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whatever on 25 October 2008
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HappySqurriel said:
akuma587 said:
TheSource said:

The USA is more capitalist than any country in the world but it is still heavily influenced by socialism. There is nothing terrible about socialism really so long as it isn't totalliterean. The issue alot of voters think if the the government has the rights to tax and provide services you dont want...whats to stop it from taking away other freedoms, beyond economic ones

Hong Kong is probably more capitalistic than the U.S., but that is the only example I can think of.

OT: The U.S. is way more socialist than most people are willing to admit or even realize.  Socialism is a dirty word in name only.  People love the U.S.'s socialist policies and would revolt if you tried to take them away.  Its a really interesting logical conundrum.

 

 

 I’ve seen several interviews with Jonah Goldberg who wrote a book called Liberal Fascism which I intend on reading because he has brought up some interesting things; part of the reason I want to actually read the book is to see whether he can back up the interesting 5 to 10 minute discussions with facts and well thought out arguments.

One of the things that he pointed out was that Fascism is amazingly popular because it is never sold as a loss of personal rights and freedoms to a totalitarian government, it is typically promoted as an increase in the role of government to solve social/economic problems (often in the shape of "socialist" social programs). As the size and power of the government increases people have less ability to handle abuses of that power by the government and it (tends to) fall down the slippery slope of becoming a totalitarian regime.

I’m in no way saying that social programs that are proposed by any major party in a democracy in the western world will lead to a fascist state. All I am saying is ... Just because something the government does is popular doesn’t mean they should take on that role, and everyone should be careful to not allow the government to increase its power without putting in place proper checks and balances.

BTW, fascism is neither a left or right philosophy.  It is born of extreme "nationalism" and can come from either side of the spectrum.  It's mainly borne of blind patriotism and stiffling dissent by portraying it as treasonous.  It is far more prevalent right now in the republican party.  Just watch some of the hateful comments at the mccain/palin rallies or go watch Michelle Bachmann on hardball for how it begins.