First, we already have Socialism in this country: Public Schools, Medicaid, Medicare etc. But some people don't realize it. They are against socialized health care, except when it is for grandma, or they are against "big government" except when they lose their job and are able to collect money from the government.
Most European countries are Social Democracies, like Denmark for example. It is the most socialized country with the highest living standard and last year a poll showed that they are the "happiest people on earth".
Is it because they don't have to worry who pays for the next doctor's visits, or they can't loose their job from one day to the next? People in Europe get a fair warning (4-6 weeks) before they have to leave their job. Or is it because they have at least 4 weeks of paid vacation per year?
I wonder about the American dream - what exactly is the dream? To get rich?
Instead people loose their house and health care when they loose their job.
I don't know about you, but I rather have more rights than a dream!!
There was a woman on TV and she said that she is against "government intrusion" meaning health care for everybody, because she can do it herself. Really? A crisis is always just around the corner and when the crisis comes in form of a disease or the loss of a good job, then suddenly she is not able to do it herself.
The only ones that should be afraid of Socialism are the corporations and it is them (with the help of the Republicans and some Democrats - Max Baucus) who scares the simple minded into believing that Socialism will turn America into the Soviet Union or Cuba.
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The "free" market corporation rules the world.. sadly.
ReplyDeleteAmericans are ruled by greed and the aspiration of becoming rich is greater than the reality of their socio economic situation.
ReplyDeleteWhy would most Americans support a healthcare where lots of Americans are not covered? The ones that have healthcare cannot think about the contingency that they may one day not have a job, and therefore healthcare.
Those that do not have healthcare are not motivated enough to come out in droves to let the country know that they want public option.
All in all, its very sad state of affairs.
Another great piece, Irene: it is truly amazing the way one little word, 'Socialism', can send so many into a flat spin; although, what's more concerning is the way in which it is entirely misused and inappropriately applied in the US - and used interchangeably and as a synonym for 'Marxism' and 'Communism' - to the point of farce.
ReplyDeleteAny way, to illustrate your point, about the all encompassing paranoia about this word in the US, and how at least those on the Right get selective amnesia when it comes to claiming what they deem to be 'socialist' and what they [convenient] choose isn't, I thought you might enjoy this:
A Brief History of Socialist Plots to End the American Way of Life
Enjoy!