The Fear of Marx.

[Peron]

There seems to be quit the fear when it comes to discussing Marxism and socialism. Socialism is thought by popular belief to infringe on social rights, individual rights, and civil rights. When talking about socialism people suddenly resort to saying, "Ugh Socialism, I don't want to be part of no collective!". If you go into deeper discussion with the individual you realize that most of the information they have gathered on socialism came from news networks such as, FOX and men like Glenn Beck.

 

It has been thought for as long as I can remember that socialism and it's ideals have failed to work. Closer examination reveals that Marxist ideals have worked in many countries.

 

Man by nature is a social creature but also a individualist,

 

Man is, at one and the same time, a solitary being and a social being. As a solitary being, he attempts to protect his own existence and that of those who are closest to him, to satisfy his personal desires, and to develop his innate abilities. As a social being, he seeks to gain the recognition and affection of his fellow human beings, to share in their pleasures, to comfort them in their sorrows, and to improve their conditions of life.

 

A quote from Albert Einstein's article, Why Socialism?

http://www.monthlyreview.org/598einstein.php

 

Social Democracy is used in many countries today, including Sweden.

Sweden is a prime example of Social Democracy at work. Sweden has one of the most impressive economic systems in the world, with a 38,000$ GDP-per capita. A strong socialized health care system and welfare system.

Sweden has achieved a very high standard of living. Eighty percent of Sweden's labour force is unionised.

 

The Sweden model is a impressive model a very good example of social democracy.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Sweden)

But to say that social democracy is the only key player in Sweden's success would be to lie. Social Democracy works on a mixed economy, with privative companies and some subsidised sectors such as Healthcare, welfare, civil care, education, and child care.

Unlike, popular belief Social Democracy advocates social justice, human rights, social rights, civil rights and civil liberties. Ideals that should be adopted by all systems not only social democracy.

 

Should people be scared of Socialism? After reading this are you still a skeptic that socialism can work? Should America adapt social democratic ideals, such as socialized, education health, and welfare? Would adapting these ideals help our society?

[bascule]

It's an outgrowth of McCarthyism, at least in the US. Russia is bad, therefore Communism is bad, therefore Marx is bad.

[Peron]

It's an outgrowth of McCarthyism, at least in the US. Russia is bad, therefore Communism is bad, therefore Marx is bad.

 

If social democracy is so successful in in countries like Sweden, France and for that matter the European Union. Why is there so much misinformation out there?

The great United Sates ranks number 13 on the Quality of Life index. On top of United States sit European states which practice Social Democracy.

 

I think once people get beyond the Glen Beck lies and the evil communists, then we could actually give socialism a chance.

[bascule]

If social democracy is so successful in in countries like Sweden, France and for that matter the European Union. Why is there so much misinformation out there?

 

Because there's a large portion of our population grounded in these sorts of misconceptions who bandy about terms like "communist" and "socialist" as generic insults, typically with virtually no understanding of what they actually mean. These are not people who try to edify themselves about reality, and prefer living in a fantasy world of misconceptions.

[Peron]

Why doesn't congress give it a chance, or do the misconceptions and smearing go all the way down that road as well? Pass a bill at least advocating socialized healthcare and education. I know a lot of people who wanted to go to college but they could not, because of the high prices.