Socialism-Getting more popular in the US?

[ray245]

Despite the fact that Republicans likes to call or view socialism to be the same as communism, and basically treat it like a oppressive dictatorship, I got this feeling that more and more people are becoming acceptable to socialism as a whole, in the US.

From things like universal health care for instance to the public outcry against the concept of free market in general due to the global recession, it would seems to me that more people in the US especially are willingly to support socialism.

As a person whose only real interaction with Americans is through forums, it would be interesting to get more first-hand accounts of your friends and co-workers becoming more amiable to things like nationalization of failing industry and UHC.

[Alyeska]

Economic crashes tend to do that. It happened after 1929. People are learning that businesses do not always have the best interest of the country or the people, and they want oversight. The only group that can provide effective oversight is the government itself. People are going to demand more government control over businesses as a result of what has happened.

[Broomstick]

Despite the fact that Republicans likes to call or view socialism to be the same as communism, and basically treat it like a oppressive dictatorship, I got this feeling that more and more people are becoming acceptable to socialism as a whole, in the US.

In a sense, but most of them would rather swallow their tongue than admit it - the problem being the word "socialism".

From things like universal health care for instance to the public outcry against the concept of free market in general due to the global recession, it would seems to me that more people in the US especially are willingly to support socialism.

Oh, the US still loves the free market -- it's just that people are suddenly realizing why regulations are needed.

nationalization of failing industry and UHC.

There is still a LOT of opposition to nationalizing any industry, no matter how bad off it is. A lot of people would rather see a US industry entirely disappear than to see it nationalized. It's hard for me to convey how loathesome many Americans find the idea. I mean, I know people who refuse to use the US Postal System if at all possible simply because of its ties to the Federal government even though alternatives cost more.

UHC is a little different though - there's not much alternative to "medicine" when you're sick. Even there, there is still tremendous pushback, even panic at the notion of having UHC even on a state level much less a Federal.

The current economic morass is moderating those stances, and as I said people are remembering the need for regulation, but don't expect it to last if times get good again.

[Starglider]

UHC is a little different though - there's not much alternative to "medicine" when you're sick. Even there, there is still tremendous pushback, even panic at the notion of having UHC even on a state level much less a Federal.

I'm pretty sure the US won't ban private healthcare, so that will still be an option for people who really desperately want to pay for it, as it is in the UK. Of course in the UK you can't opt out of paying for the NHS through your taxes, so coverage from Bupa etc is genuinely a luxury. Sadly, I've seen many US neocons claim that basic, primary healthcare is (and should remain) a luxury.

[Coyote]

Not socialism entirely, but certain parts of socialism will be acceptable and gain popularity. Universal health care will be one, because not only are so many Americans currently without health insurance, but the current model is to let businesses provide health coverage, which makes business more expensive. I've heard tales such as "American cars cost up to $1,500.00 more than they should because the car companies have to provide health insurance". I don't know where the number came from, but it stands to reason that American cars are competing in a market against Japan and certain European manufacturers... whose governments take the health care burden off of car makers.

As Broomie pointed out, though, the biggest obstacle is the word "socialism". Americans have been trained since birth to think of "Socialism" in context with "Soviet Socialism" or "National/Nazi Socialism" and equate it with government abuses and oppressive living conditions. At best, socialism is viewed in the French meaning, where the popular notion is that businesses are afraid to hire someone because once you hire them, you're responsible for them for life, they can't be fired, and people typically barely work at all because the government mollycoddles the lazy.

You can get government welfare and assistance programs in America, but politicians have learned to try to avoid applying the word "social" or "socialist". Note how health care debates are talking about "universal", rather than "social", health care.

[Darth Wong]

There is still a LOT of opposition to nationalizing any industry, no matter how bad off it is. A lot of people would rather see a US industry entirely disappear than to see it nationalized. It's hard for me to convey how loathesome many Americans find the idea. I mean, I know people who refuse to use the US Postal System if at all possible simply because of its ties to the Federal government even though alternatives cost more.

How common is that kind of thinking? They sound like fanatics.

[Illuminatus Primus]

There is still a LOT of opposition to nationalizing any industry, no matter how bad off it is. A lot of people would rather see a US industry entirely disappear than to see it nationalized. It's hard for me to convey how loathesome many Americans find the idea. I mean, I know people who refuse to use the US Postal System if at all possible simply because of its ties to the Federal government even though alternatives cost more.

How common is that kind of thinking? They sound like fanatics.

Here in the Nazi Demographic of the American South? Very common. My boss honestly fantasizes he'd be better off if the government let markets eat American manufacturing and the financial system alive. Unfortunately, he also regals me with his uneducated ranting, rather than keeping it to himself (he was a C-average business major at a no-name Alabama college).

[Qwerty 42]

There is still a LOT of opposition to nationalizing any industry, no matter how bad off it is. A lot of people would rather see a US industry entirely disappear than to see it nationalized. It's hard for me to convey how loathesome many Americans find the idea. I mean, I know people who refuse to use the US Postal System if at all possible simply because of its ties to the Federal government even though alternatives cost more.

How common is that kind of thinking? They sound like fanatics.

As an American, this is the first I've heard of it, but I'm also in the Mid-Atlantic rather than the South.

[Broomstick]

There is still a LOT of opposition to nationalizing any industry, no matter how bad off it is. A lot of people would rather see a US industry entirely disappear than to see it nationalized. It's hard for me to convey how loathesome many Americans find the idea. I mean, I know people who refuse to use the US Postal System if at all possible simply because of its ties to the Federal government even though alternatives cost more.

How common is that kind of thinking? They sound like fanatics.

Well, it's not every day but I do encounter them in both real life and on line. If I come across some examples on line in the next few days I'll throw in a link.

[General Zod]

Ever browse through the comments sections on CNN articles or blogs? The scaremongering isn't quite as bad as on say, Fox Noise, but it's painfully obvious whenever an article about bailouts come up how terrified a lot of people are about nationalization, even if most of what they're afraid of is nonsense.

[JLTucker]

Ever browse through the comments sections on CNN articles or blogs? The scaremongering isn't quite as bad as on say, Fox Noise, but it's painfully obvious whenever an article about bailouts come up how terrified a lot of people are about nationalization, even if most of what they're afraid of is nonsense.

I have a friend who thinks the US government is heading towards the government portrayed in the comic V for Vendetta. Granted he's only read maybe the first few chapters but I told him to tell me that again with a straight face when he progresses further into the comic. "Obama's government is too powerful."

[FSTargetDrone]

There is still a LOT of opposition to nationalizing any industry, no matter how bad off it is. A lot of people would rather see a US industry entirely disappear than to see it nationalized. It's hard for me to convey how loathesome many Americans find the idea. I mean, I know people who refuse to use the US Postal System if at all possible simply because of its ties to the Federal government even though alternatives cost more.

How common is that kind of thinking? They sound like fanatics.

Well, it's not every day but I do encounter them in both real life and on line. If I come across some examples on line in the next few days I'll throw in a link.

Heh, you must know some real crackpots. Perhaps these people would be so good as to close down all of their local post offices and help the government save some money, trim down the bloated Postal Service and let the rest of us go ahead and use it.

I've never heard anyone rail against the Postal System other than to complain about the increase in stamp prices. Of course, I live in Pennsylvania (the good part, not the son of the soil Pennsyltucky part).

[Master of Ossus]

There is still a LOT of opposition to nationalizing any industry, no matter how bad off it is. A lot of people would rather see a US industry entirely disappear than to see it nationalized. It's hard for me to convey how loathesome many Americans find the idea. I mean, I know people who refuse to use the US Postal System if at all possible simply because of its ties to the Federal government even though alternatives cost more.

How common is that kind of thinking? They sound like fanatics.

I've occasionally heard people say that the Post Office shouldn't be given government-sponsored advantages, anymore, since UPS and FedEx and DHL and some smaller companies compete with them to provide largely similar services, but it's not very common (I think one person said it off-hand and another person discussed it with someone else who was opposed) and I don't usually attribute it to fanaticism.

[LMSx]

I thought UPS, FedEx, and DHL usually wouldn't serve bumfuck nowhere, America while the USPS would run unprofitable service there. It sort of reminds me of the idea that Amtrak needs to run a profit.