Socialism in grades..

[Kayless]

http://www.snopes.com...ge/exam/socialism.asp
This probably never happened but it serves as brilliant explanation as to why socialism cannot possibly work. So why are there still people who think socialsm can work?

[tonywiltshire]

There will always be people, who believe some form of Socialism will work,
unfortunately people are not equal in ability and those who contribute more
will want to take more, this is human nature and will never change.

[sandyRoe]

Aren't things like social housing, the NHS, and the benefits system examples of socialism working?
I don't think I'd want to live in the USA where it seems to be 'devil take the hindmost'.

[Kayless]

No Sandy someone has to make the wealth to cover those things.

[jno]

the USA uses a socialist system in running the NFL, funnily enough

http://libertysflame....dart.cgi?ArtNum=17010

[tonywiltshire]

Sandy, Social housing is a good example of a Socialist system working in housing only, even then it is abused by wealthy people living in Social housing and in doing so keeping out those who may be on a low income with strong housing needs.

[sandyRoe]

In America at the minute the wealthy are getting richer. In contrast, the middle level workers haven't seen an increase in their incomes, in real terms, for years. Yet there are many more middle class people than there are wealthy. Which of those groups is producing the wealth?
It's a sad reflection on American society that people dread long term illness because they know it will ruin them financially.

[Clanad]

Love her or hate her, it was your own Maggie Thatcher that, quite correctly, said "Socialist governments traditionally do make a financial mess. They always run out of other people's money. It's quite a characteristic of them..."

Actually, thoroughly understood, the National Football League (NFL) here in the U.S., is an example of a top down Oligarchy, since all financial power is retained by and within the ownership... the teams are not publicly traded on Wall Street, meaning, I can't buy shares in any team. The players have formed a union, but it works less than satisfactorily. All in all, both the players and the owners make fantastic sums, since the enormous stadiums in which they play (only 6 months out of the year) are financed by the taxpayers who, in turn, charge the owners a sum to repay the bonds... over 20 to 25 years, usually. Same thing holds for American style baseball...

[tonywiltshire]

It is a fact that people all over the world are concerned over health problems as the cost can be far more than just the hospital costs, but why if the US system is so poor do people try to enter the country, legally and illegally?

[Kayless]

The US health care system is a disasterous disgrace, I don't often quote Michael Moore but watch his film Sicko to understand the full horror of the US system.

[tonywiltshire]

I do not agree with you Kayless, why do so many people want to become a part of the USA?

[sandyRoe]

The fact that they want to go to the States says more about where they're coming from than anything else.

[tonywiltshire]

People come from all over, including the UK & NI, and from all types of government and try to enter the USA, I have lived and worked in both countries and have no problem with the US system, but prefer the British.

[LazyGun]

@ Kayless - It does nothing of the sort. It offers an illustration of one persons belief as to why "socialism" doesnt work, and says more about the authors understanding of what socialism actually means, rather than what it actually is.

[tonywiltshire]

Good, we are back to Socialism.
There will always be people, who believe some form of Socialism will work,
unfortunately people are not equal in ability and those who contribute more
will want to take more, this is human nature and will never change.

[naomi24]

Tony, I disagree. People who contribute most to the system don't usually want to take more. They strive to be self-sufficient. We rarely take anything at all - but we contribute plenty. It's natural, and right, for people to want to reap the benefits of their labour. If that is taken away, there is no incentive to work hard to improve ones standard of living.

[New Judge]

On a purely practical note, socialism will never work because sooner or later (usually sooner) you run out of other people's money to spend.

(I take no credit for this philosophy, but I recall it being said by somebody who knows far more about this sort of thing than I ever will. I've always remembered it and it seems to be quite true).

[HowardKennitby]

For Clanad

Re NFL etc.

Can you explain why anyone(city taxpayers) is prepared to build stadiums for these teams rather that have them finance their own facility?
Also, I have heard in the past that the 'College Draft' system that is operated by the major sports is actually illegal and would not ever survive any legal challenge. It only exists because all agree it is the best way to prevent any one team achieving permanent dominance of any sport.
Appreciate your input on this.

[Clanad]

There are two trains of thought on the subjects of public financing of sports stadiums, Howard. One being that the added activity, such as parking fees, restaurants, souvenirs, hotel rooms, etc., will generate tax income the city would not otherwise see. In fact, owners of the teams hold it as a club over the heads of the cities threatening to move their team to a friendlier city if a new stadium isn't built.
However, the other thought, backed up by a lot of data, is that years after being built, the stadiums still aren't paid for and the city has actually lost money that could have been used for more useful projects... escpecially in blighted areas.
It comes down to any major city wanting (along with the fans, of course) sports teams for the ego stoking that goes along with it.
Actually, (on another metioned subject) we read here that NHS is not doing that well and health care in the U.K., for all practical purposes, is rationed and will become more so in the future. Canada is deep in talks to restructure their own government funded (read: taxes) system.
About every other week or so, we see news reports aobut Canadians that can't get needed services and elect to come to the U.S. and pay for it, getting it quickly and efficiently.
Thing is, world-wide, health care is going to continue to eat up major sections of governemnt funding and severe rationing will be the result. A government can offer full and unlimited healthcare because people, being people, will jaunt off the Doctor's office each time they have a twinge... in y opinion...

[Kayless]

So what is socialism then lazygun?