Sarah Palin, Republican Vice Presidential Candidate

[archibaldcrane]

Swampy/Remyo - how do you feel about the rich benefiting from the economy's expansion under the current system while the working classes have not? Just tough shit for the working classes?

[SwampdonkeyPLD]

Swampy/Remyo - how do you feel about the rich benefiting from the economy's expansion under the current system while the working classes have not? Just tough shit for the working classes?

You didn't post anything that says the rich have gotten richer, and even if they are, they are paying a larger share than ever. What more can you ask for? And of course it's not "tough shit" for the working classes, there's plenty of solutions, but the Republicans can do is scream "socialism" instead of actually putting forth solutions.

And has, in any time in history, there been a larger economic boom than what the U.S. has experience in the past 25 years?

[Creeps]

I think people are missing the point of the socialist argument; it's not an issue of finances or economics, it's an issue of ethics. The argument goes that it is the social responsibility of the wealthy to assist the less fortunate, and if you can't see or understand that, it can safely be said that you lack a heart. I'm not saying that a Communist society of complete equality regardless of effort or motivation is a solution, because I don't believe that, but as a society, Americans are especially negligent of the poor, the sick and the elderly.

My idea of socialism is that if executed properly, everyone prospers. Some may prosper more than others but that's okay, as long as a minimal amount of the population is suffering. I think this is the fundamental idea that the majority misses about socialism. Socialism is commonly associated with a tyrannical regime and it's simply not the case.

The problem with American society is that everyone is just so selfish. The measure of a successful society should be how well the populace and the government takes care of its people, not promotion of the wealthy minority. The main things I'm looking for in this election are improvements to the educational system and higher pay for teachers, which ties into the government's care of the population. Education should, in a perfect world, be a public service rather than an industry. It seems that a large majority of the legislation passed in this country is extremely counter productive to social progress and there's an obvious dichotomy to be found in the supposed "land of opportunity" America was advertised to be and what is actual.

The following quote by Alexis de Tocqueville is relevant to my ramblings: "The surface of American society is covered with a layer of democratic paint, but from time to time, one can see the old aristocratic colors breaking through." This was written in 1835, when he published Democracy In America, when the French government sent him to the US to observe a democratic government. He was a staunch conservative and strongly opposed democracy for much of his life, yet even he could see the social attitudes of Americans then, and sadly, the same attitudes exist even today.

[Kuya]

Socialism is not the same thing as social democratic.

[0ni0n]

It's funny how 90% of people who chronically complain about socialism are probably the beneficiary of social programs and aren't getting anything under the capitalistic system, while the riches are embracing socialism and getting bailouts left, right and center. Are you guys that naive? Your black&white perspective about the world is laughable at best.

[Tristam]

You didn't post anything that says the rich have gotten richer, and even if they are, they are paying a larger share than ever. What more can you ask for? And of course it's not "tough shit" for the working classes, there's plenty of solutions, but the Republicans can do is scream "socialism" instead of actually putting forth solutions.

And has, in any time in history, there been a larger economic boom than what the U.S. has experience in the past 25 years?

Europe had a longer postwar boom than our 1990's boom.

[0ni0n]

I think people are missing the point of the socialist argument; it's not an issue of finances or economics, it's an issue of ethics. The argument goes that it is the social responsibility of the wealthy to assist the less fortunate, and if you can't see or understand that, it can safely be said that you lack a heart. I'm not saying that a Communist society of complete equality regardless of effort or motivation is a solution, because I don't believe that, but as a society, Americans are especially negligent of the poor, the sick and the elderly.

My idea of socialism is that if executed properly, everyone prospers. Some may prosper more than others but that's okay, as long as a minimal amount of the population is suffering. I think this is the fundamental idea that the majority misses about socialism. Socialism is commonly associated with a tyrannical regime and it's simply not the case.

The problem with American society is that everyone is just so selfish. The measure of a successful society should be how well the populace and the government takes care of its people, not promotion of the wealthy minority. The main things I'm looking for in this election are improvements to the educational system and higher pay for teachers, which ties into the government's care of the population. Education should, in a perfect world, be a public service rather than an industry. It seems that a large majority of the legislation passed in this country is extremely counter productive to social progress and there's an obvious dichotomy to be found in the supposed "land of opportunity" America was advertised to be and what is actual.

The following quote by Alexis de Tocqueville is relevant to my ramblings: "The surface of American society is covered with a layer of democratic paint, but from time to time, one can see the old aristocratic colors breaking through." This was written in 1835, when he published Democracy In America, when the French government sent him to the US to observe a democratic government. He was a staunch conservative and strongly opposed democracy for much of his life, yet even he could see the social attitudes of Americans then, and sadly, the same attitudes exist even today.

That and Americans are victims of political polarization. "Capitalism is good and socialism is bad." Don't kid yourself, an adulterated form of capitalism is infeasible if not impossible. Like it or not, socialistic features are gonna be imposed in a viable society. Otherwise, you will be seeing people dying on the streets and riots day in and day out.

[Creeps]

The truth is that democracy doesn't exist. There are applications of democratic principles, but for a true democracy to exist, everyone must have an equal voice, which anyone with half a brain can accept will never happen.

[Senoska]

Play Monopoly. Wait until some of the kids start to amass a nice pile of money. As they collect rent, take 36% and distribute it to the kids that aren’t doing as well.

Nobody would lose and everyone would prosper? Wow, go figure.

[Creeps]

Also, this applies: "Many people consider the thing which government does for them as social progress, but they consider the things government does for others as socialism." -Earl Warren

When all of you people vote against social improvement legislation and then end up in a situation where you need assistance, I'm going to laugh in your faces and then give my money to people who aren't selfish pricks.

[0ni0n]

"If at 18 you vote Republican you have no heart, if at 40 you vote Democrat you have no brain."

Too bad the republican party isn't what it used to be. The de facto principle of small government and fiscally conservative has been lost.

[Plow]

Archi hit the nail on the head, Obama's plan is much better described as "spread the growth around," which is exactly what Americans need.

[Palin]

Socialism is not the same thing as social democratic.

This. I hate the American idea that social democratic principles = Soviet era socialism. It shows how strong the brainwashing of the symbolism of certain words is in our society.

[Creeps]

This. I hate the American idea that social democratic principles = Soviet era socialism. It shows how strong the brainwashing of the symbolism of certain words is in our society.

To be fair, the Soviets had the ideology right, but just lacked in the application.

[0ni0n]

Play Monopoly. Wait until some of the kids start to amass a nice pile of money. As they collect rent, take 36% and distribute it to the kids that aren’t doing as well.

What's wrong with giving back to the system which allows you to succeed in the first place?

[Kuya]

I've always considered that the real core of American conservatism lies in non interventionism, stewardship of nature, and constitutionalism; any other form of American conservatism at the moment is nothing more than a distraction from more pressing issues.

[Remyo]

Swampy/Remyo - how do you feel about the rich benefiting from the economy's expansion under the current system while the working classes have not? Just tough shit for the working classes?

tough shit you got dealt a bad hand, work hard make it better, or live with it. don't expect handouts.

[Day]

stop trolling

[Headspace]

Play Monopoly. Wait until some of the kids start to amass a nice pile of money. As they collect rent, take 36% and distribute it to the kids that aren’t doing as well.

So when do I get my free 200 dollars from the bank/gov't every time I pass Go? (every month, every year etc.)

[Creeps]

tough shit you got dealt a bad hand, work hard make it better, or live with it. don't expect handouts.

Completely contradictory to American principles. The country was founded to be a land of opportunity, not just another place to go and be poor. Your redneck attitude is a perfect example of what's currently wrong with our country; the lack of social responsibility is our fundamental problem.

I have a hard time understanding the attitude. Under our current system, the rich prosper, the middle class doesn't benefit and the working class suffers. In the past, if this shit kept on the way it is now, someone would have a violent revolution on their hands.