A lot of the modern socialist components have been artificially created within the constitution. The legalization of the income tax for example, which original Republicans held as an unconstitutional. New Deal policies were also artificially made constitutional by FDR's supreme court. In a different time any one of FDR's policies would have been struck down.

Income tax and the 17th amendment were the beginning of the end for this country

I perfectly summed up this whole thread in 10 seconds.

Pure socialism is stupid, because there is no natural incentive to work. Pure free-market capitalism is stupid, because there is nothing to stop uncompetitive collusion and exploitation. The only proper economic system is somewhere between the two. Most people agree with this, they just disagree on where between the two is the optimal position. By the way, does anyone actually think Obama is a communist? Hell, Bernie Sanders isn't even a proper communist!


Also, to respond to Jai, for me, a government should ensure that its citizens can live safely. Some programs enable those who cannot work (due to a physical disability or another problem) to do something other than beg and/or starve to death. I happen to think that these programs are a good thing (yay not starving!) but these programs are a form of socialism. If we go all the way to communism, there is no incentive to work, which would be terrible. So I would in no way advocate communism, but I think certain socialist policies are very good things.

Finally, to respond to ripper, why would you assume he's communist when he claims he likes socialism. By that logic, you support a smaller government, so I'll decide you're an anarchist. Or, anyone who says they have a religion can be assumed to be a Muslim terrorist who's trying to kill you.

"Wait, that's the Pope I just killed in 'self defense'? How can you blame me, he didn't specify his religion!"

Edited 1/23/2016 02:43:36

Free market capitalism has the best track record. With which policies do you agree Pierr?

Edited 1/23/2016 02:40:45

I agree with facets of each ideology. Free market capitalism tempered by socialist policies will always produce a better result than either pure free-market or communist polices alone, in my opinion.

Some programs enable those who cannot work (due to a physical disability or another problem) to do something other than beg and/or starve to death

Yeah okay this I agree with. If you have a legitimate mental, physical, or physiological disability that prevents someone from working full-time or in complete capacity I would support social safety nets to provide them an adequate standard of living. Other than though, the entitlement programs of the US are highly bloated.

... steal from the rich it's criminal. But stealing from the poor? That's capitalism.” - Jacob Frye (Assassin's Creed Syndicate).

such ebin maymay sirsalty. muh vidya quotes such deep filosofy. Also if they're poor then how did the wealthy become wealthy by stealing from them? wouldn't they become middle class? Also in what way are the wealthy stealing from people? Are they sneaking into peoples houses at night and taking shit. Because statistics show that poor people are more likely to steal.

Edited 1/23/2016 02:56:57

English motherfucker do you speak it ?

You've spent hours squabbling but one line from an assassins creed game shows the stupidity of Capitalism.

So I hope we can all agree that pure free-market capitalism and communism/socialism both have some good ideas, and that neither of them is perfect. Each of them could be improved by utilizing parts of the other. Our only debate is about which tenets of each should be included in our eventual amalgamation of the two.

Also Salty, that quote showed nothing... If you wanted to point out the stupidity of pure free-market capitalism, you should probably look at externalities, public goods, exploitation, monopolies, or collusion, not a quote from a video game that makes an unsubstantiated claim.

Edited 1/23/2016 02:58:28

I speak italian. I only know how to read and write english.

I completely support free market capitalism.

Obvious Pulp fiction quote is obvious.

Never seen it.

Jai i watched that video too it was s lot of conservative hogwash but it did get an unbiased message across.

People trying to put us down
Talking about my generation

The bureaucracy is expanding to meet the needs of the expanding bureaucracy.

When i give to the poor, they call me a saint. When i ask why there are poor, they call me a communist

Good quote Genghis