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OldBaldy1701E

(8,904 posts)

125. With respect, I must disagree.

Tue Jul 1, 2025, 08:23 AM

Jul 1

Capitalism enables people to choose what they want to do with their lives. Want to be a teacher? Be a teacher. Want to work less and not chase the brass ring, then don't. Capitalism allows for that decision.

My life is proof that this entire sentence is a lie and misleading. If one does not get out there and work their assess off to make someone else richer (unless one is already wealthy), then they cannot do anything. Capitalism has removed any ability to live other than working in and for the machine. You want to be an actor or something that is not focused on making as much money as you can before someone else does it? Good fucking luck. (One of may favorite situations in recent years is the fact that I was always harangued for being a starving actor because it is a struggle just to find work that pays you enough to survive. I always heard, "But when are you going to get a real job?" Then, we got the whole 'unpaid intern' crap from the corporations. So, I guess it is okay to work yourself to death for a corporation that won't pay you anything, but it is stupid to work as an actor that won't pay you enough. Got it.) You want to do anything other than feed their greed machine, you are on your own and if you cannot find a niche or some other way that allows your convictions as well as your ability to survive in this economy, then you are done.

There should not be homelessness. There should not be destitution. There should not be an absence of art or anything just because it is not 'profitable'. Yet, we keep on allowing it to happen to our own citizens, and we still expect them to toe the greed line of 'feed the machine' or be left out in the cold.

'Capitalism' is not responsible for everything you mention. Freedom of choice is, and that has nothing to do with capitalism. Our governmental model was not created for capitalism. But, it sure was subverted for it really quickly once we hit the industrial revolution. Also, the 'quality of life' you mention that you say owes itself to capitalism, well, I bet there are more than a few struggling families, as well as homeless and destitute, out there who would find that pretty funny.

More than a few.

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I'm a Democrat and not a socialist. n/t [View all] Jacson6 Jun 29 OP

Because Socialism can't be democratic or because socialism compels the same values Democrats generaly stand for? ... marble falls Jun 29 #1

As is often said..."keep it simple, stu_id." Just run as a Democrat, fight for policies that... brush Jun 29 #65

There's no difference. The Rs will label and have already labeled Democrats as KPN Jun 29 #80

President Truman said this in 1952 yellowdogintexas Jun 29 #83

Why make it easy for them by actually calling ourself a socialist? Not smart. brush Jun 30 #93

He didn't call himself a socialist. KPN Jun 30 #123

Amen. Let's stop worrying about what they will say Redleg Jun 30 #120

Me too. If I thought it could work, I'd go for all of us sharing wealth equally. LAS14 Jun 29 #68

Socialism is not about equaly sharing everything, it's about giving everyone a chance and taking care of ... marble falls Jun 29 #89

I know that. I'd go further. Like a religious order. nt LAS14 Jun 30 #114

If democratic socialism Emile Jun 29 #2

Exactly mvd Jun 29 #9

Hey, you! Heidi Jun 29 #30

Hey! mvd Jun 29 #50

Anytime there are government employees The Wizard Jun 29 #21

None of those things are socialist WSHazel Jun 29 #81

Capitalism is a failure angrychair Jun 30 #95

That is a strawman WSHazel Jun 30 #96

I would offer angrychair Jun 30 #97

That is not accurate WSHazel Jun 30 #111

With respect, I must disagree. OldBaldy1701E Jul 1 #125

Good thoughts WSHazel Jul 1 #126

"Art and culture were flourishing..." OldBaldy1701E Jul 1 #129

This is why I find The Nordic Countries so interesting... electric_blue68 Jun 30 #94

What's a socialist? n/t leftstreet Jun 29 #3

That's a very good question, isn't it? -misanthroptimist Jun 29 #5

Few if any people in the US are socialists. Lonestarblue Jun 29 #14

This just-barely-a-Boomer has moved on, too. Heidi Jun 29 #46

you are describing communism. n/t SonOfNebanaube Jun 29 #51

No. The mass nationalization of industries by the UK Atlee government speak easy Jun 29 #61

...free bus service ... ZDU Jun 29 #59

Bet I can turn you into a "socialist" in just one thread! -misanthroptimist Jun 29 #4

n/t Mike Nelson Jun 29 #6

I'm a Democratic Socialist, not a Democrat. Autumn Jun 29 #7

Im (gasp) both! SSJVegeta Jun 29 #11

Is this declaration partisan or ideological? SSJVegeta Jun 29 #8

Seems this declaration is mostly "Look at meeee!" Heidi Jun 29 #47

I just wanna win. In It to Win It Jun 29 #10

The "New Deal"and the "Better Deal" is Social Democracy. haele Jun 29 #12

Judging the reactions, FDR would get trashed here AStern Jun 29 #23

Criticism is good and frankly healthy. haele Jun 29 #38

Well you're wrong, emulatorloo Jun 29 #41

Then why the negativity toward Mamdani? AStern Jun 29 #73

Most gross negativity is from deranged MAGA, not Democrats or DU'ers. A lot of Democrats have congratulated him. emulatorloo Jun 29 #75

There are many here that are upset about it AStern Jun 29 #76

Thank you emulatorloo Jun 29 #82

I've seen more negativity here toward Mamdani... regnaD kciN Jun 29 #86

You must have a sprinkle of Socialism to keep Capitalism Emile Jun 29 #13

Yes, sounds a lot like FDR-type thinkin... smart!! InAbLuEsTaTe Jun 30 #101

That's nice, dear. Scrivener7 Jun 29 #15

Well, are you a vegetarian? David__77 Jun 29 #16

The longer I live the more I prefer Democratic Socialism. The corrupt Capitalistic walkingman Jun 29 #17

I remember back when MSNBC had numerous progressive anchors, gab13by13 Jun 29 #20

I don't give a fuck. demmiblue Jun 29 #18

labels are boring purple_haze Jun 29 #19

Well, I'm not a fucking Republican. hamsterjill Jun 29 #22

I believe in social democratic policies. Just never thought of making an OP stating that. N/t Nanjeanne Jun 29 #24

Me too, which is why I'm here Polybius Jun 29 #25

Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 29 #34

You're conflating a political party (our Democratic Party) w/ a multi-flavoured economic/political philosophy(socialism) Celerity Jul 1 #127

I take it, then, you are against: Oneironaut Jun 29 #26

As you know, those are all mainstream Democratic positions. emulatorloo Jun 29 #40

And socialist targets as well. (nt) Heidi Jun 29 #43

Mainstream, AND socialist! Oneironaut Jun 29 #58

What would make you make those assumptions? Are those things copyrighted by the Socialist Party? Wonder Why Jun 29 #54

Those things are not socialism. Ocelot II Jun 29 #60

I think that's a fair point, actually. Oneironaut Jun 29 #70

Those things are all socialism. Emile Jun 30 #98

Good for you. Iggo Jun 29 #27

What's a Democrat? AStern Jun 29 #28

I'm a Socialist & a Democrat TacosUberAlles Jun 29 #29

I woke up with this question in my head. 1WorldHope Jun 29 #31

Read the room, hon. Heidi Jun 29 #32

I'm both. ananda Jun 29 #33

That's a strange flex. Jirel Jun 29 #35

Hahahahahaha! Heidi Jun 29 #44

I'm a Democrat and a Socialist. I know Democrats who are vegetarians. And Socialists who are carpenters. Ping Tung Jun 29 #36

Every representative government has elements of socialism in it. patphil Jun 29 #37

I'm a socialist who votes D bif Jun 29 #39

Hear, HEAR ZDU Jun 29 #55

We don't just need a Bigger economy, we need a Better economy thought crime Jun 29 #42

Have to be to post here Arazi Jun 29 #45

Same here LetMyPeopleVote Jun 29 #48

By the People, For the People Troth_Aint_Truth Jun 29 #49

Gosh. H2O Man Jun 29 #52

As Am I OC375 Jun 29 #53

So, if you had to choose between a Republican and a Democratic socialist, what would you do? 1WorldHope Jun 29 #57

"Democratic Socialist" is not a ballot-line party, so it's impossible to vote for a Democratic Socialist candidate. WhiskeyGrinder Jun 29 #85

Would you prefer a medal, or simply applause? niyad Jun 29 #56

We're all semi-socialist, every time we walk on a sidewalk or drive on a public road. Dan Jun 29 #62

I'm a social democrat and a Democratic Party member (and literally a Social Democratic Party member here in Sweden, plus Celerity Jun 29 #63

What's a Social Democrat??? SocialDemocrat61 Jun 30 #100

Social democracy, especially the Nordic Model like we have here in Sweden. Celerity Jun 30 #105

But do they throw good parties? SocialDemocrat61 Jun 30 #106

This is going to be one of the questions fujiyamasan Jun 29 #64

I'm a fellow traveler with the Democratic Party mike_c Jun 29 #66

As I recall, MLK Jr. was called a socialist too... B.See Jun 29 #67

MLK Jr was very much in the mode of Mamdani - democratic socialist. As far back as his Nanjeanne Jun 29 #74

I know this. The point I'm making is B.See Jun 29 #92

European Democratic Socialists are not Marxists... AntiFascist Jun 29 #69

If you like having a fire department, snot Jun 29 #71

Congrats? choie Jun 29 #72

I'm a.member to a rural electric co-op. Yes it's socialism. Emile Jun 29 #77

I'm a Democrat and a Socialist. BlueTsunami2018 Jun 29 #78

Ditto jcmaine72 Jun 29 #91

You are a lot more socialist than you realize. bob4460 Jun 29 #79

What Life Means to Me Cirsium Jun 29 #84

Refuse to accept Social Security! H2O Man Jun 29 #87

We really about to do it vanessa_ca Jun 29 #88

I'm a Democrat AZProgressive Jun 29 #90

I vote for the Democratic nominees Torchlight Jun 30 #99

Let's see if that applies to everyone else by their voting for Mamdani for mayor as the duly elected Democratic nominee. InAbLuEsTaTe Jun 30 #102

I figure there may be a few stirring the pot, but for the most part, Torchlight Jun 30 #103

Thank you for this self-congratulatory thread. Heidi Jun 30 #104

You're against Social Security? baddie Jun 30 #107

It is not socialism. SS & Medicare are insurance programs that workers and employers pay into. Jacson6 Jun 30 #108

Sorry! baddie Jun 30 #110

We here in the Nordics (I live in Sweden) are NOT democratic socialist nation states. Celerity Jul 2 #133

You seem to think that your dictionary... Chemical Bill Jul 1 #124

Merriam Webster Dictionary: Socialism Jacson6 Jul 1 #128

This message was self-deleted by its author Chemical Bill Jul 1 #131

I apologize. Chemical Bill Jul 2 #134

Social Security is socialism. Thanks for pointing Emile Jun 30 #109

I paid into those programs for my entire working life mcar Jun 30 #119

This message was self-deleted by its author Emile Jun 30 #121

That's how democratic socialism works. Emile Jun 30 #122

I'm a Democrat and a Socialist, and proud of being both obamanut2012 Jun 30 #112

I care more about policies than I do about labels n/t markpkessinger Jun 30 #113

Get over the scare word. If you say you are a democrat you will be called a socialist. Blue Full Moon Jun 30 #115

I am a Democrat and a Socialist nt JanMichael Jun 30 #116

"I'm a Democrat and not a socialist." LudwigPastorius Jun 30 #117

hmmm markie Jun 30 #118

Bless you, DU. The tools you offer me to enhance my experience are appreciated. (nt) Duncan Grant Jul 1 #130

I took a test that said GoodRaisin Jul 1 #132