[Personal curiosity] Is a little bit of socialism such a horrible thing?

beyond that, it places efficiency as the #1 value of any effort. i don't believe that's the only way to look at things, though i do recognize the value of efficiency.

 

The thing about efficiency is that it is relative. How efficient/inefficient is the governemtn exactly and what is the gold standard? What can we compare it to....another country's government?

 

Also, in an ironical twist, a lot of the supposed government inefficiency occurs due to... private contractor mandates! Trust me on this, I can regale you with stories of my days as a government contractor that provide ample support.

 

Awesome thread. I've wondered a lot of the same questions as the OP myself.

 

Personally, I would like to hear Refman's take on the subject.

 

Now if only my parents could read this thread and understand it without the kneejerk, "SOCIALISM??!!!1 OMGOMG EVIL ATHEISTIC UNAMERICAN GET AWAY FROM MEEEEE!!"

Seriously though, that's how some people react to the word "socialism."

 

Another great point. Why is socialism considered to be parallel to anti-religion (in U.S. it's more anti-christian) or outright immoral. Isn't socialism more adaptive to religion due to the nature of the system?

 

i think the poor should be armed and they should topple the rich in a revolution. do you think minnesota would elect me?

 

No doubt due to oft-quoted Marx: "Religion is the opiate of the masses" coupled with the ideology (albeit misguided) that soviet russia stamped out religion. Of course, a) this did not happen, and b) soviet russia is hardly a shining example of real socialism.

 

I see a lot of Conservative/ignorantYankee-bashing, yet very little to enumerate the benefits of such a shift...

 

The fact that big corporations are destroying our health and our jobs (cough*walmart*cough) seriously makes me think sometimes that a more socialist-leaning system might be better.

The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the rich.

 

Socialized defense and road contruction is great. Beyond that.......

 

I take you have never bought anything from walmart?

 

What about public education?

 

Our mail system seems to be better than most, and it is socialized.

 

We do not not need education.

I do not believe the problem with the US education system is money related. There are plenty of money for the education system already.

 

No, I've given lots of money to wal-mart... my parents think wal-mart is God's gift from Heaven just because Sam Walton was a "Good, Christian man"

Not proud of it.

 

Education definitely needs more money. Not all schools need more, and not all programs in education needs more money, but money is definitely needed in public education.

When the education system can't afford it's payroll, supplies, and can't keep schools open for the scheduled year, then more money is definitely needed.

 

I do not belive the money is used wisely in education. Just like in healthcare, money is not being spend on the most needed areas. I also believe the whole education philosophy is not right.

 

When you rely too much on the government, you will be controlled by the government before you realize it. It is not just a fear. It happened, is happening, and will happen in future.