Political discussion thread

birdwithteeth11 wrote: Another solution that I've thought about is eliminating professional politicians and setting term limits for all political offices.

Amen.  But now I get to reverse a saying that you've pointed at other people:  DREAM ON.()

Syzygy wrote: birdwithteeth11 wrote: I'm not saying by any means I want his policies to fail though. It would be great of they worked. I just don't expect them to work, because I don't believe that socialism works. Sorry for that confusion.   Speaking as a socialist, I approve (broadly speaking) of Obama's policies in relation to what has gone before, and I hope that he is able to exert a positive influence both within the USA and in his role as de facto leader of the free world.   I don't, however, see him as a proponent of anything that I recognise as socialism, merely as a leader who leans very slightly to the left on a handful of policies. Mind you, some people saw Tony Blair as a socialist, despite his government rubber stamping policies that Mrs Thatcher rejected as too right wing for the British public.

The main reason I don't like socialism is because I don't think the government should be allowed to decide who gets what goods, how many to make, etc etc. Instead, I think that the individual person is the one who should have to work hard to get what they want in life rather than rely on the government for certain things. I'm referring to socialism in it's purest form, but you get what I mean.

Although most modern societies have a mix of capitalist and socialist practices. If you can find a modern society that's pure capitalism or pure socialism, then I have a bridge to sell you.

jimmy_row wrote: Syzygy wrote: birdwithteeth11 wrote: I'm not saying by any means I want his policies to fail though. It would be great of they worked. I just don't expect them to work, because I don't believe that socialism works. Sorry for that confusion.   Speaking as a socialist, I approve (broadly speaking) of Obama's policies in relation to what has gone before, and I hope that he is able to exert a positive influence both within the USA and in his role as de facto leader of the free world.   I don't, however, see him as a proponent of anything that I recognise as socialism, merely as a leader who leans very slightly to the left on a handful of policies. Mind you, some people saw Tony Blair as a socialist, despite his government rubber stamping policies that Mrs Thatcher rejected as too right wing for the British public.     People in the US generally don't know what socialism IS.  It's more of an emotional reaction than a criticism of Obama and the dems.  An actual real-live socialist would never get voted into office here.

Change that to a pure socialist wouldn't get elected anywhere and I agree. Although a pure capitalist wouldn't get elected anywhere either.

jimmy_row wrote: True.  But I don't think a moderate or even slight socialist (of it's possible to measure it, haha), could make it here in the US

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Sanders


Edited by NaturalScience - January 24 2009 at 12:42

I can't believe anyone would actually want policies to fail... 

limeyrob wrote: Socialism - isn't that where people want everything from those who have it, but don't want to work for it.

No.

limeyrob wrote: Perhaps its a system of government that encourages a lack of moral fibre and supports an individual's right to have little sense of personal responsibility.

Again, no.

Oh I'm not offended, Rob, it's completely fine.

Oh and that is most definitely annoying.  I don't believe any government or president/prime minister/monarch could solve the problem cheeky tykes like that.


Edited by James - January 24 2009 at 14:37

limeyrob wrote: Oh I dunno. When I was a young 'un if the guard asked to take your feet off then you did and suffered a bit of humiliation from the other passengers as well. Not any more. A couple of weeks ago I was on the train and there was this individual with her feet up as she faced a poster encouraging folk not to put their feet on the seats. It makes me so cross . I suppose the PC brigade will get techy if there was an on the spot fine of £10,000 for such behaviour.

limeyrob wrote: Thatcher may have started it, as you say, I don't know. But I don't see any recovery in sight. If anything, it is still going downhill. Viewed from a train window we live in a gungy, cruddy mess and no one has the political will to address it. Though judging by the quantity any empty landfill remaining will soon be filled. Perhaps its better to leave the mess lying around.