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Capitalism vs. Socialism

by Kwapi V | March 29, 2010 at 01:03 pm

842 views | 16 Recommendations | 9 comments

First and foremost allow me to state the fact that I believe in a hybrid of the two; not necessarily an equal balance but an equitable and functional symbiotic relationship. However, with that stated, I would like to go on somewhat of a mild rant.

You see, after watching the rise of the Tea Party movement and other fringes of the Right wing such as Glen Beck, Sarah Palin, and Michelle Bachmann; after engaging in often mildly stimulating debates, I've come to the conclusion that some, not all, not most, but some people who are self-proclaimed Capitalists are incapable of even defining the difference between Socialism and Communism. Moreover, I've realized that some of these individuals are under the misconception that America is an entirely Capitalist nation when anyone with an ounce of intellect blended in with common sense knows that in this day & age, there is no such thing as a purely Socialist or Capitalist nation.

To all those who are adamant in their convictions that Obama is a 'socialist' and the United States is a 'capitalist' establishment I present the following question; should the United States do away with some of these programs? the VA Hospital, US Military (tax payers), libraries, Medicare, Parks, Unemployment benefits, Schools, Police and so on? because it really boggles the mind when some decry Obama's health Care plan and call it socialist (which it isn't) and yet enjoy reaping many of the benefits provided by the government for many decades.

You see, I ask that question for the following reason: A recent survey revealed that some Tea Party activists are in actuality unemployed and are relying on government social programs for help while they stand outside those same government offices protesting 'socialism', spitting on Congressmen and calling Democrats Nazis.

There is nothing wrong with being against 'Socialism' or 'Capitalism' however, please do your homework when arguing against either; I humbly implore you to.

Sincerely yours,
Kwapi

Copyright 2010
http://www.twitter.com/kwapiv

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Liz McKibbon

at 14:30 on March 29th, 2010

Interesting opinion on the matter and I have to agree with you, but maybe you should re-title this entry. It isn't really about socialism vs. capitalism. Or maybe add a little more explaination about the two.

Mary Richard

at 16:20 on March 29th, 2010

You've named but a few "socialist" benefits provided by our government that people wouldn't dream of living without. This funny comment about socialism was floating around last week.

Rory Cripps

at 19:52 on March 29th, 2010

You're too apologetic at the outset of your piece and then too sentimental in defining your "progressive" viewpoint. Your piece is not concrete and well-grounded in fact and therefore it doesn't provide the reader with opposing viewpoints so that the reader can make up his or her own mind about who is right and who is wrong. It's essentially an ideological Rah, Rah, Rah,"talking point" piece. I can't recommend it.

Kwapi V

at 21:33 on March 29th, 2010

My 'opinion' wasn't about presenting an argument against or for either stance; it was merely to highlight the simple fact that before we debate pros and cons to either 'some' individuals should first be able to articulate their views with very little contradiction; it would take me more than 4 paragraphs to fully capture the essence of my views while presenting counter arguments but my Opinion piece is not about that; its merely to encourage some folks to first know what they are for or against instead becoming walking contradictions.

Rory Cripps

at 21:41 on March 29th, 2010

Yeah right! Your piece is completely one-sided and ideologically driven. If you can't see that then you need to get a new pair of reading glasses and crack open some history books. Tell someone else a tall tale . . . .

Kwapi V

at 21:56 on March 29th, 2010

I've cracked open a lot of history books and have taught from them too; moreover, this is an opinion piece so my assumption is that bias is quite alright; had it been a scholarly submission or a news article then I would consider that bias would be a fault; I think I state my view point clearly in the beginning; so yes, I do have a bias, but since its an 'Opinion' piece is that wrong?