Everything we feared about Communism ...

Warrigal

Warrigal

SF VIP
Location
Sydney, Australia
“Everything we feared about communism - that we would lose our houses and savings and be forced to labour eternally for meager wages with no voice in the system - has come true under capitalism.”
- Jeff Sparrow
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Not sure what I think about this. Exaggeration surely, but is there a kernel of truth?
 

It seems possible if we don't correct our situation at the moment like we have in the past. However, I still believe that democratic capitalism is the best "ism" there is...
 
Captalistic or Democratic Socialism is the best. Pure Capitalism gives you what we are getting.. All the money moving to the top.
 

I favour a mixed system - capitalism that is not unbridled. Regulation and limits are necessary and from time to time need to be reviewed. Also using taxation for social benefit of the people (which can be called socialism) is the other side of the coin.

Both are needed and there will be tension between the two.
 
Different systems appear as circumstances dictate and are usually driven by economic concerns...
 
Dame Warrigal said:
I favour a mixed system - capitalism that is not unbridled. Regulation and limits are necessary and from time to time need to be reviewed. Also using taxation for social benefit of the people (which can be called socialism) is the other side of the coin.

Both are needed and there will be tension between the two.
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That's what we had, but it was under constant assault by the wealthy who simply feel they should have it all and the other 99% should help them get it. Our government has been waylaid by lobbyists and special interests eager to buy politicians in order to keep rigging the game in their favor.
 
Ralphy1 said:
Yes, and the U.S. Has managed these corrections ever since their own until now...
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And you have the Conservatives on the Supreme Court to thank for the Citizen's United ruling allowing unlimited and anonymous money to flood the political system. That ruling was the end of democracy by allowing 14 or so billionaires to purchase our government. A constitutional amendment stating that Corporations are not people and money is NOT speech is what is needed.. Actually, it's the only one that is needed. That and along with some sensible campaign reform legislation.. Is there any chance of that happening with the current Congress?
 
That is the question, and the resolution better come within the foreseeable future or...
 
Well, there is always a homemade spear if you have a tree available. Seriously, though, we have survived other distortions in our economy so we probably will this time...
 
Ralphy1 said:
Well, there is always a homemade spear if you have a tree available. Seriously, though, we have survived other distortions in our economy so we probably will this time...
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Yes.. and the only time as bad as this was the age of the Robber Barons in the late 1800's early 1900's... and that was conquered by unionization and bloody fighting in the streets by workers fighting for the right to collectively bargain..... ie.. form unions. Now you see the time Republicans want to take us back to?

Robber-Barons-cartoon-3000-3x2gty.jpg
 
They have pretty well finished off the unions and now they are coming for public pension funds, and of course, privatize SS, Medicare, and Medicaid, and, oh, yes, the post office, too...
 
Ralphy1 said:
They have pretty well finished off the unions and now they are coming for public pension funds, and of course, privatize SS, Medicare, and Medicaid, and, oh, yes, the post office, too...
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The Post Office is the largest of all public unions.. is it any wonder they want it gone?
 
Not only does business and corporations want unions done away with.... the fact that Unions tend to support Democratic candidates is another reason Republicans are eager to do away with them.
 
unions a communist state by themselves

Not totally against unions which have their place and are needed often. BUT...

Having worked in a union environment unions are not the panacea everyone thinks. And many union members realize this.

First a union which is an organization that has it's own rules, regulations and bureaucracy. It also has it's own politics and "politicians" just like a corporate sponsored political party or non union company.

Second one must accept those union rules even if one is more qualified, experienced, productive, does higher quality work and/or stays out of trouble with the company and union. That means not only one must give way to seniority but to those who simply applied for promotions, training or benefits like vacation first. There are union members, brothers & sisters that spend more time politicking or playing administrative games than working on their actual craft/job. Unions will not eliminate butt kissing.

Third most unions and union companies control union members by controlling job assignments which include things/benefits like training, overtime, location etc. I know people given dog poop assignments or job locations over 100 miles away from their home. The company is still the boss when it comes to the actual work and job assignments.

Fourth, unions can fester a sense of entitlement not just to job security but to things like overtime. Oooops, I think that's broken, now overTIME will be needed to fix that. You think some of these corporate ceos are greedy you should see what some of these unions do with overtime rules & clauses. That same sense of entitlement festers corruption and greed again just like a corporate ceo.

Fifth in big unions the national goals or agenda frequently can take precedent over local issues. The national union was always worried about pay and job security to the exclusion of many of things I already mentioned. Lack of full and adequate training lead to bringing in of outsiders not only to catch up on any work but take other routine projects & responsibilities. The company was still able to downsize, outsource and/or eliminate jobs and employees/union members.

Unions can be a microcosm of what happens in a tightly controlled communist state.
 
QuickSilver said:
Joe McCarthy ring a bell?
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I certainly remember that idiot but can't remember him making those particular comments. He seemed to be better known for calling every one and his brother a communist and carrying on Communist Witch Hunts.
 

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