Recently, US domestic politic arena is not running smooth at all.... the recession caused by financial outlaws in wall street, the impending reform for tumbling health care system... and then another coming storm from social security system.
One of the debating topic keep cycling around is the socialism and the interference of federal government. But does anyone step back and see anything wrong with socialism?
An artist came up this funny (and scary) picture to "scare" people of socialsim. While people are demanding reasonal health care and social welfare systems, do they realize those are actually the major elements in "socialism" rather than "capitalism"?? In pure capitalism there is nothing called social welfare. Does Americans realize they probably the only one "developed" country which does not have a "government option"?but complaining about the skyrocketed health care price and ripped off by someone in the system? Maybe they are the only one still promoting and tangled in this capitalism myth and hope the "invisible hand from the market" will adjust it automatically?
This is a interesting news clips
Quarter of people say capitalism fatally flawed
The most amazing comment is "The United States and Pakistan were the only two countries where more than one in five felt capitalism worked well as it stands".. .Pakistan!? that make me laugh out loud....
I have not seen Michael Moors' "Capitalism". Not strongly motivated per the experience from "Fahrenheit 9/11". But I do believe capitalism has major flaws. I think the logic of contributing current "success" of United State to capitalism is also a fraud. I see American succeed as the result of a series of furtunate events and some smart movements in the beginning of this country. To infer the result to capitalism and free market is way too limit and simplified. And there is no other case that a country changed to capitalism and democratic then turned to be "successful". See the cases in south america?.. Indeed, every country has its own culture, history background/context. It is up to the people in that country to determine what will be the best for them. Thus, I against use any mean to promote or even force others to adapt capitalism or whatever "free" market concept.
As for American. I see this romance with pure capitalism and free market is a obsolete, aged thinking and should be under review...quickly... because it is getting more dangerous and could damage this country forever.. My personal assessment is capitalism probably suit well for American in last 30, 40, 50 years... but probably not anymore.
Capitalism basically promote people from mid class or even lower class to move upward... but once the society is "developed", the only thing will happen is the upper/elite class will use it to create more harm than good. Keep in mind the resource is always limited while greedy is not. While wanting the resource to be utilized effectively, then capitalism plays well. But when resource is already limited, then capitalism will cause even more inequity and unfairness. The financial tumble is definitely the case. It is the rich people playing more than the resource they have in their hand. Why? greedy! A method of balance will be needed.
Sometime back, Chinese priminster made a comments regarding some language from US' "anti-socialism" language regarding free market,press and human right etc..:
"US should take care of itself and ensure it is own integrity, rather than keep pointing finger"
"Having proper leadership and comprehensive system to ensure the stability and development of society, and to promote equalty and welfare is the first priority. There is nothing wrong for socialism, look at today's China"
The last statement to take China as the example may not be true fully. But sadly others are correct... I am not pro-socialism, even dislike the chinese style socialsim (needless to say Russian, European socialism probably fit my taste slightly better). But there is also no point to say "you should adapt capitalism and freedom as I told you so" forcifully.
In the case while a society can development fairly and smoothly, nobody will care whether it is capitalism or socialism. Look around the world and US domestically, it is probably less stabled since the promotion of capitalism has failed its proposed objectives. Now US needs to work hard now to demostrate its own integrity and balance, after being the "bad boy" in last ten years. And also regain the stablility and fairness internally.
I am in the believe that proper mixture may be required per the position of any country, particularly today's United State. I think this country needs to sincerely and wisely review where the country is, and where the balance between capitalism and socialism stands.
