Why americans are so paranoid towards socialism??

I mean, seriously, why are the US so intolerant to ANYTHING that may be linked to socialism or "social equality" or "social justice"? I think that being called a socialist or having socialist ideas can be taken even as an insult (where it is only a "tendency" in politics and administration).

Talk about social security run by the government? MY GOD!! That will destroy us and only make taxes HUGE!!

Talk about the government taking a bigger role in the economy?? DISGRACE It will hinder the companie's action.

Talk about reducing gap between incomes?? ANTIAMERICAN!

Why does anything that may be linked to socialism is to terrifying? I dont mean that Socialism is inherently good (nor inherently bad), but why the paranoid hate?

Change is just too scary!

Because capitalism is what keeps us from the mediocrity of Europe. And your thing about "reducing the gap" just brings the upper and upper-middle down. It doesn't bring the lower and middle up.

Because capitalism is what keeps us from the mediocrity of Europe.

Pirate700

[QUOTE="Pirate700"]

Because capitalism is what keeps us from the mediocrity of Europe.

Cpt-Obvious

[QUOTE="Pirate700"]

Because capitalism is what keeps us from the mediocrity of Europe.

Cpt-Obvious

[QUOTE="Cpt-Obvious"]

[QUOTE="Pirate700"]

Because capitalism is what keeps us from the mediocrity of Europe.

Pirate700

It's not going to be for long.

[QUOTE="Cpt-Obvious"]

[QUOTE="Pirate700"]

Because capitalism is what keeps us from the mediocrity of Europe.

Pirate700

Because most think socialism = communism, and they were all taught how bad commies are.

[QUOTE="Pirate700"]

[QUOTE="Cpt-Obvious"] =O That's really offensive to an entire continent. I doubt you reallt mean that.

worlock77

It's not going to be for long.

the cause of a problem is not the solution to the problem it caused.surrealnumber5

Misinformation and propaganda spread by sensationalist news outlets like F**, profiteering opportunists whose financial interests are opposed to "socialist" programs, and paranoid idealogues who have bought in to the propaganda and hold positions within government.

Change is just too scary!

Cpt-Obvious

This too.

Because capitalism is what keeps us from the mediocrity of Europe. And your thing about "reducing the gap" just brings the upper and upper-middle down. It doesn't bring the lower and middle up.

Pirate700

Man speaks the truth. Btw cool Josey Wales sig.

Because it goes against everything the USA has historically been about.

I mean, seriously, why are the US so intolerant to ANYTHING that may be linked to socialism or "social equality" or "social justice"? I think that being called a socialist or having socialist ideas can be taken even as an insult (where it is only a "tendency" in politics and administration).

Talk about social security run by the government? MY GOD!! That will destroy us and only make taxes HUGE!!

Talk about the government taking a bigger role in the economy?? DISGRACE It will hinder the companie's action.

Talk about reducing gap between incomes?? ANTIAMERICAN!

Why does anything that may be linked to socialism is to terrifying? I dont mean that Socialism is inherently good (nor inherently bad), but why the paranoid hate?

curono

It's something a lot of us having been complaining about for awhile. Unfortunately, those that can't bother to research into what Socialist policy actually entails are also the ones that tend to shout the loudest >_>

[QUOTE="surrealnumber5"]the cause of a problem is not the solution to the problem it caused.Ace6301

The Red Scare did quite a number. The past performance of "socialist" economies doesn't do much to help either.

The real question is... why do Europeans and others around the world bash the USA for not liking socialism? Why do outsiders care how the USA is run?

The real question is... why do Europeans and others around the world bash the USA for not liking socialism? Why do outsiders care how the USA is run?

BMD004

Because it goes against everything the USA has historically been about.

BMD004

Not really. While it's true that most of the founding fathers believed in a free market in response to the mercantilist theory of Europe, they did so for different reasons than just "oh government is bad!" Jefferson, for instance, was a strong believer in the entrepeneurialism of colonial farmers, and envisioned them as the engine of America's economy. He was also very suspicious of the role of corporations and foresaw a need to protect individual entrepeneurs from the combined forces of large corporations. This is not to mention that for one the United States maintained tarriffs until the twentieth century, and two if they had intended for a free market system to be unquestionably installed into the American way of life they would have written it into the Constitution.

I think if anything, the original spirit of American economics is opportunity for everyone. Corporations stifle opportunity because more competition means fewer profits. I'm not so sure that every founding father would be alright with every "socialist" program, but I think it goes way too far to say that anything even remotely socialist goes against the spirit of American politics. If anything, I think most of our more prominent founders would be in support of socialist programs so long as they promote an equal opportunity for American citizens to compete with their own businesses.

The real question is... why do Europeans and others around the world bash the USA for not liking socialism? Why do outsiders care how the USA is run?

BMD004

The real question is... why do Europeans and others around the world bash the USA for not liking socialism? Why do outsiders care how the USA is run?

Not sure, although I think some of theanti-socialism feelings come from a lack of understanding. People form an opinion based on what they're told by the media, and if the media doesn't like socialism chances are they'll put those sentiments across to the public.Also might be because some people think may believe socialism is another term for communism.

I don't think pure Socialism would be a good idea anyway, you'd probably want a hybrid of Capitalism/Socialism. Here in Europe we aren't Socialist. We're capitalist with social elements (main one being Healthcare). The most fitting term is probably liberal-capitalism.

The real question is... why do Europeans and others around the world bash the USA for not liking socialism? Why do outsiders care how the USA is run?

Their paranoia is a bit stupid but I do think that socialism doesn't get a country very far very fast, what was the last great thing Cuba ever did?

The real question is... why do Europeans and others around the world bash the USA for not liking socialism? Why do outsiders care how the USA is run?

Their paranoia is a bit stupid but I do think that socialism doesn't get a country very far very fast, what was the last great thing Cuba ever did?

metroidprime55

Bad comparison. I don't think anyone in the US is suggesting we go full-out communism. A better comparison would be most western European countries.

Why are Europeans so paranoid with capitalism?

Though, to the original question: Americans hate governments in general. Socialism =bigger government, so socialism=bigger problem.

Because it goes against everything the USA has historically been about.

BMD004

I dunno about that. Thomas Paine, the "Father of the Revolution", had some quite socialist ideas.

its the way they are educated, we are all indoctrinated in some way or the otherOverlord93

Because of the death panels!xaos

Glad to see you're back to your old avatar.

[QUOTE="surrealnumber5"][QUOTE="curono"] This is going to be completely off topic but this will show a "double standard of your argument". Why do US care how a country is run E.G. a "dictator" running a Middle Eastern country? My argument was not about hate on how the country is run, but why most of americans have a nearly allergic reaction to anything may be linked to socialism or even worst --COMMUNISM!!-- (boo)curono

Their paranoia is a bit stupid but I do think that socialism doesn't get a country very far very fast, what was the last great thing Cuba ever did?

metroidprime55

[QUOTE="curono"][QUOTE="surrealnumber5"] if you want a honest answer you are in the wrong place, asking why Americans don't like socialism here is like asking bible thumpers why do people hate the bible or anarchists why do people hate anarchy. the answer will always be somewhere between "because they are stupid evil hicks" to " they just do not understand" surrealnumber5

[QUOTE="BMD004"]

The real question is... why do Europeans and others around the world bash the USA for not liking socialism? Why do outsiders care how the USA is run?

Ace6301

Why are Europeans so paranoid with capitalism?

dercoo

We're not. We operate capitalist economies, but our governments provide few things such as Healthcare (paid from tax revenues).

[QUOTE="surrealnumber5"][QUOTE="curono"] I thought a discussion topic was an interest place to discuss something. :Pcurono

The argument of capitalism vs socialism is silly at best.

Some markets are efficient if left alone.

Some markets are efficient with certain parameters in place.

In other circumstances, there exists complete market failures, and in those cases the government needs to either create a system where a working market can operate, or (rarely) take complete control.

Laissez-faire only exists in fantasy land.

Because capitalism is what keeps us from the mediocrity of Europe. And your thing about "reducing the gap" just brings the upper and upper-middle down. It doesn't bring the lower and middle up.

Pirate700

The real question is... why do Europeans and others around the world bash the USA for not liking socialism? Why do outsiders care how the USA is run?