Should the US move towards socialism?

[Robert_S]

I like free enterprise and low level autonomy, but considering the state of our healthcare, the recent oil spill in the gulf, the massive real-estate speculation fuck up, our persistent income inequalities; I think it might be time to seriously consider putting the brakes on some of it.

[Jay G]

I agree, Comrade !!!!

[Eriku]

Yes.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I blame Darwin.

[Ian]

I like free enterprise and low level autonomy, but considering the state of our healthcare, the recent oil spill in the gulf, the massive real-estate speculation fuck up, our persistent income inequalities; I think it might be time to seriously consider putting the brakes on some of it.

According to an awful lot of Republicans, Obama is secretly a socialist and moving the US in that direction.

Technically they're right about the second part. The US economy has moved leftward over the last eighteen months. That's "towards" socialism, although (contrary to GOP rhetoric) it's not going to go all the way.

Regarding the short list of issues you mentioned: some very big legilsation has been passed to deal with healthcare issues and financial regulations. I'm not sure what socialism could do to prevent the oil spill, but I'd expect toughter regulations on deepwater drilling. Obama imposed a moratorium on it; we'll see what comes out of that. Ultimately, the only thing that'll stop disasters like oil spills and coal mine explosions is to move beyond shitty old technologies like oil and coal. Obama's done more to advance renewable energy (either directly or to stimulate investment) than any President before him; hardly an impressive distinction, but it's still progress. As for income inequalities; I don't know how "socialist" one wants to be, but I guarandamntee he'll let the Bush tax cuts expire. That unconscienable policy, more than anything else, is responsible for the gigantic deficits the US has been facing since Clinton left office.

[Pensioner]

I like free enterprise and low level autonomy, but considering the state of our healthcare, the recent oil spill in the gulf, the massive real-estate speculation fuck up, our persistent income inequalities; I think it might be time to seriously consider putting the brakes on some of it.

According to an awful lot of Republicans, Obama is secretly a socialist and moving the US in that direction.

Technically they're right about the second part. The US economy has moved leftward over the last eighteen months. That's "towards" socialism, although (contrary to GOP rhetoric) it's not going to go all the way.

Regarding the short list of issues you mentioned: some very big legilsation has been passed to deal with healthcare issues and financial regulations. I'm not sure what socialism could do to prevent the oil spill, but I'd expect toughter regulations on deepwater drilling. Obama imposed a moratorium on it; we'll see what comes out of that. Ultimately, the only thing that'll stop disasters like oil spills and coal mine explosions is to move beyond shitty old technologies like oil and coal. Obama's done more to advance renewable energy (either directly or to stimulate investment) than any President before him; hardly an impressive distinction, but it's still progress. As for income inequalities; I don't know how "socialist" one wants to be, but I guarandamntee he'll let the Bush tax cuts expire. That unconscienable policy, more than anything else, is responsible for the gigantic deficits the US has been facing since Clinton left office.

I would just like to comment on regulations on deepwater drilling. In Norway the company's had to have a relief well in place before they started pumping.

[sandinista]

Of course. The whole planet should, and will.

[Robert_S]

I like free enterprise and low level autonomy, but considering the state of our healthcare, the recent oil spill in the gulf, the massive real-estate speculation fuck up, our persistent income inequalities; I think it might be time to seriously consider putting the brakes on some of it.

According to an awful lot of Republicans, Obama is secretly a socialist and moving the US in that direction.

Technically they're right about the second part. The US economy has moved leftward over the last eighteen months. That's "towards" socialism, although (contrary to GOP rhetoric) it's not going to go all the way.

Regarding the short list of issues you mentioned: some very big legilsation has been passed to deal with healthcare issues and financial regulations. I'm not sure what socialism could do to prevent the oil spill, but I'd expect toughter regulations on deepwater drilling. Obama imposed a moratorium on it; we'll see what comes out of that. Ultimately, the only thing that'll stop disasters like oil spills and coal mine explosions is to move beyond shitty old technologies like oil and coal. Obama's done more to advance renewable energy (either directly or to stimulate investment) than any President before him; hardly an impressive distinction, but it's still progress. As for income inequalities; I don't know how "socialist" one wants to be, but I guarandamntee he'll let the Bush tax cuts expire. That unconscienable policy, more than anything else, is responsible for the gigantic deficits the US has been facing since Clinton left office.

About the BP spill, from all what I've heard, it was the pursuit of profits that led to the shoddy job on that well. I'm entertaining the idea that we might be better off by nationalising our petroleum industry.

[Ian]

About the BP spill, from all what I've heard, it was the pursuit of profits that led to the shoddy job on that well. I'm entertaining the idea that we might be better off by nationalising our petroleum industry.

Nationalizing it??? Fugheddaboutit. That'll never happen, not here anyway. Regulating it up to safe levels ought to do it. I'm hopeful that will happen.

Ownership really isn't relevant. Whether it's a private company or the government who owns the well, what matters is adequate regulation. Some of the worst environmental disasters in history happened in socialist countries (USSR, the early PRC) whose governments owned their own industries and whose pursuit of production mattered more to them than environmental concerns.

[Jay G]

I like free enterprise and low level autonomy, but considering the state of our healthcare, the recent oil spill in the gulf, the massive real-estate speculation fuck up, our persistent income inequalities; I think it might be time to seriously consider putting the brakes on some of it.

According to an awful lot of Republicans, Obama is secretly a socialist and moving the US in that direction.

Technically they're right about the second part. The US economy has moved leftward over the last eighteen months. That's "towards" socialism, although (contrary to GOP rhetoric) it's not going to go all the way.

Regarding the short list of issues you mentioned: some very big legilsation has been passed to deal with healthcare issues and financial regulations. I'm not sure what socialism could do to prevent the oil spill, but I'd expect toughter regulations on deepwater drilling. Obama imposed a moratorium on it; we'll see what comes out of that. Ultimately, the only thing that'll stop disasters like oil spills and coal mine explosions is to move beyond shitty old technologies like oil and coal. Obama's done more to advance renewable energy (either directly or to stimulate investment) than any President before him; hardly an impressive distinction, but it's still progress. As for income inequalities; I don't know how "socialist" one wants to be, but I guarandamntee he'll let the Bush tax cuts expire. That unconscienable policy, more than anything else, is responsible for the gigantic deficits the US has been facing since Clinton left office.

About the BP spill, from all what I've heard, it was the pursuit of profits that led to the shoddy job on that well. I'm entertaining the idea that we might be better off by nationalising our petroleum industry.

Hey, this is America, pal. Keep your hands off our big oil companies and our guns.

[Trolldor]

Nationalise energy, healthcare and transport. Put competent people in charge.

[Pensioner]

Ian the USSR was as much a socialist country as my left bollock.

[Ian]

Nationalise energy, healthcare and transport. Put competent people in charge.

Competent people meaning the government? Some might argue that's a contradiction in terms...

I wouldn't, really, but some would.

[Jay G]

Ian the USSR was as much a socialist country as my left bollock.

The industries in the USSR were state controlled.

[Trolldor]

Nonsense. There are perfectly competent Government workers, they just never get anywhere.