Jams Member Username: Jams
Post Number: 7858 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, March 09, 2009 - 11:58 pm: | |
quote:In other words, our respective social contracts each have their advantages but are too ingrained in culture and tradition to imagine trading places. Americans are defined by a history of immigration in pursuit of freedom and opportunity. We are more individualistic, enterprising, and protective of liberties that most Europeans do not expect, such as owning guns, working 70-hour weeks, or appreciating nature as it goes by at 60 mph on a snowmobile. Founded in rebellion against colonial tyranny, our country is naturally suspicious of government intrusion, interference, and snooping. European systems, by comparison, grow out of a tradition of the state providing social benefits for workers that stretches back to Bismarck and Germany in the 1880s. To overgeneralize, Europeans have less suspicion of officialdom, don't view the right to get rich as sacrosanct, and demand stronger social safety nets. Their more homogenous and static societies place a higher premium on equality, security, and stability. Such historically grounded differences explain why the European model of social democracy would be unlikely to find root here, even if the president favored it. But Obama shows every sign of instinctively resisting paternalistic and overarching public sector authority as much as most Americans do. Though the president's overall vision of government's role remains somewhat foggy, his approach to problem-solving reflects the national urge to rein in government even while one is busy expanding it. http://www.slate.com/id/221304 0/ |
Firstandten Member Username: Firstandten
Post Number: 767 Registered: 05-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 3:24 am: | |
This article pretty much sums up his approach as far as the economy. Yes, he is changing spending priorities but he has said he believes in capitalism. His changing spending priorities reflect his belief in expanding the social safety nets not in government controlling the means of production. As a matter of fact I believe progressives and liberals will be disapointed in what our health care reform is going to look like. All President Obama has said is that he wants health care coverage for all at a lower price. I don't think he is necessarily in favor of a single payer health care system run by the government. Obama has stated that the American people like the employer based system they just want it to be more affordable, plus he sees a role for insurance companies in the reform that health care will eventually take. I've heard people call Obama a "compassionate capitalist". Before people throw the "S" word around trying to scare people take the time to read his books in which he pretty much spells out how he would govern. |
Jams Member Username: Jams
Post Number: 7859 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 3:02 pm: | |
The word most used about Obama, other than those that learned to spell \i"socialism" just recently, is pragmatic. So far in this presidency that seems to be correct. |
Detroitej72 Member Username: Detroitej72
Post Number: 1310 Registered: 05-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 7:05 pm: | |
Right wing talking heads have been tossing the 'socalist' labal quite liberaly(pun intended!) ever since Obama won the presidency. It is a scare tactic, much the same as the color warnning levels Bush used in the days before the 04 election. Remember how it rose every day, but after he won, it mysteriously stopped rising. The fringe right pretty much wrote the playbook on fear mongering. Remember all the times Palin would say he was freinds with terrorists? Or, the right wing groups who started chain-emails about Obama being a closet Muslum Fundamentalist. Now, with their party soundly beaten, they continue to come up with new ways to scare people. Unfortunatly for them, the American Public is onto their silly little games, thus such a high approval rating for the president. |
Ccbatson Member Username: Ccbatson
Post Number: 19331 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 11:04 pm: | |
First, he is doing his best to bring it here. Second, why call it social democracy when it is socialism? |
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz
Post Number: 6776 Registered: 12-2005
| Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 11:25 pm: | |
It's transparent hyperbole. |
Ccbatson Member Username: Ccbatson
Post Number: 19340 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 11:29 pm: | |
Or is it that liberals deceive knowing the true nature of their agenda? |
Otter Member Username: Otter
Post Number: 671 Registered: 12-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 11:33 pm: | |
Yes, Bats. Liberals deceive knowing the true nature of their agenda. Thank flying spaghetti monster that there are people like you to expose their deceit! Conservatives will rescue this country yet with their rationality. O. |
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz
Post Number: 6777 Registered: 12-2005
| Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 11:41 pm: | |
The right wing has become incoherent. |
Ccbatson Member Username: Ccbatson
Post Number: 19380 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Thursday, March 12, 2009 - 8:27 pm: | |
So why call it social democracy when it is socialism if not to deceive? Didn't he also make a follow up call to reporters defending himself from the label of socialist recently? Why would he feel compelled to do that? He protests way too much. |
Gibran Member Username: Gibran
Post Number: 4595 Registered: 02-2007
| Posted on Thursday, March 12, 2009 - 8:48 pm: | |
funny how the "throw enough mud crowd" hopes that things will stick ..in reality since 60% of the population feels differently maybe if we chose to ignore behavior it may just go away...it sure is working on Palin. |
Otter Member Username: Otter
Post Number: 675 Registered: 12-2007
| Posted on Friday, March 13, 2009 - 12:44 am: | |
Obviously, because he is a deceptive socialist. Deception is the only thing that liberal communist fascists can do in order to sucker the whole country into drinking their Kool Aid. Keep spreading the word, Bats. O. |
Ccbatson Member Username: Ccbatson
Post Number: 19399 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Friday, March 13, 2009 - 11:11 pm: | |
Bravo Otter, a very sensible and accurate comment. |
Jams Member Username: Jams
Post Number: 7881 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 12:03 am: | |
Otter, Cc has your back now, you should be able to sleep well. |
Jams Member Username: Jams
Post Number: 7882 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 12:05 am: | |
Hee-hee |
20043_stotter Member Username: 20043_stotter
Post Number: 830 Registered: 03-2007
| Posted on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 8:55 am: | |
Otter, You and one other are in the running, to take over Lefty's place as Batman's "Bobbin'". Him praising you puts you in front. Good luck to you. |
Ccbatson Member Username: Ccbatson
Post Number: 19402 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 10:22 am: | |
Nah..probably delirious at the time. |
Firstandten Member Username: Firstandten
Post Number: 795 Registered: 05-2006
| Posted on Monday, March 23, 2009 - 1:32 am: | |
Dr Ravi Batra makes a strong case that Pres Reagan was the true great socialist http://www.truthout.org/032009 R |
Danny Member Username: Danny
Post Number: 4573 Registered: 02-2004
| Posted on Monday, March 23, 2009 - 8:33 am: | |
We Americans broke away from European social culture 230 years. This nation is not like Europe, filled with the middle class and rich and screw the poor. Most nations in Europe holds its political power through the Papacy of Roman Catholic Church not just from Kings, Queens and Prime Ministers and they not into the assimulation of American culture (if we define our nation). |
Ccbatson Member Username: Ccbatson
Post Number: 19611 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Monday, March 23, 2009 - 3:56 pm: | |
What a dolt that Ravi Batra is!! Transferring wealth from its' producers to anyone else is socialistic. Allowing the producer to keep more of what is theirs in the first place, is the opposite of socialism. |
Otter Member Username: Otter
Post Number: 683 Registered: 12-2007
| Posted on Monday, March 23, 2009 - 4:17 pm: | |
20043_stotter, I was kidding! I thought the silliness of what I wrote was self-evident (I was trying to write more or less in bats' style of sweeping, incoherent assertions) but attempts at parody can sometimes be too subtle. I don't post often enough (especially in the OT section) to expect anybody to be able to tell based on other things I've written Jams, My friend I.L. already has my back, but Bats can have his back O. |
Gistok Member Username: Gistok
Post Number: 6254 Registered: 08-2004
| Posted on Monday, March 23, 2009 - 4:29 pm: | |
Otter, you had some folks worried (there are folks who actually believe that kind of stuff)... and next time don't forget to leave out "anti-Christ" in you description of the president! That'll get an AMEN from the more religious Freedom Fries folks! |
Rb336 Member Username: Rb336
Post Number: 8745 Registered: 02-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 - 8:17 am: | |
"Transferring wealth from its' producers to anyone else is socialistic." exactly why we need unions, to protect the workers who add the value that creates wealth from the blood-sucking leeches in upper management |
Ccbatson Member Username: Ccbatson
Post Number: 19632 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 - 5:09 pm: | |
Workers are marginal producers...the owner of the company is the real producer. As unions threaten the well being of the REAL producers, that is the last thing needed in the equation. |
Rb336 Member Username: Rb336
Post Number: 8754 Registered: 02-2007
| Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 - 9:16 am: | |
total BS bats. absolutely unsupportable with the facts. what, exactly, does the owner produce? what value does HE or SHE add? that is marginal. it is the labor that goes in to changing a lump of clay into a vase that adds the value, not the guy that owns the shop |
Danindc Member Username: Danindc
Post Number: 4610 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 - 9:29 am: | |
quote:Workers are marginal producers...the owner of the company is the real producer. As unions threaten the well being of the REAL producers, that is the last thing needed in the equation. You tell us how well your medical practice would operate without nurses, receptionists, bookkeepers, and clerical (billing) staff. It's all you, buddy! Time to produce! |
Jams Member Username: Jams
Post Number: 7955 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 - 9:38 am: | |
Hey, he can endorse those Medicare/Medicaid checks fine, all by himself. |
Ccbatson Member Username: Ccbatson
Post Number: 19657 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 - 5:54 pm: | |
Working for a producer is not the same as being the producer. THe investment (intellectual and otherwise), risk, and responsibility do not fall on the employees. Therefore, the profits should not either. The contractually agreed to payment and benefits to the employee for services rendered is all that should be expected. |
Jams Member Username: Jams
Post Number: 7967 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 - 7:39 pm: | |
And therefore anything beyond the basic automaton behavior may not be expected. |
Jams Member Username: Jams
Post Number: 7968 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 - 7:49 pm: | |
What a pretentious piece of BS. You have lived on the Government teat all your life, yet you think you know what others who have actually worked for a living are worth? |
Flanders_field Member Username: Flanders_field
Post Number: 1861 Registered: 01-2008
| Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 - 7:51 pm: | |
quote:Workers are marginal producers...the owner of the company is the real producer. As indicated on Page 19657, Section Cc, Paragraph B, of The Official & Unabridged Encyclopedia Of Batsonia (21st Century Edition) No such thing as CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, Boards of Directors, investors, creditors, or stockholders...Yep, Capitalism is all about private & sole ownership of the production. (Message edited by Flanders_field on March 25, 2009) |
Otter Member Username: Otter
Post Number: 686 Registered: 12-2007
| Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 - 8:12 pm: | |
Some people have some goofy ideas on what it means to produce something. O. |
Ccbatson Member Username: Ccbatson
Post Number: 19678 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 - 6:13 pm: | |
Close, but just far enough off Flanders. Corporations are a collection of individuals and synonymous with individual as far as these conversations are concerned. |