Thread: What does Socialist mean to you?

I just don't think the old Left/ Right divides, and accompanying nomenclature, really apply anymore.
Socialism and even 'Communism' have embraced the market economy- that was critical. At least if they are to work.
So what is left in this divide? Far Right and Far Left increasingly resemble each other really. They don't tolerate pluralism.
Maybe just Philosophy- good Government works for, and ultimately is accountable to, the People. Judge on result delivery.
And respect peoples opinion, and our diversity- we are a pluralistic bunch, be it your country or another. Their opinion matters too.

Socialism is the equal sharing of misery, it is the politics of envy and the surest way of stifling ambition.

Originally Posted by baldrick

why do you use the word comrade when disparaging socialism ? it is not communism

They are both bedfellows and ideological philosphoes born of Marx's ideas.

Socialist means to me..."you've got fvck all and want to share it with everyone ".

Originally Posted by Joe 90

Socialist means to me..."you've got fvck all and want everyone else to share theirs with you ".

FTFY.

Originally Posted by taxexile

and the surest way of stifling ambition

like free university education ?

And Healthcare?

Originally Posted by sabang

And Healthcare?

Up to a point.

Bulk Billing, BUT with a user contribution.

$10 per visit, capped out at $300 a year for those with chronic illnesses.

Applies to EVERYONE ... including the pennies

---

I was selling newspapers at age 12, mowing neighbour's lawns at 14, I slept in the breeze way with the fridge at my head, the toilet to the left and the backdoor at my feet in our 2 bedroom war Veteran's home till I was 15. Pocket money was 50C a week.

We had nothing ... not even a car.

I learnt the value of money and hard work at an early age.

Originally Posted by baldrick

like free university education ?

There's no such thing as free. Someone, somewhere is paying for it.

.....

Originally Posted by David48atTD

Bollocks to that ... I paid for my Uni degree (one of 'dem fancy Sandstone Unis) ... Bach of Business.

User pay.

No upfront cost ... sweet

Low, low interest rate ... sweet

Discount for a lump repayment ... sweet

No repayments till I was earning decent coin ... sweet

I had a relatively minor upfront cost, but the HECS system was a good one.

Ayyy, it were tuff Obediah. But these kids o' today...

Originally Posted by sabang

Ayyy, it were tuff Obediah. But these kids o' today...

We NEVER had a car, never went on 'Holidays'.

When I was living the the breezeway in our home, my clothes closet consisted of a couple of suitcases from the Charity shop, which was slid under my bed.

Relatively, times were tough.

One day, I opened the door in the bathroom cupboard and counted 63 cakes of soap. I asked Dad about it and his reply was ... Son, you never know.

I shared that story a few times with other adults. One day someone asked me when when my Dad was born.
I told them and they simply replied, "Mate, your Dad lived through a Depression ... back then to saved up everything"

I read the bleeding hearts talking just how 'tough things are now' ... "we are living below the poverty line" ... and I just think BULLSHIT.

They might be living 'outside their comfort zone' ... but fuck me, that sure ain't living in poverty.

Originally Posted by sabang

Do you know the average life expectancy in commie, 'third world' China has recently surpassed that of the USA?

Originally Posted by David48atTD

77.30 years
The current life expectancy for China in 2022 is 77.30 years, a 0.22% increase from 2021. The life expectancy for China in 2021 was 77.13 years, a 0.22% increase from 2020.



79.05 years
The current life expectancy for U.S. in 2022 is 79.05 years, a 0.08% increase from 2021. The life expectancy for U.S. in 2021 was 78.99 years, a 0.08% increase from 2020.

Oh dear . . . sabang using his alternative reality 'facts' again? China good, USA bad . . . that schtick.



Socialism . . . similar to what snubby said, western nations all have portions of socialism in their society, call it a social democracy if you wish.
There's a big difference between social and socialism.

What is ummm, concerning, is the stasis or erosion of average peoples living standards in the US PH- this while the already rich and corporations just keep getting richer. The wealth inequality is obscene, and I further believe 'money politics' (Citizens United etc) has changed the political system to a form of plutocracy- Congressmen do not even represent the interests of their Constituents any more, rather their sponsors. So forget about bloody China then, good or bad. They ain't complaining.

Did Willy wankstain read The Fountain Head or something ? Ha.

People like a willy think that democracy is the capitalism of politics when in reality , it's the socialism of politics.


The finance crony capitalism in the US starts to make socialiam look good. But that is all because of the Federal reserve

Originally Posted by sabang

What is ummm, concerning, is the stasis or erosion of average peoples living standards in the US PH- this while the already rich and corporations just keep getting richer. The wealth inequality is obscene

Is anyone disputing this? The US has long been the enemy of the working class.

Originally Posted by sabang

So forget about bloody China then, good or bad. They ain't complaining.

Well, they are but if they complain too loudly they'll be punished. You know it. I know it.

Originally Posted by David48atTD

Bollocks to that

who paid for your TAFE ?

Willy is a raving materialist. Jealously guarding his modest possessions and laughably claiming others are 'jealous' of his birdcage.

He makes shylock seem like Jesus.

Who was a socialist, of course

Now, another string of memes in response...

Some of his posts make me think that he would fit right in with the trumpanzees in America.

To be fair, I'm not sure any other part of the world does 'stoopid' quite like Florida, Texas etc.