Drudge linked to a Rasmussen report today with the headline: "Just 53% Say Capitalism Better Than Socialism." Frankly, I am amazed that so many people think that capitalism is better. That's a good sign. Also, I wonder if most Americans, especially the younger ones could even give an adequate definition of socialism and capitalism. Perhaps they just hear the buzzword, Socialism, and say that is better, like some kind of trained parrot. No surprise there, with what they learn in many schools.
posted by Helen at 10:21 AM
23 Comments:
What kind of loser isn't an investor?
It is only that high because most of them think we have capitalism now.
I expected support for capitalism to be around 85 to 90%, so I'm kind of disappointed/freaked out by this poll. We're a few percent away from having a permanent majority voting bloc that wants us to be like Western European countries. That is scary.
locatz deluxe for backward thinking...
they go to schools in the US, they learn about capitalism..
and the capitalism/socialism manicheanism is a sign of dumb thought..
We've socialized farming for some 30 years. And national defense.
who cared about that?
But talk about socializing medicine.. or failed banks
Tight pantied folks get all bunched.
The irony is that while people are fighting over capitalism and socialism, fascism is alive and going strong right here in the good ol' USA.
"Capitalism" is a Marxist term, it is not an economic system.
All capitalism means is saving money (capital) and investing it to make more money. This cannot be done outside of a free market, free enterprise system with complete transparency and accountability.
What I find most amazing about the current debat over the economy is the fundamental inability to understand the difference between an asset and a liability.
Simply put, an asset generates income. A liability generates expenses.
So all this talk about toxic assets is just that, talk or farting out the mouth. If it is not generating income but expenses, it is not an asset but actually a liability.
Hello! So why then is Tiny Tim Geithner proposing that taxpayers pay $100 for a $1 "toxic asset" in the hope that one day it will be worth $30?
Because he's in bed with the banks. This is not capitalism but corporatism--privatize the gains, socialize the losses.
It comes as no surprise to me that most young people do not understand "captalism," which more accurately would be called free enterprise. They don't understand money.
Because he's in bed with the banks. This is not capitalism but corporatism--privatize the gains, socialize the losses.
Ahh, the joys of fascism.
Fascism it is. Coming next: The Youth Corps.
"I wonder if most Americans, especially the younger ones could even give an adequate definition of socialism and capitalism."
It is clear from the mainstream media 'discourse' on this issue that most of the talking heads that populate the tv could not do so either. There is no need to pick on 'younger Americans' here. If younger Americans do not understand the distinction, they simply reproduce the ignorance of their elders at home and in the public sphere.
d. eris,
Older Americans are not as ignorant. The Rasmussen report indicated that just 13% of those older Americans believe socialism is better. In order for so many older people to reject it, they must have had a pretty good understanding of history.
The Rasmussen report indicated that just 13% of those older Americans believe socialism is better. In order for so many older people to reject it, they must have had a pretty good understanding of history.
Unfortunately, if groups like AARP are any guide, many older people are quite content to demand socialism that benefits them, e.g. Social Security and Medicare.
It seems that I'm not so crazy after all.
Another interesting survey question would be: Define “rights”.
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Hmmm. Isn't 53% also roughly the percentage of us that actually pay taxes vs. those that don't?
A communitarian conformist ethic is being taught in the public schools by all those Democrat unionized tenured teachers.
So duh. Young people without life experience are very generous with other people's money. Especially while they are still dependent on parents and government money to house and feed and educate them. They want the handouts to continue.
Growing up means getting a job and paying taxes and then one isn't as enthusiastic about handing over one's own hard-earned moolah.
Dependents always want more handouts.
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I started noticing back in the late 80's all of the people out and about & not at work during the day- of course I don't think anyone on this blog is employed or employ-able.
It's 1 in 4 people are now dependent on the government.
Who are the vast majority of these 'people?' That's right.. women. And what do they do all day? Watch trash TV and EAT like coackraoches- ha. All paid for by the government, ex-husbands and society at large.
It's really very simple- men produce- women CONSUME. That's why half of them are the size of a Volvo. Ah God it gives me the shivers.
There really aren't any countries that practice our form of government or any I can find in histroy- it's not really socialism or communism- it's more like 'cock roach-ism.' Men work & the women are parasites.
Anyone got a better desciptive term?
I didn't think so.
mark hays --
"...of course I don't think anyone on this blog is employed or employ-able."
Was that a purposeful self-jape?
Uh, no. Yours truly is gainfully employed- notice how I never seem to have anything in common with any of you? All of your arguments go in circles to nowhere.. a lot like your lives.
Mr. Hays,
You make a very valid observation and yet combine it with a petty ad hominem(it's not even a decent one). That is unless you're job is to watch others and grade their lives, which you seem to make out. Then you might be able to grade what my life is worth. But gainfully employed? Good for you, good for you.
But you're correct that there is a large amount of the population who is out during the day. This could account for any number of factors, people with a day off from work, people who work the night shift(yes, Mr. Hays, not everyone works during the day), or they could be people on their lunch break(not everyone eats lunch during their lunch break), or any number of other possibilities. While there are quite a few parasites, there are also valid reasons for being out as well.
And before Mr. Hays chooses to attack me, as I have little doubt he will try to do. I'm a student, I'm preparing for class. Afterwards, I'll go off to work. Yes, Mr. Hays, while my work might be a bit tedious, I work too. I work too.
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Now, onto the main topic. I'm of the opinion that most of the population, minus the political savvy, actually doesn't know what socialism and capitalism is. Therefore, they're heavily influenced by the media on their perceptions of the two ideas. Capitalism is, after all, now the favorite villain(meaning the Businessman) of TV and films.
WOW! You have a job?!? Someone on here is employed? INCREDIBLE. Of course you're a 'student.'
Let me guess- liberal arts, right? Now you can go nowhere in life even faster- congradulations.
Where do you people come from? Are you all really that naive to be suckered in by TV & movies and the dreams of children? GROW UP!
Capitalism is a misnomer - because even socialists are capitalists - they all employ capital, which is a means of production, however what is different is the ownership and control. Socialism is an illusion that the people are in charge, while free market ownership through stocks is true ownership.
Few people also realize the US government is rapidly moving towards an oligarchy which is primarily national-socialist (Nazi). How? When the New London Condo cases cleared the SCOTUS with blessings, all bets are off in terms of free enterprise. Control is managed by the US and state governments (and the "green" movement is a big part of obtaining control). Check out George Will's WaPo article on IL Casino Riverboats $$ being swiped by IL to directly hand over to RaceTracks.
Tea parties? Not for long. We're on the road to something ugly. Of course creating anarchy on purpose makes a nice stage for a power grab.
Several posters have said they don't believe many don't know the difference between capitalism and socialism, and I believe they are correct.
I debated quite heavily this weekend and as I was going through the fundamentals of liberty my 'opponent' agreed to basically everything. But yet, he still thought we need a dash of socialism.
He could not define what he meant by socialism other than it was "something good".
It is quite easy to brainwash people making them believe altruism is a virtue, and that the basics of socialism is to do good onto others.
Many European countries have gone a long way in indoctrinating the population into this way of thinking, and the US is in full speed towards the cliffs as well.
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