Bernie Sanders & Socialism

I like Bernie Sanders as do lots of young people. I would vote for him but I'm leaning toward the republicans (I waiver a lot though). But does everyone really understand the effects of socialism?

Tomi Lehren explains Bernie and Socialism in 2 minutes for her age group, millennials, to understand…

 

I don't like Bernie, but it's not because of socialism. I didn't listen to the vid you posted but socialism isn't anything like communism so that's not a worry. My late husband lived in Hungary when it was still communist, that is a very different thing. There are a lot of socialist countries but they are not communist countries.

 

Bernie is not a socialist at all, he just wants to give Americans who want higher education a shot at it. Other countries have this standard of education, so why not America? Bernie is much better than Hillary, because he favors more of a peaceful and diplomatic type of international politics. Sanctioning is what Hillary Clinton favors and she say's it's leverage to get other countries do what she wants as President, well sanctioning does not work, and what Pres. Obama has done internationally recently is historic and humane for the world and Americans, why? It got results, it got friendlier relationships between countries, is futuristic, is humane way of solving old problems. If you've noticed that every country that America sanctions, has been building nuclear weapons, very dangerous indeed don't you think. Oppressing nations to do as you want is not the way of the future for it only got wars. Communist China is a difficult place to live with recent news of their govt. letting families have 2 children now, so you can imagine how rough it is really living in China really is, so now do you oppress other countries to do as America wills them or go to the negotiation table, stay there till something can be amicable for the world and America. Why should America always be the policeman in the world when it's only one nation of 173 nations in the world. Republicans are even worst than Hillary, with no knowledge of international politics, no modern platform to speak of for growing America economically, solving American's problems or anything constructive to speak of to me. Voting is your own choice of course and I am not advocating any candidate for Pres. Too bad Pres. Obama can't be Pres. any longer, for he has done for America and peace for the future a great service and gave us all much needed medical help. Oh well, that's life. Happy voting!

 

This reminds me of the political science subject in college. There was the argument between socialism and democracy. After all the arguments were analyzed, it came out that a socialist country is better than a democratic one in terms of privileges of the citizens. I cannot elaborate on this matter because I don't remember the details anymore.

Just to add, it seems that Bernie Sanders is getting on top of the race over Hillary Clinton.

 

@Ken Anderson I read the article and it puzzles me that the waiter is so opposed to socialism and yet a big Bernie Sanders supporter. I'd like to know his explanation for that. I'd also like to know what exactly Bernie Sanders will change as President that will have a socialistic effect on our country.

Also, while I understand that "pooling their tips", a microcosm of socialism, would cause the worker to lose incentive to work harder, I also see that it would lessen greed since all get equally paid no matter how hard you work. That would eliminate the gross corporate greed that is robbing 99% of Americans, no?

So, keeping that in mind then, democracy and socialism are both equally good and bad…and thus the controversy that will never have a solution.

@Krissttina Isobe , I liked your post's value for the sake of the discussion, but I didn't give it a like only because I don't agree with the Pro-Obama statements and the video that slammed republicans so badly.

 

I don't get involved in politics normally but I feel at times there is some confusion between socialism and communism, which are completely different systems IMO, nor does one necessarily develop into the other.

My take on current politics is that none of the systems work very well at all, neither capitalism which promotes greed and panders to basic human instincts of self and survival, nor communism which attempts to remove or suppress these instincts completely, and creates an unworkable system of dis-empowered workers in the end, with widespread corruption and fraud.
I feel socialism attempts to balance the two extremes by the state owning the essential parts of society, such as water, health, energy and possibly public transport, all other business is in the private sector, In practice it doesn't appear to work either.

In the UK we have a blend of capitalism and socialism, and over the decades since WWII we have oscillated between the two extremes, currently we have a soft right wing capitalist (Tory) government controlled by the rich 1%, who through their control are attempting to dismantle and privatise all social/state industries, currently the NHS which is stealthily being privatised, plus the state benefit system, which is again being privatised by stealth and lowering the incomes of the poor.

Our utilities, water, gas and electricity are privately owned largely by multinationals, who through their greed and endemic corruption have created fuel poverty amongst the poorer sections of our society.
Our government is powerless to do anything that their masters do not agree to, in fact some members of government come from this elite group.

I see rampant Capitalism as damaging as rampant Communism for different reasons and resulting in different outcomes of course, but as far as I can see the only way forward to a more balanced world is the middle path, a coalition maybe, though even that is not that simple, from what I observe in other countries with that setup.



Here is the other side of the argument

The Evidence Keeps Pouring In: Capitalism Just Isn't Working

Disposable Americans

Chris Hedges wrote: "Human life is of no concern to corporate capitalists. The suffering of the Greeks, like the suffering of ordinary Americans, is very good for the profit margins of financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs."

People become meaningless in a successful capitalist system.

To followers of Ayn Rand and Ronald Reagan, and to all the business people who despise government, 'community' is a form of 'communism.' Even taking the train is too communal for them. Americans have been led to believe that only individuals matter, that every person should fend for him/herself, that "winner-take-all" is the ultimate goal, and that the winners have no responsibility to others.

To the capitalist, everything is a potential market. Education, health care, even the right to water. But with every market failure it becomes more clear that basic human rights can't be bought and sold like cars and cell phones. The pursuit of profit, when essential needs are part of the product, means that not everyone will be able to pay the price. Some will be denied those essential needs.

 

I cannot add too much to Terry's analysis and I won't attempt to. I would say, though, that if I were American, I would vote for Sanders. He seems to offer a level of human decency singularly lacking in the megabucks corporate politicians that trundle off the conveyor belt. I want to see politicians that genuinely care about all of their country's citizens, not just the well-off ones. What's wrong with the concept of health care and a decent education for the whole of society rather than those who can wave a big fistful of dollars?

 

The problem with Socialism:

When half the people refuse to work and pay their share because they know the other half will have to support them, then the other half decides it's useless to work because most of what they earn goes to support the other half, that is the end of that society.

 

Every country has some aspect of socialism, Sheldon. Some more than others and while what you say is possible, I don't think it has happened even in the most socialist countries.

I am one that thinks capitalism is good, even though you say its greedy, Terry. Greed drives people and so does competition. A country needs that to move forward and not remain stagnant.

Human life is very important in capitalism. People need to work hard to acheive success. If you have nothing to strive for, what is the purpose.

The system we have WORKS, the problem is its abused and that's what needs to be fixed.

 

Yes @Chrissy Page but greed needs to be tempered with humanity, capitalism ultimately only values wealth and things, not people, people are its food for consumption.
Currently I feel we are out of balance in most countries and are simply becoming ever greedier, and caring less and less for the average person let alone the underdog.

 

Of course it needs to be tempered with humanity, I didn't say become all greedy monsters. We are humans capable of many emotions. We can find a balance. No country will ever be perfect but I think what we have is pretty good...just needs tweaking.

 

Likewise here ....though I don't consider either country as pretty good, more a case of could do better!!!

 

Well as long as it doesn't get worse.

I'm done in politics, I see things through Rose colored glasses anyway.

 

The best way to look at life Chrissy