Why are so many Americans this close-minded?

It seems to me that the majority of Americans are unanimously enraged at the slightest mention of socialism. I'm not saying socialism is good or bad, but I find that if any policy/bill brought up has properties that even resemble being socialist, everyone yells "NO!" before even weighing the pros and cons of said policy.

Edit: Changed the title to something more appropriate ;)

Edit 2: I am NOT saying in any way, shape or form that the States should be socialist, on the contrary they should stay capitalist. I'm just saying that certain ideas shouldn't be shut down without consideration.

Majority, not all.

Not a fan of the generalization but to answer you question...there is quite a bit of support for policies that seem "socialist" in nature but the thing is....America was not founded as a socialist society...it kind of goes against everything the US stands for

When you mention "All Americans" you seem to generalize as America itself as in North, Central and South America. In South America, or better yet Venezuela, socialism is going great, except it's being handled the wrong way which is why people hate it.

So not ALL Americans are close-minded.

I don't know. I'll let you know once I've met all 300 million citizens of this country.-Chimera-

[QUOTE="-Chimera-"]I don't know. I'll let you know once I've met all 300 million citizens of this country.dave123321

Most Americans don't like Socialism. My guess for the reasoning is that it is basically the opposite of the policies that have given the US so much succes.

ZOMGWTFBBQ HE SAID SOCIALISM!!!

Well, many people don't understand what socialism is, therefore they freak out about it. >.>

[QUOTE="-Chimera-"]I don't know. I'll let you know once I've met all 300 million citizens of this country.dave123321

actually, America was found on the principle of equality, so Socialism is more American then Capatalism which says that we should all compete to become richer and therefore "better" then one another.

BTW I am American and am a registered Socialist. But thats what I love about America, we can all have different views and its okay.

You're talking to the wrong Americans, frankly. (Not that socialism is what this country needs, but that people would just refuse a policy because it seems like socialism)TheZ3nMan

This is all I'm getting at here. For people to just discuss the pros and cons of a policy before completely shutting it out.

[QUOTE="dave123321"][QUOTE="-Chimera-"]I don't know. I'll let you know once I've met all 300 million citizens of this country.-Chimera-

[QUOTE="-Chimera-"][QUOTE="dave123321"] I say you and I go door to door and conduct a poll. PolskaKing

I didn't know we had socialists posting here. :xMrPraline

But how do you know he's a socialist?

Well, most people enjoy making their own decisions on how to spend most of their money.WarEagle1357

:shock: that's crazy talk!

:P

Im American and I hate Social People, Anti Social life styles ftw! :P

[QUOTE="dave123321"][QUOTE="-Chimera-"]I don't know. I'll let you know once I've met all 300 million citizens of this country.-Chimera-

Socialism is the gateway to communism,

(in Marxist theory) the stage following capitalism in the transition of a society to communism, characterized by the imperfect implementation of collectivist principles.

a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.

Ok definition one, is what China became after socialism, yeah, I think I will be closed minded thank you:P

The second definition is what is called covetnous, excuse to do nothing an reap someones work (which is why car insurance is socialized). /thread

When you mention "All Americans" you seem to generalize as America itself as in North, Central and South America. In South America, or better yet Venezuela, socialism is going great, except it's being handled the wrong way which is why people hate it.

So not ALL Americans are close-minded.

DeadMan1290

yeah, Venezuela is falling apart.

Not a fan of the generalization but to answer you question...there is quite a bit of support for policies that seem "socialist" in nature but the thing is....America was not founded as a socialist society...it kind of goes against everything the US stands for

Lindsosaurus

No. . .no it doesn't. :|

The US stands for what is best for the freedom of humanity in a country and its government, and if that happens to be socialism, so be it.

Socialism is the gateway to communism,

(in Marxist theory) the stage following capitalism in the transition of a society to communism, characterized by the imperfect implementation of collectivist principles.

a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.

Ok definition one, is what China became after socialism, yeah, I think I will be closed minded thank you:P

The second definition is what is called covetnous, excuse to do nothing an reap someones work (which is why car insurance is socialized). /thread

SegaGenesisfan

I said in no way whatsoever that America should become completely socialist. Just that they shouldn't dismiss certain ideas without even considering them. Canada has certain policies (healthcare for example) that are deemed way too socialist for the States. In no way is Canada a socialist country, even though they aren't close-minded.

The problem with Americans is that they were indoctrinated in their youth to think that socialism is bad. Wheras any familiarity and understanding of Marx says completely opposite. McCarthy was an idiot, and his effects still damage us today.

Am I the only one who sees some irony in the title? But anyway...No not all Americans think Socialism is a bad thing. Obama got in after all the "socialism" talk on the news and during the campaign after all.Ace6301

Nope, I saw the irony in the title before I read the post. Fail for asking why Americans are close-minded when your post was majoly close-minded about Americans. :|

Everyone is close minded. Nuff Said.

[QUOTE="DeadMan1290"]

When you mention "All Americans" you seem to generalize as America itself as in North, Central and South America. In South America, or better yet Venezuela, socialism is going great, except it's being handled the wrong way which is why people hate it.

So not ALL Americans are close-minded.

OrianaDorta

yeah, Venezuela is falling apart.

We went like a week and a half without an American bashing thread.... why did you ruin the streak? :(

[QUOTE="Lindsosaurus"]

Not a fan of the generalization but to answer you question...there is quite a bit of support for policies that seem "socialist" in nature but the thing is....America was not founded as a socialist society...it kind of goes against everything the US stands for

Theokhoth

No. . .no it doesn't. :|

The US stands for what is best for the freedom of humanity in a country and its government, and if that happens to be socialism, so be it.

well, to me socialism demands giving up some personal liberties that were given to us in the constitution. It makes me think 1984 style...which ruins the whole idea of prosperity...but that's just me

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"]

[QUOTE="Lindsosaurus"]

Not a fan of the generalization but to answer you question...there is quite a bit of support for policies that seem "socialist" in nature but the thing is....America was not founded as a socialist society...it kind of goes against everything the US stands for

Lindsosaurus

No. . .no it doesn't. :|

The US stands for what is best for the freedom of humanity in a country and its government, and if that happens to be socialism, so be it.

well, to me socialism demands giving up some personal liberties that were given to us in the constitution. It makes me think 1984 style...which ruins the whole idea of prosperity...but that's just me

But then Capitalism fails for those who are in situations where they simply cannot make money. Think about poor immigrant families of ten people. There is no way to educate the children, no way to get a college degree without falling financially. The cycle continues

Most Americans (myself included) believe that sicialism is wrong. I'm sure you strongly believe in whatever form of govt. you think is right.

It seems to me that the majority of Americans are unanimously enraged at the slightest mention of socialism. I'm not saying socialism is good or bad, but I find that if any policy/bill brought up has properties that even resemble being socialist, everyone yells "NO!" before even weighing the pros and cons of said policy.

Edit: Changed the title to something more appropriate ;)

bballm10

Because in ww2 we fought and defeated socialism, to embrace it is ridiculous to a powerful country such as ours. we already do embrace small forms of a socialism anyway.

actually, America was found on the principle of equality, so Socialism is more American then Capatalism which says that we should all compete to become richer and therefore "better" then one another.

BTW I am American and am a registered Socialist. But thats what I love about America, we can all have different views and its okay.

Ryir554

[QUOTE="Ryir554"]

actually, America was found on the principle of equality, so Socialism is more American then Capatalism which says that we should all compete to become richer and therefore "better" then one another.

BTW I am American and am a registered Socialist. But thats what I love about America, we can all have different views and its okay.

Free_Marxet

So it's liberty, rather than equality?

If someone is calling Obama a socialist, you should automatically take everything that person says with a grain of salt. Obama is no socialist - he's not even a liberal. Your empirical evidence is all of Western Europe. We have a long ways to go before we become an 'evil' socialist country.

Well Americans us americans can't be that closed minded, the US elected Obama.

But then Capitalism fails for those who are in situations where they simply cannot make money. Think about poor immigrant families of ten people. There is no way to educate the children, no way to get a college degree without falling financially. The cycle continuesWikipedian

[QUOTE="Free_Marxet"][QUOTE="Ryir554"]

actually, America was found on the principle of equality, so Socialism is more American then Capatalism which says that we should all compete to become richer and therefore "better" then one another.

BTW I am American and am a registered Socialist. But thats what I love about America, we can all have different views and its okay.

Wikipedian

so, some people have more rights than others?