Why are we so afraid of Democratic Socialism?

1. 76

   Josh Ratzburgposted 8 years ago

   Why are we so afraid of Democratic Socialism?
   
   

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2. 76

   Barbara Kayposted 8 years ago

   I think many people think Communism when they here the word Socialism. For whatever reason they don't understand that Socialism is just an economic system. Since most of Europe has a Socialistic system, it doesn't terrify me. In some respects our economy is already a Socialist system.
   
   The one thing that I like about Bernie Sanders is that he hasn't changed what he'd vote for since way back when he was in local politics. That says to me that he'll do what he says. Also he is against politicians being bought by corporations. That is something I am against.

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3. 77

   Misfit Chickposted 8 years ago

   From a GOP/Conservative perspective, it has to do with how the bible is being interpreted by 'some' people. I don't remember what the verses are anymore (do a search about this subject - yikes!); but here is one gem I just found: Proverbs 12:13 warns us that “The compassion of the wicked is cruel.”
   
   DESPITE the fact that the church in the Book of Acts is setup to share, big time. The argument there is that the scripture is talking about a 'church'; not a political system.
   
   Make no mistake, the fear is rooted in fanatical religious concepts - again.

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4. 82

   lenamarieeposted 8 years ago

   I think it goes back to communism too.  Also people have been so conditioned to think socialism = bad.  People think that everything they've worked for will be taken and redistributed which isn't true but after decades of conditioning it is hard to change people's perception.  If you explain Sander's views to the average American most people agree, Lowering the cost of college, most people agree.... Universal healthcare, most people agree.  Raising taxes on corporations, most people agree.  Then you throw in the word socialism and people get scared without understanding the word fully because they have been conditioned to fear the word.
   
   Bernie 2016! #feelthebern

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   1. 59

      GracieLindaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      If you look up the word you will find MANY types of socialism and most do not want to do their own research preferring to listen to someone else's ideals.  Much simpler but not very "intelligent."

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   2. 82

      lenamarieeposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      @Gracie.... we are only talking about one type of socialism here. I have done my research, and the research actually changed my view, necause I can be open minded.

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   3. 62

      adagio4639posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      " most do not want to do their own research preferring to listen to someone else's ideals. Much simpler but not very "intelligent." -  Fast food for the brain, but not too filling.

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   4. 77

      Misfit Chickposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I do also agree that much conditioning has happened regarding this word. We've grown accustomed to the debate; have our own opinion - and don't have the time, energy or curiosity to find out why any silly ideal exists in order to alter it even a bit

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   5. 62

      nicompposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Yikes. Where do you think corporate tax payments come from? There is no corporate money tree. The CEO doesn't go out back and pick a bushel of bucks. As hard as it might be to understand, corporate taxes are paid by the employees of the corporation.

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5. 59

   Herban Cowgirlposted 8 years ago

   Beats me, we are democratic socialists and have been for the better part of the last century. One possible answer to the reason that the word Socialism gets people on both sides of the aisle worked up is because of The National Socialist German Workers' Party or NAZIS.  No one wants to have that sort of movement in America, and no one wants to be accused of starting it.  Even though the US was already quite socialist before WWII.

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6. 52

   bradmasterOCcalposted 8 years ago

   Why shouldn't we be afraid?
   Federal employees don't get socialism, and they don't need SS, Medicare or ACA. They have premium and personal benefits thanks to the taxpayers. The rest of us are made dependent on socialism.
   
   It is wrong when the servant has the benefits that belong to the master.

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   1. 76

      Josh Ratzburgposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I think you may have misunderstood the question. I'm not talking about health care at all.

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   2. 77

      Misfit Chickposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      People are brushing my comment above... 'when the servant has the benefits that belong to the master' what does that mean? I've heard diehards say that SS is wrong bcuz it is a SIN to take care of people on that kind of scale. You think I'm crazy?

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   3. 76

      Barbara Kayposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      You mean we are servants to Congress? That is what your statement makes me believe you think. What benefits belong to the master? Congress is already getting premium healthcare that is paid for  and their entire salaries when they retire.

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   4. 52

      bradmasterOCcalposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I think you missed my point.
      Socialism doesn't apply to the federal workers, only to the wage earners in the private sector.

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7. 62

   nicompposted 8 years ago

   Sure! It's just an economic system whereby the government redistributes wealth. Nothing can go wrong there.
   
   Why, the VA runs so well! The IRS is fair and equitable. Congress operates smoothly and keeps the budget balanced. Yes, let's add more government.

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   1. 76

      Josh Ratzburgposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Democratic Socialism is NOT a redistribution of wealth.

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   2. 62

      nicompposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Good one, Josh. Bernie campaigns on a $15 minimum wage: wealth redistribution by legislative fiat. He travels the country whipping up his base to hate the rich because they supposedly don't pay enough taxes. His platform is wealth redistribution.

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   3. 76

      Josh Ratzburgposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      But it's not the extreme that you're making it out to be. Why shouldn't those who make more pay a little more? It makes sense. NO ONE is suggesting that everyone should make the same... http://tinyurl.com/bernie10

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   4. 62

      nicompposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Josh, Bernie is insisting that entry-level minimum wage jobs all pay the same. Don't make stuff up.

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   5. 76

      Josh Ratzburgposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Oh, that they all pay a MINIMUM WAGE? Ok... sure he wants to raise minimum wage, that's not a BAD thing.

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   6. 62

      nicompposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      It's a foolish thing. And uninformed. And regressive. It penalizes the people you want to help.

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   7. 76

      Josh Ratzburgposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      You argue against it, but you haven't made a point against it. Just say "it's foolish"

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   8. 62

      nicompposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Ummm... read the rest of my comment. Look up regressive if necessary.

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   9. 96

      Readmikenowposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Socialism has never achieved the level of economic dominance as capitalism.  It has not produced as many jobs or provided as many innovations. It punishes the achievers to take care of the underachievers. When achievers are free everybody benefits.

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8. 50

   Juno Smithposted 8 years ago

   It seems that socialism is the scary word: when people are forced into something, they just don't like it. Socialism is present in a few countries in the world and it is not good for the people, just for the leaders and the propaganda.
   There is always an elite that lives the best life and gets the best in the country and abroad, the others slave, suffer and can't say anything without risking their lives.
   It may be time to create new words to describe new forms of government.

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   1. 62

      nicompposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Those evil Elite! We should eat them!

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9. 70

   Lauren Valkyrieposted 8 years ago

   I think the main reason why people fear democratic socialism is because they do not understand the differences between democratic socialism and other types of socialism. This is an excellent question Josh Ratzburg.

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   1. 62

      nicompposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I think we fully understand the difference between the two. Both ideologies favor redistribution of wealth in the name of 'fairness.' Democratic Socialism means we get to vote on who gets gigged. I vote for everyone else but me.

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