go directly to the public bank. It has a national branch, regional, and local branches. Money is distributed in accordance to population size to regional and local branches. A city with 11,000 would naturally receive roughly 92 percent of a city with 12,000. These branches are controlled by their respective communities and are subject to their audit. These banks exist to establish new co-ops, provide funds to expand existing co-ops, and the expansion of commerce in general.

The co-ops as well as traditional firms would sell their products, much like now, in a market. The only difference is the capital employed now belongs to society. The capital assets tax is the "useage fee" for using something of society. You are still free to start a private firm, but you now have the option of selling to the public bank at a fair market price. Once you literally "cash out," the firm is reorganized into a co-op after you leave for the benefit of workers. You, on the other hand, are rewarded for your initiative with a fat check for your firm.

[BlueStorm]

17. Socialist democratic?

Not sure if that is such a thing. I believe that big corporations and the rich have a responsibility to those who are less fortunate. I believe in government regulations of companies and governmental agencies. I believe in social programs that help the needy. I believe in free speech and expression as well as the freedom to practice one's own religion without fear of retribution from society.

I believe in total equality for all people, regardless of their race, creed, sexual orientation, body size, etc. I believe in secular education in the public schools. I believe in multicultural education.

I guess that is all I can say for now.

Blue

[StrictlyRockers]

18. Marxist Socialist

His theories can be a bit thick and obtuse, but I think I understand him. It seems to me that history is proving him right.

Karl Marx is right.

SR

[roguevalley]

anything that is essential, that is energy, land management and

health care for instance, would be nationalized. The idea that a company can fuck up the pipeline up here, neglecting it on purpose, and then feel they can have tax deductions for fixing it, then NOW IS THE TIME TO NATIONALIZE.

Water is nationalized, the major shipping and distribution systems. It has to be under some central control that benefits everyone, not just the bastards that own them now.

[riverdale]

19. 1934

I took a political quiz on a website some years ago and it turns out I am a socialist. I looked into the ideals of socialism and realized that this was true. Capitalism blows! The thing about socialism that really hooked me was the idea of a MAXIMUM wage instead of a minimum wage. What happens is something along the lines that nobody in a company can earn more than 15x what the lowest-paid worker gets. So if the bigwigs get a raise, so does the janitor. My favorite current world leader is the great Hugo Chavez. The greatest US President was FDR.

[roody]

20. Yes, I like the way it sounds.

I like the sound of communist too.

[PerfectSage]

22. Nope, I've transcended intellectual concepts like socialism and capitalism

All value systems have value. I think your missing the big picture; What is the meaning of a person's life? To reach their potential as a human being?

If so, then what is the raison d'etre of the state? Does the individual exist to serve the state or does the state exist to serve the the individual? If the raison d'etre of the state is to serve the individual does that mean the raison d'etre of the state is to help individuals reach their potential as a human being?

I make my living exploiting the weakness of the capitalistic system. What'sat mean? The economic and financial systems are chaotic systems. What'sat mean? It means you can't predict the short or long term, but you can predict the midterm trends of the stock market.

What'sat mean?

http://www.decisionpoint.com/ChartSpotliteFiles/060804_PBI.html

[longship]

23. Count me in.

I've been there for years.
It is the best way.

[toddaa]

24. Libertarian Socialist

Or, as we are known outside of the United States, a libertarian.

[Vidar]

25. Yes, but I'm not a purist. Some well=regulated capitalist elements are welcome.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

26. Anarchist - aka Libertarian Socialist aka Left Libertarian

As an Anarchist, I believe that people having power over other people is the problem. Those that own the means of production or immense wealth have power over people. Hence, I am a socialist by default. Though I was born the son and grandson of socialists.

Also, just looking at the world, and seeing some people living and dying in abject poverty while others make money and grow wealthy on their toil makes it impossible to not think there is a better way.

A "more socialist future"? Maybe. But, the fight against the bosses, even "socialist" bosses, will continue.

[LeftishBrit]

27. I'm a socialist in the Europaean sense of the word

I believe that it is the state's job to provide a safety-net 'from cradle to grave'; to prevent poverty; to ensure the availability of public services like health, education and transport; and that all of these should come ahead of rich people's right to avoid taxation.

I am not a believer in the abolition of all private property or private enterprise, or in absolute equality of income (but which country ever had that?), so am not a 'pure' socialist.

I support most of the principles of the British Labour Party before it was taken over by Blair et al.