Why Do Americans Fear Socialism?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

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?

I definitely think that it makes for a happier workforce. I also think it's an area that the government has every right to mandate a minimum standard for. I am sure if the corporate world had its way we'd all be working 6 day weeks.

[Darnell 8,478]

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?

It might be, that during the author's lifetime,

there were no actual 'living' socialist countries in which to rubberstamp and model after.

Maybe.

I think Tanya's a tardo, though.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

There is no such thing as a 'socialist' country, only countries with policies that lean in that direction (or not) to differing degrees.

[Darnell 8,478]

Exactly ! That's why I think Tanya is a tardo !

[Póg mo 1,749]

There is no such thing as a 'socialist' country, only countries with policies that lean in that direction (or not) to differing degrees.

Okay, but what countries that spend large amounts of government revenue on corporate services that appear mainly to help corporate America? Noam Chomsky calls this 'socialism for the rich'.

[Sousuke 1,214]

There is no such thing as a 'socialist' country, only countries with policies that lean in that direction (or not) to differing degrees.

One example where the UK and US is actually reversed is utilities.

In the US, utilities are regulated by the government and do not compete. They are still private companies but they aren't exactly following capitalism. In the UK, utilities bid against one another for the cheapest or fasted connection. I think one of the negatives of this is that most UK utilities are owned by German, French, or American companies.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Okay, but what countries that spend large amounts of government revenue on corporate services that appear mainly to help corporate America? Noam Chomsky calls this 'socialism for the rich'.

Noam Chomsky is a talented linguist, however, his command of the English language is questionable.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

One example where the UK and US is actually reversed is utilities.

In the US, utilities are regulated by the government and do not compete. They are still private companies but they aren't exactly following capitalism. In the UK, utilities bid against one another for the cheapest or fasted connection. I think one of the negatives of this is that most UK utilities are owned by German, French, or American companies.

Not exactly true. For instance, we have of choice of power generation entities from which to purchase power. Sonoma Clean Power is now the default power generation provider for Sonoma County, California, displacing Pacific Gas and Electric. We have numerous internet, cell, phone, data, and entertainment providers.

[decocker 7,198]

Not exactly true. For instance, we have of choice of power generation entities from which to purchase power. Sonoma Clean Power is now the default power generation provider for Sonoma County, California, displacing Pacific Gas and Electric. We have numerous internet, cell, phone, data, and entertainment providers.

where i'm at there is zero choice in electric service. all dependent on where you live.

cable is comcast, any other choice puts you in satellite realm.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

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?

Yes, because people somehow can't seem to manage their own finances. So, rather than pay employees a fair amount for the work they actually do, you would leave it to employers to pay less in hourly wages and more in benefits, because a percentage of people are irresponsible.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

where i'm at there is zero choice in electric service. all dependent on where you live.

cable is comcast, any other choice puts you in satellite realm.

Or DSL, which is not much better than Dial-up. However, I notice AT&T is going big on fiber optic, which they keep trying to sell me, even though it is not available in my area, despite them trying to convince me it is.

According to Motley Fool, By as early as 2020, or as late as 2030, the internet and broadband will be completely replaced by new technology, so who knows?

[decocker 7,198]

Or DSL, which is not much better than Dial-up. However, I notice AT&T is going big on fiber optic, which they keep trying to sell me, even though it is not available in my area, despite them trying to convince me it is.

According to Motley Fool, By as early as 2020, or as late as 2030, the internet and broadband will be completely replaced by new technology, so who knows?

at&t's fiber optics (whats the other name, i can't remember) is a joke, hasn't been available over the last five years - in the three different rentals i've lived in. but we still have pretty large areas where highspeed internet isn't available from anyone at all, despite all these large areas being in america - which i assume makes us number one in internet access..

eta: dsl, duh

Edited January 19, 2015 by val erie

[Sousuke 1,214]

Not exactly true. For instance, we have of choice of power generation entities from which to purchase power. Sonoma Clean Power is now the default power generation provider for Sonoma County, California, displacing Pacific Gas and Electric. We have numerous internet, cell, phone, data, and entertainment providers.

But I think you'll find PG&E still owns the cables/gas coming into your house. I'm on a solar plan as well, but I still get my bills from PG&E and an occasional letter from the solar company.

at&t's fiber optics (whats the other name, i can't remember) is a joke, hasn't been available over the last five years - in the three different rentals i've lived in. but we still have pretty large areas where highspeed internet isn't available from anyone at all, despite all these large areas being in america - which i assume makes us number one in internet access..

eta: dsl, duh

Its Uverse. They run a fiber optic line to a box in your neighborhood and then use conventional connections to the house.

[decocker 7,198]

Its Uverse. They run a fiber optic line to a box in your neighborhood and then use conventional connections to the house.

i just looked up what i was thinking of and verizon calls is fios. i don't think i've ever heard of uverse. hughesnet is the only option for many "off road" residents.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

But I think you'll find PG&E still owns the cables/gas coming into your house. I'm on a solar plan as well, but I still get my bills from PG&E and an occasional letter from the solar company.

PG&E still does the distribution and maintains the infrastructure. I was talking to my PG&E rep about 20 years ago, and this is the direction PG&E wanted to go, even back then. They wanted out of power generation and natural gas sales, and just do the delivery.