Why Do Americans Fear Socialism?

[lostinblue 1,989]

What's that got to do with the topic?

wow

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The author would do well to educate herself.

Its a she.

wow

You may have noticed that no one has rushed to endorse your point.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Its a she.

Yes she is and the source is an online beauty magazine? Hard to tell.

Edited January 17, 2015 by I AM NOT THAT GUY

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I'm not saying she's an authority on the subject and have no attachment to it or her either way. I do think the basic premise is perfectly reasonable as a spring board for discussion.

[decocker 7,198]

It would seem to be that way since noone so far has offered an opinion on the subject that doesn't rely on cliché

in defense of 'murica it has been a concentrated, long term effort that began when my parents were mere twinkles in their own parents' eyes. but an exceedingly successful effort, as you can see.

[NikLR 13,227]

It is not required to be all one, or the other. The nations of the world can and do pick and choose, and find ways to moderate one economic or political model with the principles of a different model. The often results in some rather oxymoronic terms for describing what nation has what form. For instance, there are command and market economies, and a blending of the two. And capitalist systems moderated through government social programs. So the system in the US may be referred to as "Welfare Capitalism", or most of the European nations as "Market Socialism".

I agree, there has to be some melding of the two that the USA can work with. Both have positives but I do believe the US has taken capitalism too far.

The USA will never become communist. Of that I have no doubt at all. But a little more socialism isn't going to hurt!

[NikLR 13,227]

Lack of education. People want retirement and social security, aren't these socialist benefits?

Are government is responsible for all of the people, poor-rich. They should be making a model that works for everyone not some. Capitalism only works for some.

I think it's both. Socialism does not equal communism. Canada, Britain, most of Europe are far more socialist than the USA ever will become but yet we don't consider Canada to be communist do we? Well I'm sure some do, but it's not. The funny thing is the parliamentary government system seems to get change to happen at a much faster rate than the US system.

So is the USA just afraid of change or anything different despite being founded on their ability to change? I think the answer may be yes.

Edited January 17, 2015 by NLR

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Is the author correct though? Fear of socialism in the USA stems from a lack of general education and an over reliance on tabloid media?

Yes, I think that's about right. Generally speaking, Americans haven't the faintest idea what socialism actually is. This thread shows some of that quite impressively.

[unsmiley 111]

On the contrary, I think that Socialists try to hide the true implications of socialism, knowing how unpalatable the truth would be for most Americans.

[eieio 1,594]

When you are number one….people always try to knock you down. Jealousy is a bi###.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Jealousy of what? The education system? Healthcare? Stagnant wages? Almost no paid time off from work?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Almost no paid time off from work?

Why would you pay someone for not working?

[lostinblue 1,989]

Jealousy of what? The education system? Healthcare? Stagnant wages? Almost no paid time off from work?

You are so lucky to live in England . One wonders why you even concerned about this ####### hole of a country you detest. Americans just never got anything right .

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You are so lucky to live in England . One wonders why you even concerned about this ####### hole of a country you detest. Americans just never got anything right .

I don't detest the USA. I do detest the attitudes expressed from certain sections of its society.

For example, you always seem to post as if you've been personally victimised by the government or by people who have committed crimes that you've heard about in the media, as if somehow you represent the 'real' USA and everything you believe in is under threat from blacks, liberals and college professors.

I don't get it personally, I do understand that reasonable dialogue isn't possible until you stop taking everything you read about as a personal affront.

[Póg mo 1,749]

Why would you pay someone for not working?

Because it's the right thing to do? Or how about it allows people to recover from illness without so they don't infect other workers? People who get paid time off, tend to more productive when they return to work, or how about it gives working parents the opportunity to spend time with children, so the children don't all grow up to be delinquents? It seems like a Christian thing to do? Paid time might allow people to remain at work and not be as at risk of loosing their job and dropping out of the work force?