The great achievements and advancements of Socialism

[sooda]

Thank you, this was also in my mind as well. I thought it when I was in a Hispanic neighborhood yesterday, where a garage-turned-multiple residence as well as a trailer were discovered behind a home on a property where multiple families were all living here in Los Angeles...

...I was thinking about how that communal "village" was ugly, and imagined myself growing up there, how I might consider my life living that way. I would have less hopes and dreams, because I would be caught up blending too much with those around me. I would be destined to just "blend" for my entire life, living up to others expectations around me - the elders, the neighbors, etc.

I find that style of life outdated. I find individual family units (and individualism itself) more desirable than communal life.

It's a common immigrant experience.

 

[Cooky]

What is unique to socialism..? I Don't care about "improving" what capitalism has already created. Thanks.

 

[Cooky]

It's a common immigrant experience.

No it's not.

 

[sooda]

No it's not.

Of course it is.

I have seen it first hand.. A few years back I relocated to a new town and bought a house. While waiting for the house to close I stayed at a Motel 6.. The parents ran three motels and lived on site. The children were in college and worked part time. The grandparents who spoke no English ran laundry services... They were Vietnamese . All lived on site.

This is NOT unusual for immigrants and it sure isn't socialism.

 

[Cooky]

Of course it is.

Well, That's what we can all hope for with socialism and it's communal aspects. But That's not what I want for my children's future.

I want my children to live as individuals, and cut their own paths.

 

[Cooky]

This is a culture war.

 

[Cooky]

It's a tribalist invasion, and I will not submit.

...Individualism and family units under capitalism is the future I will fight for. It is what I consider progress.

 

[icehorse]

I'd like to know what definition of "socialism" this thread is using? E.g. Finland style or USSR style?

 

[ChristineM]

But these are just political / ideological preferences. These are not concrete examples of profound achievements in their own right.

With capitalism, we have stock exchanges, shopping malls, industrial complexes, wealth in the United States that surpasses anything ever seen...

...These are solid achievements.

Yes, socialist political initiatives that count as great achievements and advancements as per the question in your OP

You may not like them but that is besides the point.

The US has considerable drawbacks that its wealth could help alleviate if a little socialism were used.

 

[Cooky]

Well, all I can say is welcome to the mindset of an American conservative...

...Show me inside yours. I want to see what you see.

 

[WalterTrull]

socialist political initiatives

Yeah, not called "Capitalist Security".

 

[sun rise]

 

[sun rise]

 

[pearl]

This thread is specifically about positive achievements only.

Begin with Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps, Head Start, Fair Housing, etc.

 

[ChristineM]

Yeah, not called "Capitalist Security".

What?

 

[BSM1]

Here's some admittedly anecdotal evidence from Paul Robeson, who said "The Soviet Union’s very existence, its example before the world of abolishing all discrimination based on color or nationality… this has given us Negroes the chance of achieving our complete liberation within our own time.”

They also encouraged migration, especially African migration as a means of lifting them up to the prestigious position of being considered people.

Note that this happened during the Jim Crow era.

When no one has personal choice (i.e., freedom) than all people are equally enslaved.

If you don't know, then you simply don't have a clue what "socialism" is and why it developed to try and deal with the "ills of capitalism". Even a fifth grader should know what programs we have in place to try and help the poor and the elderly, for examples.

Then educate us instead of berating our intelligence.

 

[osgart]

Extremes of capitalism or socialism are not healthy. You need to strike a balance where the initiatives are clear. Big government is wasteful, and no government is oppressive rule.

America can uniquely incorporate both systems without sacrificing individuality.

Human nature is to be king of the hill, that is why socialism has not been very effective.

But the middle class is eroding quick enough, something has to be done to preserve the American way of life. Perhaps a new form of cooperative currency could exist alongside capitalism.

Education and incentive would be the things that would drive the poor out of poverty. I think most people have the right to education and healthcare.

Perhaps people do not have the discipline and motivation to make moderate socialism effective while preserving individual rights.

Its hard to ignore the human plight where survival of the fittest to the environment rules the day. By nature there will always be the motivation to lose the weak.

For socialism to work, you gotta be highly motivated to help the poor and i do not think people want to be bothered with that.

 

[WalterTrull]

What?

It's called social security not capitalist security

 

[PureX]

Universal health care
Universal secure retirement
Universal education
Community owned utility providers
Community owned emergency services
Equal access to legal representation

These are all the result of socialism.

 

[osgart]

Universal health care
Universal secure retirement
Universal education
Community owned utility providers
Community owned emergency services
Equal access to legal representation

These are all the result of socialism.

It only stands to reason that those things you mentioned should ever be so. I would hate to see those things be eliminated.

Human nature needs an update if they dont see a need for those things.