Why Isn't Socialism Dead

TCS Daily ^ | 5 May 2006 | Lee Harris

[livius]

Over any appreciable period of time, socialism shares not wealth, but poverty.

Very true. Except for the guys in charge, of course. They seem to live off the fat of the land. No barefoot doctors for Fidel - he goes to Europe for his medical care. Secretly, all our leftists think they are going to install socialism - and they're going to be the ones in charge, so life will be gravy for them.

[last american]

"Misers get up early in the morning; and burglars, I am informed, get up the night before."

~ G.K. Chesterton

[ran15]

Thats what I believe.. democracy leads always to socialism. I think our battle to stop the spread of socialism in America is worth it, and we will delay things.. allowing for invention and the betterment of lives in the meantime.. But ultimately we will go down to socialism if we stay democratic.

[bannie]

...because lazy people can vote.

[ladyinred]

Socialism isn't dead because they are called Democrats these days!
Actually, the article is very interesting.

[bannie]

Hey, this thread was tailored for my tag-line!

:-D

[JasonC]

Sorel was a 2-bit popularizer of Nietzsche for the hard left. The whole rule of myth line is Nietzchean relativism, start to finish. Which is proto-fascism, basically.

When you have truth and real morality, myth is mostly superfluous. It might embellish, add a touch of literature, put a lesson or two in plainer terms. But there is nothing of substance in egalitarian ideology's appeal, that isn't borrowed from the real version: the golden rule.

As for why it is promoted, that is even easier and has nothing to do with socialism as an economic system. It is simply the perennial nature of tyranny, as already fully known to the classics or to Machiavelli. "Populism" is a modern fancier word trying to dress it up. Tyranny is its actual, historical name.

[Centurion2000]

Another Atlas Shrugged moment in the making.

Ayn Rand World Tour

Former Tour Dates
USSR
Eastern Europe

Current Touring
Zimbabwe
South Africa
Cuba

Future Tour Dates
Venezuela
Boliva
USA (if we don't do something soon)

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Secretly, all our leftists think they are going to install socialism - and they're going to be the ones in charge, so life will be gravy for them

. . . just like they think they are going to win the lottery, I suppose . . . which, as improbable is it is, makes a lot more sense than that they will be made king. But it's certain that leftists identify with tyrants, provided that their king siezed power without inheriting it.

[listenhillary]

Why Isn't Socialism Dead?

The host(capitalism) is still thriving and hasn't been sucked dry by the parasites. (Yet)

[freeforall]

bttt

[Tolik]

Very Interesting!

This ping list is not author-specific for articles I'd like to share. Some for the perfect moral clarity, some for provocative thoughts; or simply interesting articles I'd hate to miss myself. (I don't have to agree with the author all 100% to feel the need to share an article.) I will try not to abuse the ping list and not to annoy you too much, but on some days there is more of the good stuff that is worthy of attention. You can see the list of articles I pinged to lately  on  my page.
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[Jim Verdolini]

"Everyone -- even many Conservatives -- wants to drag down the people at the top. Bill Gates, Donald Trump, Ken Lay, Martha Stewart -- they don't have too many friends. Achieving the dream of success under capitalism really puts a target on your back. Building a glorious myth out of that is hard."

I have to disagree. Ask almost any sentient person anywhere on the planet if he would rather be super rich and successful or a glorious worker for the revolution and the revolution loses every time. The problem with capitalism is that we have encumbered it with many of the trappings of socialsim, regulation, the nanny government, and public scrutiny making it very hard for the average guy to aspire to such success. That was the success of the days of the robber barons. Most people really believed that reaching such success was possible, if not for them then for their children. There was a myth. Modern American and European socialism killed it for most folk.

[OldArmy52]

Or rather, socialism can't be killed because socialism appears to to our baser instincts and capitalism to our higher.

Also, as was pointed out, our tax system is such as the masses of lower income folks pay no taxes so have no hesitation to vote in high tax, socialistic spending programs.

Seems so many super rich folks are Dems or otherwise favor socialism. Why? A study of history shows that, as in the Russian revolution, the wealthy supporters were soon no longer wealthy, or even allowed to live.

[hosepipe]

BECAUSE....
Socialism is caused by democracy.. Socialism is just a symptom.. As America is becoming more of a democracy than it is a republic socialism is getting stronger too, here.. because socialism is caused by democracy.. not the other way around.. And because democracy is Mob Rule.. the Mob always votes itself benefits with its obscure "protection scams/scheme".. like any Mob does..

Thats why?.. And until America "spits on the ground" everytime they hear the word democracy, it WILL get worse.. You do know Social Security IS socialism don't you.. its not like socialism, it IS socialism.. Socialism has ALWAYS been Slavery by Givernment, and it still IS.. The slaves get used to being slaves.. You know, like in Europe.. Monarchy is also Mob Rule.. you see.. as are Dictatorships.. The Dictatorship of the Proletariat has many names but is the same political system system, MOB RULE..

[steve8714]

I eat the rice...

[riri]

bump

[steve8714]

Marxist socialism takes root easiest in subsistence economies. Look at Russia and China, for example.

[ThePythonicCow]

actual physical equality is impossible to enforce

The closest one can come to enforcing it is not by enriching everyone, but impoverishing and imprisoning everyong. In the gulag or concentration camp, we are all pretty much equal.

I agree with your statement: "that people are unwilling to believe that life and humans not perfectable." See my signature.

[Ragtop]

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