Is liberalism starting to sound more like socialism to anyone else? Or am I the only one?

Question

Some people want the government to take over health care, liberals want higher taxes on everyone, and over-regulation of business."Political correctness" determines what is correct for us to say, anti-Christian hostility is increasing on the left, isn't it starting to sound like we are on the road to becoming a communist country?

Answer 1

Liberalism USED to be something different. It IS code now for socialism.

When the government controls everything that IS socialism.

It's sad to think that a good president like JFK couldn't be his party's nominee if he were alive today--he was for cutting taxes. He said to people to stand on their own two feet. "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." He established a push for REAL education--science and math--throughout the US. He'd NEVER be permitted to be a Democratic candidate these days.

Answer 2

It’s you and some other confused people who don’t really know what socialism is. I am a liberal, a Christian and a capitalist. I think that universal health care, with options for coverage similar to Medicare, is a good idea. "Hillarycare" seems to favor the health insurance companies and needs some refinement.



It doesn’t sound any more “socialist” to me than the current system of taxpayer-supported government services that we pay for, such as police, fire, water and sewer, roads, etc. Communism would theoretically eliminate the capitalist base but as we see in communist China, the definitions can be somewhat stretched.

Answer 3

You bring up a good point but that is only part of it. This nation is still 80% religious and a few nuts are trying to get it out of the public square with help from the Supreme Court. Our country was built on the solid foundation of morality and religion. Just look at the Monuments and many national buildings in DC. There are many references to God. The founding fathers knew that a nation without morality and laws would not succeed- it is still true. Communism will not happen-we will be destroyed from within if this trend continues. Consider the problems of illegal immigration, trade issues, the secular progressive movement which thinks that each person makes his own rules, and most importantly too many people who are apathetic of totally unaware what is happening around them -they are so self centered.

Answer 4

Wow! What time warp did you come through? I haven't seen this kind of nonsense since the 1950s. No one is advocating that government take over medical care, just medical care insurance. That should make conservatives happy, because that is the most efficient way to handle insurance. Only creepy neocon nutcases will try to make that sound "liberal." And the only hostility in the religious world these days is from the so-called "religious right," which insists that everyone must be a Bible-thumping Christian or else - and that means doing things their way - or else. It's not very Christian, but that never seems to bother the religious right. Love and forgiveness have little to do in their world view.

Answer 5

Communistic country, no. Socialistic, yes. Several groups believe that the Federal Government should have over-site on many levels from corporation to social norms.

Answer 6

Seems to me that the problem isn't the objective reality at all, but with your own skewed perception. Although one good extremist deserves another, I'll reword your question from a MODERATE left perspective rather than that of an EXTREME lefty like Noam Chomsky.



Are conservatives starting to sound more like fascist 'big lie' mongers to anyone else?



They want greedy corporatists in charge of health care so as to pick the pockets of our working families. They want ordinary working families to carry the majority of the tax burden while funnelling our tax dollars to wealthy corporatists. They constantly imply that Liberals and Progressives are throwing people into prison for failing to meet some non-existant standard for 'politically correct' speech in everyday personal communication, in which case no one would be left to participate in Y!A. Everytime we object to special priviliges for the Christian sect and insist on a single standard, they characterize it as a "war" on their sect. Doesn't it sound like they want America to be a Fascist Theocratic nation?

Answer 7

Socialism and Communism are two very different things.



The Soviet Union and Cuba were communist states, where the government controlled every aspect of a citizen's life.



The Scandinavian countries are Socialist states, where the needs of every citizen is met but the taxes are high. There is also almost no violent crime and everyone is education. I don't see how that is such a bad thing.

Answer 8

It's you. The devil is always in the details, and your view glosses over those in preference for some uninformed fantasy.



For example, our Government spends 14.8% (and climbing) of its tax revenue on health care. That's more than any other OECD nation as a percent and total dollar value figure, but it only covers 44.6% of health care costs. It's the most expensive system just from a tax payer point of view, and still 55.4% of the cost is shouldered by private citizens and entities. With all of that, you'd think we would have the best system on the planet, but we don't, and over 40 million people don't really have any access to health care (short of losing everything they own in the process if they require serious treatment). We have the worst record on preventive care on the OECD countries.



So... your tax money (and more of it) already goes to support this system, but you don't get as much for it.



A better question would be... with all of the tax monies we already spend (and I haven't figured in the 8 trillion in unfunded liabilities of Bush's prescription drug benefit), why aren't you already getting decent free health care?

Answer 9

Is conservatism starting to sound more like fascism to anyone else? Some people want us to have no rights to speak freely or to not be forced to worship as we don't want or to have any protection against evil people who would without control simply do anything to us they could get away with just to make a buck. Sounds to me like we are on the way to becoming a fascist country.



This is not what I actually believe. It's an illustration of how generalizations can be used to support what you want them to. And socialism and communism are two entirely different things. Socialism is the result of the flaws of communism being carried to their natural end.

Answer 10

Its not "just you", but it is people who don't know a d*mn thing about socialism that insist that the Democratic party is anything resembling socialist.



A real socialist would laugh at the idea that there's any serious socialist movement in the United States. Read something by Noam Chomsky or Howard Zinn, or listen to Pacifica Radio, and see what actual American socialists believe.

Answer 11

The left in this country has always been socialist. It's the result of never actually maturing into adulthood. We humans are somewhat hard-wired to look up to parental figures. In that the left mistakes the government as their parents and believes that those who seek political power both have our best interest at heart and possess the knowledge to improve our lives.



If the Depression and the Vietnam War haven't cured them of that illusion, likely nothing ever will. There is nothing more sad or pathetic than listening to some octogenarian socialist prattle on in their Marxist doublespeak.

Answer 12

It doesn't sound like socialism, it is socialism. Liberals believe a country is great because of its government. Smart people believe their country is great because of its citizens. Why are socialists/liberals not smart people? Because throughout history, every time their philosophy has been tried, it has failed. They have longevity only when under the rule of a dictatorship, because once the sounds good theory is actually put into practice, people want no part of it.

Answer 13

We are rapidly approaching that scenario. Socialism is becoming the silent thief among every American. Our "leaders" in Congress are pushing agendas that bring us closer to socialism all of the time. I am deeply troubled by both the Democrat presidential candidates' proposals for health care, taxes, illegal immigration and free speech (fairness doctrine). I pray for the soul of this nation.

Answer 14

Starting to? Its been socialist for a long time now. Why do you think no one is running for the Presidency in the socialist, green and labour parties.

Answer 15

To a certain degree the far left are definately socialists, but they do not represnt the majority of good liberals. Just like the far right nut jobs dont represent the majority of good conservatives

Answer 16

Only to those who have blurred the definitions, or don't actually know the definitions, or wrongly accuse of all dems of being liberals, & therefore all communists. I just really wish someone would get out their dictionarys before they start throwing labels around!

Answer 17

No one has suggested the governement take over health care....the plans are for the government to offer health insurance to all, administered by private companies, to make payments to private doctors and hospitals....how can you be against something, when you dont know what it is?

Answer 18

with the neocon trotskists in power squandering the taxpayers money to spread their "revolution",you'd better look for commies on the right side.

Answer 19

You and a bunch of folks who don't understand politics and are led around by folks like Rush and the FOX crowd. You really don't believe any of the stuff you wrote do you? "...the road to becoming a communist country..." That's tin hat nonsense and you seem to have fallen for it.

Answer 20

Modern Liberalism has looked socialist to me for years. Note to Democrats: You're the ones who gave your party to leftist liberals.

Answer 21

Yes, you are the only one.

Answer 22

It's better than Fascism. Which is what we have now.

Answer 23

Starting?!? It has been that way since FDR.

Answer 24

And you wonder why people call you guys fear mongers?



95% of liberals would think you are on crack if you "told us" that is what we stood for. And I dare say we might know what "we" stand for better than you.

Answer 25

Yes it is with Hillarycare (forced health care) higher taxes to increase welfare and other social programs. It will be the demise of America

Answer 26

Good synopsis...I see no errors in your observations/conclusions...

Answer 27

National socailism is the term.

Answer 28

You think you're the first one to come up with this? No, sorry, the Republicans have been trying to scare the country with this for YEARS. Apparently, it worked on you... Thanks.

Answer 29

the far left leans towards soft socialism while the far right leans towards soft fascism

Answer 30

yup ... that's what I have been saying for years... or at least the last few years any way.

Answer 31

sounds like socialism to me