Socialism

[Kohta]

From what I understand there are lots of people who have no idea what Socialism is and think its a bad thing.

If you understand what it is then do you think the United States would be a better place with Socialism instead of Capitalism?

[Peace God]

Socialism, capitalism and even communism might seem to work well on paper but it depends on how it's implemented.

For example, capitalism might seem to be perfect... "free market = free people, right?"
But in my opinion our version of crony capitalism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crony_capitalism) obviously isnt perfect when you have the wealthiest 1-5% of our population owning more money than the bottom 90-95% combined. (Source (http://afgen.com/feudal2.html))

There's no absolute perfect way of doing things. You cant say that socialism will work perfectly and you cant say that capitalism will work perfectly:

Left wing people need to realize government regulation can actually hurt more than it helps...mostly by indirectly eliminating competition(which can cause increased prices, monopolies, etc...).

And right wing people need to realize (well actually remember) that most large corporations really dont give a shit about the american people... historically they've always seemed to put profit over people and the 21st century looks no different. Think about the period before the progressive reformation era in the 1910s where people were overworked and mistreated (especially in industrial jobs) and if you complained you would lose your job and easily be replaced. If it werent for progressive legislation you wouldnt have things like minimum wages, compensation if you were injured on the job, hour limits, health & safety standards and many other benefits that we take for granted now.

Im far from an expert on economics but this is my opinion so feel free to tear my post apart and/or correct me.

[Korashk]

For example, capitalism might seem to be perfect... "free market = free people, right?"
But in my opinion our version of crony capitalism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crony_capitalism) obviously isnt perfect when you have the wealthiest 1-5% of our population owning more money than the bottom 90-95% combined. (Source (http://afgen.com/feudal2.html))
Crony capitalism isn't capitalism. If the USA were actually a capitalist nation we'd be doing better. I'll also do some actual research on socialism and get back to the OP. I know a bit, but my knowlegde is admittedly limited.

[Amnesiac]

No single economic system is perfect. A mix of free-market ideals and careful government regulation are needed to maintain a stable economy that protects the consumer.

[Kohta]

well I saw a video about Sweeden's economy which is Socialism and it just looked better than United States.
They have free college and free health care, nobody can die from being hungry and the crime rate is very low.
The only downfall which I don't even consider a downfall is that if you make lots of money you will still only own as much as the Middleclass which is mostly what Sweeden is just all Middleclass.

[Amnesiac]

well I saw a video about Sweeden's economy which is Socialism and it just looked better than United States.
They have free college and free health care, nobody can die from being hungry and the crime rate is very low.
The only downfall which I don't even consider a downfall is that if you make lots of money you will still only own as much as the Middleclass which is mostly what Sweeden is just all Middleclass.

Sweden doesn't have a socialist system, they have a mixed economy. It's just slightly more biased towards socialism than the United States', which is biased towards capitalism. While Americans tend to be wary of taxation and government spending, Sweden's taken the opposite path: it taxes and spends, providing expanded free services such as welfare and universal healthcare. Some might say that's a bad thing, but the US and Sweden are two different countries, the best economic model for one probably won't apply to the other.

[Korashk]

I guess mainly I'm against socialism because as a concept it violates private property rights. Although, comparing Switzerland's system to America's is a bit unfair.

Switzerland's Population: 7,647,675 (2008)
America's Population:***307,006,550 (2009)

It's common knowledge that collectivist systems work much more efficiently in smaller communities; Switzerland has .02% of the population to support with a greater percentage of tax revenue (potentially) and a greater percentage of the population actually pays them.

[Sith Lord 13]

That kind of taxation discourages economic growth. Why should I work harder than someone else if the difference in our wages is just going to be taxed away? I'm working harder to make money that I'm never gonna see?